Specialized outpatient palliative care (SAPV) Basics, indications and prescription in clinical practice

Specialized outpatient palliative care (SAPV) was introduced by the legislature in 2007 in 37b of the German Social Code Book V (SGBV) as a form of care for people with a life-limiting illness and an increased complexity of care. It is therefore only required by some of the palliative patients. It is intended to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions and to enable those affected to remain in their home environment in a dignified manner despite a complex illness and to be accompanied there until death. Initially introduced as a form of care for adults, the need for expansion to children and adolescents with life-limiting illnesses soon became apparent, so that care was supplemented in 2011 with specialized pediatric palliative care (SAPPV). Both SAPV and SAPPV involve the use of a specialized and multiprofessional palliative care team (PCT), which is characterized by 24-h accessibility and special qualifications, thus providing comprehensive support. This is provided in addition to general outpatient palliative care (AAPV) and aims to maintain, promote and, if possible, improve the quality of life and self-determination at the end of life as much as possible. The SAPV is a health insurance benefit and requires a prescription via form 63 by a physician.