Helping Patients, Saving Money

Special palliative care teams that focus on relieving pain and meeting the needs of the most seriously ill patients could save the average community hospital as much as $1.3 million per year, according to researchers. A study by Dr. Sean Morrison and colleagues from the National Palliative Care Research Center in Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York involved comparing use of palliative care teams with traditional hospital care in caring for the 5 to 10 percent of the sickest patients.

The team reviewed records of 3,000 patients who were served by palliative care teams and were discharged alive, as well as 2,600 patients who received the palliative care approach and died. Their cases then were matched to similar patients who received typical hospital care. Patients received fewer tests and ICU costs were greatly reduced among those cared for by palliative care teams. According to Morrison, many patients typically receive tests and interventions that paper records indicate they do not want.

The study found that palliative care programs saved hospitals from $279 to $374 per patient per day or about $1,700 to $4,900 per admission of a palliative care patient. Morrison said the palliative care consultation teams also can lighten the loads of other specialists. He offered pain management for cancer patients as an example, which can support the care of medical oncologists.

The study appears in the Sept. 8, 2008, issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.