Previous studies have shown that duration of stay in hospice has been growing shorter since the mid-1990s, with median lengths of stay of under three weeks in 1997 according to some news reports from state hospice associations. Quality of care in hospice is closely tied to lengths of stay of between two and six months, with working relationships of patient and family with hospice care teams optimized at around two months. As one of Medicare's missions is to promote high quality care to Medicare beneficiaries, Medicare is interested in monitoring trends in duration of stay in hospice. The present study shows these trends by underlying condition, age, ethnicity (black, white, other) and sex in the Northeastern United States between 1995-1999.
Learning Objectives: This presentation will enable participants to identify trends in length of stay by Medicare beneficiaries in hospices in the U.S. Northeast over the past five years. They should be able to define factors associated with varying lengths of stay and list conditions associated with both long and shorter durations of stay
Keywords: Access and Services, Medicare
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.