Missed opportunities: Patterns of medical care and hospice utilization among ovarian cancer patients

Methods Ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer patients registered at our institution during 2007-2011 were identified. Statistical analyses included Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney, Chi-square analysis, and multivariate analysis.

Objectives To assess aggressive medical care, hospice utilization, and advance care documentation among ovarian cancer patients in the final thirty days of life.

Results 183 patients met inclusion criteria. Median age at diagnosis was 58. Most were white and had advanced ovarian cancer. Fifty percent had experienced at least one form of aggressive care during the last 30 days of life. Patients with provider recommendations to enroll in hospice were more likely to do so (OR 27.7, p = < 0.001), with a median hospice stay of 18 days before death. Seventy-five percent had an in-hospital DNR order and 33% had an out-of-hospital DNR order. These orders were created a median of 15 and 12 days prior to death, respectively. Twenty-eight percent had a Medical Power of Attorney and 20% had a Living Will. These documents were created a median of 381 and 378 days prior to death, respectively.

Conclusions Many ovarian cancer patients underwent some form of aggressive medical care in the last 30 days of life. The time between hospice enrollment and death was short. Patients created Medical Power of Attorney and Living Will documents far in advance of death. DNR orders were initiated close to death.