|
|
Rise in Hospital Palliative Care Programs - Catholic Institution One Common Thread
June 11, 2008
Hospitals in the U.S. continue to implement palliative care programs at a rapid pace, according to a new analysis by the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC). CAPC analyzed the latest data released from the 2008 American Hospital Association (AHA) Annual Survey of Hospitals. The analysis shows that 1299 hospitals (31%) nationwide provide palliative care programs today. This is compared to just 632 programs in 2000. Most significantly, hospitals with over 50 beds, the most likely to have a program, show a penetration of 47%. Of the 4,136 hospitals appropriate for palliative care programs (psychiatric and rehab hospitals are excluded): 31% have a program, 47% with over 50 beds have a program, and 77% with over 250 beds. Features commonly associated with hospitals that provide a palliative care consultation service are: JCAHO accreditation, cancer program approved by the American College of Surgeons, Council of Teaching Hospitals membership, Catholic church operated, size over 250 beds. By 2030, it is expected that the number of older Americans will have more than doubled to 70 million — or one in every five Americans. With the availability of advanced medical technologies, the growing numbers of older adults are expected to live longer, but often with serious, chronic and costly illnesses. To read the complete analysis, visit www.capc.org/news-and-events/releases/news-release-4-14-08
|
|