SNF Palliative Care: Consultant/Internal Hybrid Model
Adults with chronic illnesses visit the emergency department (ED) several times in their last months of life, with more than half of older Americans presenting in their last month, and many dying in the ED.
Research supports early palliative care in the ED to improve quality of life as well as to reduce costs that may have been associated with alternate treatments.
Some additional benefits from early palliative care interventions in the ED include resource management, improved satisfaction for patients and their families, improved outcomes, decreased length of stay, less use of intensive care units and less cost, and increased appropriate direct hospice consults.
Author
Catherine J. Mauriello, ANP-BC, ACHPN
Palliative Nurse Practitioner
Gilchrist
11311 McCormick Road, Suite 350
Hunt Valley, MD 21044