Assessment tools

• Needs Assessment Tool for Progressive Disease (NAT:PD)
  From Centre for Health Research and Psycho-oncology Used in both generalist and specialist settings, the Needs Assessment Tool: Progressive Disease (NAT: PD) can assist in matching the types and levels of need experienced by people with progressive chronic diseases (eg cancer, heart failure, COPD) and their caregivers with the most appropriate people or services to address those needs.

• The PEPSICOLA aide memoire
  A palliative care monthly review checklist from Gold Standards Framework website

• The modified Karnofsky scale
  For assessing performance state and prognosis in advanced disease

• Validation of the Australian-modified Karnofsky Performance Scale
  From BMC Palliative Care

• The ECOG score
  For assessing performance state and prognosis in advanced cancer

• Summary of prognostic tools commonly used in palliative care
  From Gold Standards Framework (UK)

• The Palliative Care Network of Wisconsin, US
  Produces factsheets including:
  • Pain assessment in the cognitively impaired
  • Paediatric pain assessment scales
  • Prognostication in heart failure
  • Prognosis in end-stage COPD
  • Prognosis in decompensated liver failure
  • Prognostication in dementia

• Abbey Pain Scale
  To assess pain in the patient who is cognitively impaired or unable to communicate verbally

• Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia - PAINAD Scale
  Validated tool for use in dementia

• Symptom review - SAS
  The standard symptom assessment tool used in Australian palliative care services.
  Assesses 7 core symptoms.

• Symptom review - Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale
  Used for a more extensive assessment of physical and psychological problems

• Delirium – Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)
  Validated screening tool for delirium from The Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, New York University