Cirrhosis Care: Practical Tips You Can Use in Your Practice Today

Gastroenterology (Digestive Health)

Liver cirrhosis is a chronic condition that results from vascular and hepatocellular injury, and leads to progressive hepatic fibrosis. It is a major cause of morbidity and premature mortality in patients with digestive disease. Given that 90-day readmission rates are as high as 44% in Alberta, addressing care gaps in hospitalized patients with cirrhosis is important for improved patient outcomes and health system sustainability. Three priority areas include managing cirrhosis complications, advanced care planning and managing broader health needs such as frailty or alcohol use disorder, and preparing for transitions of care into the community with structured education and timely follow-up post discharge.

As part of our support for the cirrhosis care program, the PLP hosted a six-part webinar series in winter 2021, in partnership with Cirrhosis Care Alberta and the Office of Lifelong Learning at the University of Alberta. This project was led by PLP Medical Director Dr. Puneeta Tandon, and featured six speakers from North America. The aim of the cirrhosis webinar series was to provide a range of practitioners (family physicians, internists, and gastroenterologists) with the “why” and “how” of addressing each of these major care gaps. The live webinars drew a national audience, and the recordings have subsequently been viewed 540 times. Topics included diagnosis, alcohol use, treatment, pain, and palliative care, with a focus on practical clinical tips and information.