Document Detail


Health economics of a palliative care unit for terminal cancer patients: a retrospective cohort study.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21110045     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Data-Review    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate cost-reduction efficacy of a palliative care unit (PCU) by analyzing medical expenses of terminal cancer patients.
METHODS: Hospital bills and medical records of 656 patients who died of cancer from January to December 2007 at one university hospital in Seoul were analyzed.
RESULTS: Of the total 656 patients, 126 died in the PCU. Compared to non-PCU patients, PCU patients were more likely to permit do-not-resuscitate (DNR), visit the emergency room (ER), and receive palliative chemotherapy (P < 0.001, P = 0.045, P = 0.002). The non-PCU patients were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), used a ventilator, and received hemodialysis more often (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001). Total medical cost per all patients within 6 months of death averaged $27,863. There was a significant difference in medical costs starting at 2 months before death between PCU and non-PCU patients. The medical cost of the PCU group was 32.8% lower 1 month before death and 33.0% lower 2 months before death than the non-PCU group (P < 0.001, P < 0.001). Patients using PCU services, those with solid cancers, and those with less than a high school education paid lower medical expenses (P < 0.05)
CONCLUSION: Cost savings of the PCU were verified. It was also determined that specific factors were tied to increased medical expenses during the last 6 months of life. If these parameters are controlled properly, additional cost savings, associated with palliative care could be realized.
Authors:
Hyun-Myung Jung; Jinhyun Kim; Dae Seog Heo; Sun Kyung Baek
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article     Date:  2010-11-26
Journal Detail:
Title:  Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer     Volume:  20     ISSN:  1433-7339     ISO Abbreviation:  Support Care Cancer     Publication Date:  2012 Jan 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-11-25     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9302957     Medline TA:  Support Care Cancer     Country:  Germany    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  29-37     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Seoul Metropolitan Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea.
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