Objectives: To provide support for the early integration of palliative care into the care of hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients and families with the goal of improving care.
Data sources: Journal articles and on-line databases.
Conclusion: Early integration of palliative care for HCT recipients at high risk for complex symptom clusters, non-relapse mortality, or relapse offers an opportunity to clarify goals of care, advanced care planning, and improving the quality of care for both recipients and families.
Implications for nursing practice: The palliative care service can support the HCT nurse in providing complex care to HCT recipients who are faced with significant side effects, toxicities, and complications of transplant.
Keywords: Hematopoietic cell transplantation; advanced care planning; goals of care; palliative care.