The Southern Medical Journal (SMJ) is the official, peer-reviewed journal of the Southern Medical Association. It has a multidisciplinary and inter-professional focus that covers a broad range of topics relevant to physicians and other healthcare specialists.
SMJ // Article
Primary Article
People and Dollars: The Experience of One Hospice
Abstract
ABSTRACT: The Hospice of the North Shore (HONS) provides home hospice care, using local hospitals when inpatient care is essential. The actual cost of 4,779 patient days of care delivered from May 1, 1980 through Dec 31,1981 was $14.26 per patient day. The median length of service was 31.5 days, with a mean of 66.4 days. Care was provided to 22.3% of all those dying of cancer during 1981 within the service area of the HONS. It is estimated that each patient receiving hospice care avoids 11.05 days of traditional inpatient care, resulting in a saving of $3,167.06 during the index period of this study. If this saving were extrapolated to a national scope, it is conservatively predicted that approximately $266,000,000 could be saved annually. The experience of the HONS strongly supports further development of outpatient, home care hospice organizations.This content is limited to qualifying members.
Existing members, please login first
If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.
Purchase only this article ($25)
Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.
Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)
Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.
Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)
Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.
