HOSPICE

In 2010, 41.9% had care (1 million/2.5 million) In addition,  35.3% died or were discharged within" rel="nofollow">in 7 days  27% were 8-29 days  17.2% were 30- 89 days  8.7% were 90-179 days  11.8% were other Median LOS= 19.7 days Top 5 diagnoses for death: 1. Cancer: 35.6% 2. Heart: 14.3% 3. Dementia: 13% 4. Unspecified: 13% 5. Lung Disease: 8.3% 66.7% =hospice patients died at home. 21.9%= hospice died in" rel="nofollow">in an in" rel="nofollow">inpatient facility 11.4% = died in" rel="nofollow">in an in" rel="nofollow">inpatient acute care hospital Distribution: Caucasian = 77.3% African-American = 8.9% Multiracial= 11% Common scales for prognostication: I. Karnofsky Performance Scale: (KPS) If <40 median survival is less than 3 months II. Palliative Performance (PPS) If PPS ≤ 60 Median survival can be measured in" rel="nofollow">in weeks III. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) or WHO/Zubrod If >3 median survival IV. Palliative Prognostic Score (PaP)= measured in" rel="nofollow">in weeks Identify which parameter needs the most work. Granted we have come quite a long way from almost no one receivin" rel="nofollow">ing the services of hospice but there is always a better performance. Once you have selected the parameter, consider the best way to address this deficit. You must design at least two different in" rel="nofollow">interventions to address the deficiency that will help change thin" rel="nofollow">ings so that future generations will enjoy the benefits of hospice.