Palliative Care Assessment Checklist

Comprehensive palliative care assessment including symptom management, goals of care discussion, and psychosocial support.

  • Industry: Healthcare
  • Frequency: Initial/Ongoing
  • Estimated Time: 30-45 minutes
  • Role: Palliative Care Team
  • Total Items: 30
  • Compliance: NCP Clinical Practice Guidelines, Joint Commission Palliative Care, NHPCO Standards

Symptom Assessment

Physical symptoms

  • Pain assessed and managed?
  • Dyspnea assessed?
  • Nausea/vomiting assessed?
  • Fatigue assessed?
  • Other symptoms addressed?

Goals of Care

Care planning

  • Prognosis discussed?
  • Patient/family goals explored?
  • Treatment options reviewed?
  • Advance directives discussed?

Psychosocial Support

Emotional and social needs

  • Coping and adjustment assessed?
  • Spiritual needs assessed?
  • Family support assessed?
  • Social work referral if needed?

Care Coordination

Interdisciplinary care

  • Palliative care team communication?
  • Primary team updated?
  • Hospice discussed if appropriate?

Pre-Assessment Information

Initial assessment documentation and patient/facility identification

  • Assessor Name / Credentials
  • Assessment Date
  • Department / Unit
  • Assessment Type (Routine/Annual/Complaint)
  • Previous assessment findings reviewed?

Infection Prevention & Control

Verify infection control practices per CDC and Joint Commission standards

  • Hand hygiene compliance observed?
  • Appropriate PPE available and properly used?
  • Isolation precautions properly implemented?
  • Sharps containers available and not overfilled?
  • High-touch surfaces properly disinfected?

Patient Safety & Identification

Verify patient safety protocols and identification procedures

  • Two patient identifiers used before procedures?
  • Fall risk assessment completed?
  • Call light within patient reach?
  • Bed in lowest position with brakes locked?

Related Healthcare Checklists

Related Health Services Checklists

Why Use This Palliative Care Assessment Checklist?

This palliative care assessment checklist helps healthcare teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for palliative care team professionals, this checklist covers 30 critical inspection points across 7 sections. Recommended frequency: initial/ongoing.

Ensures compliance with NCP Clinical Practice Guidelines, Joint Commission Palliative Care, NHPCO Standards. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Palliative Care Assessment Checklist cover?

This checklist covers 30 inspection items across 7 sections: Symptom Assessment, Goals of Care, Psychosocial Support, Care Coordination, Pre-Assessment Information, Infection Prevention & Control, Patient Safety & Identification. It is designed for healthcare operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed initial/ongoing. Each completion takes approximately 30-45 minutes.

Who should use this Palliative Care Assessment Checklist?

This checklist is designed for Palliative Care Team professionals in the healthcare industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.

Browse More Checklists