Palliative Care ReferralNCT06984471
Characteristics of Patients in the ICU With Palliative Care Consults in a Tertiary University Hospital
An observational study of Palliative Care Referral, run by University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland at 1 site in Switzerland.
Trial summary
The aim of this retrospective observational single-center cohort study is to investigate the factors associated with palliative care (PC) referral, examine intensive care unit (ICU) involvement before, during, or after the referral, and evaluate patient outcomes such as mortality, hospital and ICU length of stay… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Palliative Care Referral
- What is being tested?
- Palliative care consult
- How many people
- 532 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSwitzerland
- Study dates
- 1 May 2025to Dec 2029
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: All consecutive adult patients (i.e. >= 18 years of age) that received a palliative care consult in the same hospitalization as their ICU stay at the University Hospital Basel between 2019 and until the end of 2024. .
Who may be able to join
- Adult patients (i.e., patients ≥18 years of age)
- Palliative care consult either before, during or after a ICU stay at the University Hospital Basel between 2019 and until the end of 2024
Who cannot join
- Patients younger than 18 years
- Patients with documented refusal to use data
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Switzerland1 site
University Hospital Basel, Clinic for Intensive Care Medicine
Basel, 4031
About this study
The aim of this retrospective observational single-center cohort study is to investigate the factors associated with palliative care (PC) referral, examine intensive care unit (ICU) involvement before, during, or after the referral, and evaluate patient outcomes such as mortality, hospital and ICU length of stay, discharge destination, functional status, symptom management, and the content of PC consultation reports.
Read the detailed description
Palliative care (PC) in the intensive care unit (ICU) can improve care for critically ill patients by supporting decision-making, managing symptoms, and planning for end-of-life care. Early referral to PC has been linked to more do-not-resuscitate and do-not-intubate decisions, fewer ICU procedures, and more transfers to hospice care. However, PC is still underused in many ICUs, partly because doctors often overestimate patient survival. Most referral guidelines are based on older patients or those with serious conditions, which may not apply to younger or potentially recovering patients.
Existing studies mostly focus on survival or length of stay, with limited information on symptoms, functional recovery, or patient comfort. Some research suggests that PC needs are often not well met in the ICU.
This retrospective single-center cohort study aims to better understand when and why ICU patients are referred to PC, how their care changes, and what outcomes follow. It will also examine symptom management, functional outcomes, and recommendations made by the PC team.
The results of this study may help improve the timing and use of PC in the ICU to better support patient needs.
- Conditions
- Palliative Care Referral
- Being tested
- Palliative care consult
- Keywords
- Intensive Care Unit
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Palliative care consultOther
A palliative care (PC) consult involves a specialized palliative care team to provide symptom management, psychosocial support, and assistance with goals-of-care discussions for patients with serious or life-limiting illnesses.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Before ICU stay | Adult patients with a PC consult before an ICU stay at the University Hospital Basel between 2019 and until the end of 2024. Receives: Other: Palliative care consult | |
| During ICU stay | Adult patients with a PC consult during an ICU stay at the University Hospital Basel between 2019 and until the end of 2024. Receives: Other: Palliative care consult | |
| After ICU stay | Adult patients with a PC consult after an ICU stay at the University Hospital Basel between 2019 and until the end of 2024. Receives: Other: Palliative care consult |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Patient demographics
Demographic information (e.g. age, sex) is collected.
Measured: 2019-2024
Acute prehospital management data
Data from acute prehospital management, as documented in emergency medical services (EMS) treatment protocols, is collected. The collected data elements are aggregated to describe the overall EMS response.
Measured: 2019-2024
Duration of intensive care unit stay
The length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay is recorded.
Measured: 2019-2024
Duration of hospital stay
The length of the total hospital stay is recorded.
Measured: 2019-2024
Discharge destination
The destination at discharge is recorded.
Measured: 2019-2024
Date of palliative care consult
The specific date of palliative care consult is documented.
Measured: 2019-2024
Reason for palliative care consult
The documented reason for palliative care consult is analyzed.
Measured: 2019-2024
Place of palliative care consult
The specific place of palliative care consult is documented.
Measured: 2019-2024
Number of visits by the palliative care team
The number of visits by the palliative care team is analyzed.
Measured: 2019-2024
Additional features of the palliative care consult
Assessment of additional features related to the palliative care consult (changes in management, referral for psychiatric or psychological evaluation, treatment recommendations, etc.) documented in the medical records or consult report. These features are aggregated to characterize the scope, complexity, and potential impact of the palliative care consultation on the patient's overall treatment and care trajectory.
Measured: 2019-2024
Comprehensive assessment of the neurological status based on validated clinical assessment
Neurological status during ICU stay is assessed using available data in the patient register from validated neurological assessments. These may include the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS), Sedation-Agitation Scale (SAS), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC), or Status Epilepticus Severity Score (STESS). The specific tool used, as well as the scale of the score and meaning behind the score, depends on routine clinical practice and available documentation in the register. If multiple scores are available for a patient, they will be aggregated to provide a comprehensive assessment of neurological status. This outcome will be reported as a descriptive summary, synthesizing findings across tools, rather than as a single quantitative score.
Measured: 2019-2024
Comprehensive assessment of critical illness severity based on standardized scoring systems
Disease severity during ICU stay is assessed using standardized scoring systems, including the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II), Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS II), and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), depending on data availability in the patient register. The specific scoring system applied, as well as the scale and interpretation of the score, varies based on routine clinical practice and available documentation. Where multiple severity scores are available, they will be synthesized to provide a descriptive summary of overall illness severity rather than a single quantitative score.
Measured: 2019-2024
Charlson Comorbidity Index
The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) is calculated based on pre-existing comorbidities and additional diagnoses. The CCI predicts the ten-year mortality for a patient who may have a range of comorbid conditions. It assigns weighted scores (from 0 to maximal 6) to 17 comorbid conditions (e.g., heart disease, diabetes, cancer), resulting in a total score ranging from 0 to 33, if the patient had the most severe form of each of the 17 conditions.
Measured: 2019-2024
Laboratory parameters
Routine laboratory value for e.g. C-Reactive Protein (CRP), albumin, Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), Creatine Kinase (CK), procalcitonin, white blood cell levels, creatinine, liver enzymes, blood gas analyses, metabolic data, etc. is collected. The specific parameters recorded may vary depending on the laboratory assessments documented in the patient register. All values will be reported using their respective units of measurement.These parameters are aggregated to support an overall clinical interpretation rather than a single numerical value. This approach reflects standard clinical practice, where multiple lab values are considered together to assess a patient's condition.
Measured: 2019-2024
Complications associated with palliative Care consult
The complications occurring during or after the palliative care consultation are recorded, including inadequate symptom control, dissatisfaction expressed by the patient or relatives, cardiac arrest, unplanned emergency transfers to the ICU, and poor functional outcomes.
Measured: 2019-2024
Glasgow Outcome Score
The Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) is calculated based on the assessment of key clinical outcomes such as inhospital mortality, survival, survival with neurofunctional alteration, return to premorbid neurological function, and hospital readmission to determine the patient outcome.
The GOS ranges from 1 (death) to 5 (good recovery).
Measured: 2019-2024
Therapeutic intervention
The therapeutic intervention is documented, including information on duration, dosage and number of treatment medication, number of neuroleptic, sedative and analgesic drugs, invasive procedures, such as intubation, mechanical, ventilation, vasopressors, installation of central lines, nutrition, etc.
Measured: 2019-2024
Vital signs
Vital signs are analyzed based on the data available in the patient register. These may include blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, body temperature, level of consciousness, etc. The specific parameters recorded depend on the clinical documentation available. All values will be reported using their respective units of measurement. These values are aggregated to support an overall clinical assessment rather than a single numerical score. This reflects standard practice, where multiple vital signs are interpreted together to evaluate a patient's condition.
Measured: 2019-2024
Fluid balance data
Fluid balance data, including the administration of fluids such as blood products, crystalloids, and enteral/parenteral nutrition, are documented. These components are aggregated to represent overall fluid input for each patient.
Measured: 2019-2024
Assessment of diagnostic procedure
The diagnostic procedures performed during intensive care-whether invasive (e.g., lumbar puncture, central line placement) or non-invasive (e.g., radiologic imaging, ultrasound)-are systematically documented. Additionally, if physical restraints are used to ensure patient safety or procedural success, their usage are also recorded.
Measured: 2019-2024
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 May 2025
- Study start1 May 2025
- Primary completionDec 2029 (estimated)
- Study completionDec 2029 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Palliative Care ReferralStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University Hospital, Basel, SwitzerlandThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Retrospective
- Enrolment
- 532 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Raoul Sutter, Prof. Dr. med., Principal investigator, University Hospital Basel, Clinic for Intensive Care Medicine
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06984471
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2025-00734; am25Sutter4
- Other IDs
- 2025
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 8 May 2025
- Last updated
- 17 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 17 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Characteristics of Patients in the ICU With Palliative Care Consults in a Tertiary University Hospital
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06984471
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2025-00734; am25Sutter4
- Conditions
- Palliative Care Referral
- Keywords
- Intensive Care Unit
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 532 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University Hospital, Basel, SwitzerlandUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 May 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Dec 2029 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Dec 2029 (estimated)
- First posted
- 22 May 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The aim of this retrospective observational single-center cohort study is to investigate the factors associated with palliative care (PC) referral, examine intensive care unit (ICU) involvement before, during, or after the referral, and evaluate patient outcomes such as mortality, hospital and ICU length of stay, discharge destination, functional status, symptom management, and the content of PC consultation reports.
Detailed description
Palliative care (PC) in the intensive care unit (ICU) can improve care for critically ill patients by supporting decision-making, managing symptoms, and planning for end-of-life care. Early referral to PC has been linked to more do-not-resuscitate and do-not-intubate decisions, fewer ICU procedures, and more transfers to hospice care. However, PC is still underused in many ICUs, partly because doctors often overestimate patient survival. Most referral guidelines are based on older patients or those with serious conditions, which may not apply to younger or potentially recovering patients.
Existing studies mostly focus on survival or length of stay, with limited information on symptoms, functional recovery, or patient comfort. Some research suggests that PC needs are often not well met in the ICU.
This retrospective single-center cohort study aims to better understand when and why ICU patients are referred to PC, how their care changes, and what outcomes follow. It will also examine symptom management, functional outcomes, and recommendations made by the PC team.
The results of this study may help improve the timing and use of PC in the ICU to better support patient needs.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Retrospective
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Before ICU stay | – | Other: Palliative care consultAdult patients with a PC consult before an ICU stay at the University Hospital Basel between 2019 and until the end of 2024. |
| During ICU stay | – | Other: Palliative care consultAdult patients with a PC consult during an ICU stay at the University Hospital Basel between 2019 and until the end of 2024. |
| After ICU stay | – | Other: Palliative care consultAdult patients with a PC consult after an ICU stay at the University Hospital Basel between 2019 and until the end of 2024. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- All consecutive adult patients (i.e. >= 18 years of age) that received a palliative care consult in the same hospitalization as their ICU stay at the University Hospital Basel between 2019 and until the end of 2024. .
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Adult patients (i.e., patients ≥18 years of age)
- Palliative care consult either before, during or after a ICU stay at the University Hospital Basel between 2019 and until the end of 2024
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Patients younger than 18 years
- Patients with documented refusal to use data
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Palliative care consultA palliative care (PC) consult involves a specialized palliative care team to provide symptom management, psychosocial support, and assistance with goals-of-care discussions for patients with serious or life-limiting illnesses. | Other | After ICU stay, Before ICU stay, During ICU stay |
Primary outcome
Patient demographics
Time frame: 2019-2024
Demographic information (e.g. age, sex) is collected.
Acute prehospital management data
Time frame: 2019-2024
Data from acute prehospital management, as documented in emergency medical services (EMS) treatment protocols, is collected. The collected data elements are aggregated to describe the overall EMS response.
Duration of intensive care unit stay
Time frame: 2019-2024
The length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay is recorded.
Duration of hospital stay
Time frame: 2019-2024
The length of the total hospital stay is recorded.
Discharge destination
Time frame: 2019-2024
The destination at discharge is recorded.
Date of palliative care consult
Time frame: 2019-2024
The specific date of palliative care consult is documented.
Reason for palliative care consult
Time frame: 2019-2024
The documented reason for palliative care consult is analyzed.
Place of palliative care consult
Time frame: 2019-2024
The specific place of palliative care consult is documented.
Number of visits by the palliative care team
Time frame: 2019-2024
The number of visits by the palliative care team is analyzed.
Additional features of the palliative care consult
Time frame: 2019-2024
Assessment of additional features related to the palliative care consult (changes in management, referral for psychiatric or psychological evaluation, treatment recommendations, etc.) documented in the medical records or consult report. These features are aggregated to characterize the scope, complexity, and potential impact of the palliative care consultation on the patient's overall treatment and care trajectory.
Comprehensive assessment of the neurological status based on validated clinical assessment
Time frame: 2019-2024
Neurological status during ICU stay is assessed using available data in the patient register from validated neurological assessments. These may include the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS), Sedation-Agitation Scale (SAS), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC), or Status Epilepticus Severity Score (STESS). The specific tool used, as well as the scale of the score and meaning behind the score, depends on routine clinical practice and available documentation in the register. If multiple scores are available for a patient, they will be aggregated to provide a comprehensive assessment of neurological status. This outcome will be reported as a descriptive summary, synthesizing findings across tools, rather than as a single quantitative score.
Comprehensive assessment of critical illness severity based on standardized scoring systems
Time frame: 2019-2024
Disease severity during ICU stay is assessed using standardized scoring systems, including the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II), Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS II), and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), depending on data availability in the patient register. The specific scoring system applied, as well as the scale and interpretation of the score, varies based on routine clinical practice and available documentation. Where multiple severity scores are available, they will be synthesized to provide a descriptive summary of overall illness severity rather than a single quantitative score.
Charlson Comorbidity Index
Time frame: 2019-2024
The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) is calculated based on pre-existing comorbidities and additional diagnoses. The CCI predicts the ten-year mortality for a patient who may have a range of comorbid conditions. It assigns weighted scores (from 0 to maximal 6) to 17 comorbid conditions (e.g., heart disease, diabetes, cancer), resulting in a total score ranging from 0 to 33, if the patient had the most severe form of each of the 17 conditions.
Laboratory parameters
Time frame: 2019-2024
Routine laboratory value for e.g. C-Reactive Protein (CRP), albumin, Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), Creatine Kinase (CK), procalcitonin, white blood cell levels, creatinine, liver enzymes, blood gas analyses, metabolic data, etc. is collected. The specific parameters recorded may vary depending on the laboratory assessments documented in the patient register. All values will be reported using their respective units of measurement.These parameters are aggregated to support an overall clinical interpretation rather than a single numerical value. This approach reflects standard clinical practice, where multiple lab values are considered together to assess a patient's condition.
Complications associated with palliative Care consult
Time frame: 2019-2024
The complications occurring during or after the palliative care consultation are recorded, including inadequate symptom control, dissatisfaction expressed by the patient or relatives, cardiac arrest, unplanned emergency transfers to the ICU, and poor functional outcomes.
Glasgow Outcome Score
Time frame: 2019-2024
The Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) is calculated based on the assessment of key clinical outcomes such as inhospital mortality, survival, survival with neurofunctional alteration, return to premorbid neurological function, and hospital readmission to determine the patient outcome. The GOS ranges from 1 (death) to 5 (good recovery).
Therapeutic intervention
Time frame: 2019-2024
The therapeutic intervention is documented, including information on duration, dosage and number of treatment medication, number of neuroleptic, sedative and analgesic drugs, invasive procedures, such as intubation, mechanical, ventilation, vasopressors, installation of central lines, nutrition, etc.
Vital signs
Time frame: 2019-2024
Vital signs are analyzed based on the data available in the patient register. These may include blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, body temperature, level of consciousness, etc. The specific parameters recorded depend on the clinical documentation available. All values will be reported using their respective units of measurement. These values are aggregated to support an overall clinical assessment rather than a single numerical score. This reflects standard practice, where multiple vital signs are interpreted together to evaluate a patient's condition.
Fluid balance data
Time frame: 2019-2024
Fluid balance data, including the administration of fluids such as blood products, crystalloids, and enteral/parenteral nutrition, are documented. These components are aggregated to represent overall fluid input for each patient.
Assessment of diagnostic procedure
Time frame: 2019-2024
The diagnostic procedures performed during intensive care-whether invasive (e.g., lumbar puncture, central line placement) or non-invasive (e.g., radiologic imaging, ultrasound)-are systematically documented. Additionally, if physical restraints are used to ensure patient safety or procedural success, their usage are also recorded.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 17 Jun 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Raoul Sutter, Prof. Dr. med. principal investigator
University Hospital Basel, Clinic for Intensive Care Medicine
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Palliative Care Referral, run by University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland at 1 site in Switzerland.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 17 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Switzerland. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Patient demographics (time frame: 2019-2024). The study lists 20 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 17 Jun 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 8 Nov 2026.