Abstract:
<h4>Objectives</h4>To explore how interRAI assessments could be used to identify opportunities to integrate palliative care into a plan of care.<h4>Methods</h4>A population-based, cross-sectional design using unique identifiers to link deaths with a national interRAI database. Data were analysed using logistic regression models and chi-square tests.<h4>Results</h4>A total of 4869 people died over a 12-month period in one district health board area; 50.9% (n = 2478) received one or more interRAI assessments in the year before death. Diagnosis impacted on the type and timing of interRAI assessments and the recognition of end-stage disease.<h4>Conclusion</h4>People in the last year of life experience frequent interRAI assessments. There are opportunities to identify people who might benefit from a palliative care approach. Future research is needed to understand how interRAI assessors can be supported in the application of assessment items related to palliative care.
