Northwest cancer specialists (ncs) cares: coordinated, advocacy, resources, education, and support: a palliative care program in an outpatient oncology practice.

A large community-based oncology practice developed a pilot project to enhance staff and patient awareness of the benefits of palliative care, advance care planning, and earlier intervention with patients with advancing disease. The results were ongoing implementation of palliative care conferences at all sites, greater numbers of referral to hospice, lessened chemotherapy given in the last 2 weeks of life, and the hiring of two social workers as a result of needs identified. Staff reported greater satisfaction with interprofessional communication.