Palliative care a partnership across the continuum of care

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-26-2016

Abstract

Palliative care services are becoming more prevalent in the United States as greater portions of the population are requiring end-of-life services. Furthermore, recent policy changes and service foci have promoted more continuity and encompassing care. This study evaluates characteristics that distinguish hospitals with a palliative care programfrom hospitalswithout such a programin order to better define the markets and environments that promote the creation and usage of these programs. This study demonstrates that palliative care programs are more likely in communities with favorable economic factors and higher Medicare populations. Large hospitals with high occupancy rates and a high case mix index use palliative care programs to better meet patient needs and improve hospital efficiency. Managerial, nursing, and policy implications are discussed relating to further usage and implementation of palliative care programs.

Publication Title

Health Care Manager

Volume

35

Issue

3

First Page

189

Last Page

198

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1097/HCM.0000000000000115

PubMed ID

27455361

ISSN

15255794

E-ISSN

1550512X

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