Patients receiving palliative care differ from other hospitalized patients, as their condition is expected to decline as part of their overall disease progression. As such, adverse events are likely to be different for this population. In this study, the Global Trigger Tool (GTT) was tested for suitability and appropriateness of identifying adverse events in patients receiving palliative care. Of the 26 cases identified by the GTT, 16 were considered part of the patient's disease trajectory or known consequences of treatment. The GTT had poor positive predictive value for adverse events in palliative care.