Cost Savings Associated With US Hospital Palliative Care Consultation Programs

Living With Advanced Illness: Longitudinal Study of Patient, Family, and Caregiver Needs

“…10,[23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] Increased median longevity was observed among patients with small-cell lung cancer in early referral outpatient palliative care settings versus usual care. 32 Patients provided with inpatient palliative care consults were less likely to die in intensive care units and more likely to receive hospice referrals.…”

End-of-Life Care for Hospitalized Patients with Lung Cancer: Utilization of a Palliative Care Service

“…10 Evidence emerging from randomized controlled trials supports the effectiveness of palliative care intervention for symptom relief, patient/family satisfaction, quality of life and cost. 17,18 Palliative care consultation facilitates earlier and more frequent hospice referral and lower hospital mortality. [19][20][21] Hospice care offers an alternative to life-prolonging inpatient care and is associated with better symptom control, improved patient and family satisfaction, and feelings of respect and inclusion in care decisions.…”

Failing better: a new paradigm of care

“…In one landmark study, palliative care patients discharged alive had an adjusted net direct cost savings of nearly $1700, while the cost savings approached $5000 for patients who died in the hospital [7]. When palliative care consultation leads to lower hospitalization costs, length-of-stay, and readmission rates, hospital administrators take note and hospital investments in palliative consult services continue to steadily rise [8].…”