NHPCO NewsLine March 2014 - (Page 3)

Taking Ownership of PC in Your Community F or quite some time, I have been urging hospices to find ways to offer palliative care services in their communities, in whatever form that makes the best business sense. The key is to enter this growing market while there is still room at the table. Hospitals are of course stepping up, with many establishing their own palliative care units. Interestingly, however, new findings by Dr. Rebecca Aslakson of Johns Hopkins University suggest that, in some situations, palliative care consultative services provide better outcomes than palliative care provided by hospital staff. Dr. Aslakson and her team conducted a review of the literature to see if palliative care reduced ICU and hospital lengths of stay (which it did). However, the team also looked at whether there was any difference in outcomes when palliative care was provided by trained members of the ICU (an integrative model) versus palliative care provided by "outsiders into the ICU" (a consultative model). * In the studies that used integrative palliative care, ICU length of stay decreased in four of nine studies (44%). Hospital length of stay decreased in two of five studies (40%). * In the studies that use consultative palliative care, ICU length of stay decreased in nine of 12 studies (75%). Hospital length of stay decreased in six of nine studies (67%). While the outcomes from the consultative care appear more effective, Dr. Aslakson cautions that one model isn't necessarily better than the other, noting that integrative care can be much more difficult in open or semi-open ICUs. I share these findings to remind members that now is an important time to consider expanding into palliative care. It can be partnering with your local hospital or, as we share in this month's cover story, it can be developing a homebased palliative care program as Hospice at Home has done, or establishing a palliative care unit in your inpatient facility, as Capital Caring is doing. More information to help you in this process is close at hand. NHPCO's MLC, being held later this month, will feature several valuable sessions while our 2014 Virtual Conference will focus exclusively on palliative care. Increasing hospice capacity to provide palliative care is one of NHPCO's strategic priorities. Be assured that we are focusing as much attention on this goal as we are asking of you. J. Donald Schumacher, PsyD President/CEO NHPCO NewsLine 3 http://www.oncologypractice.com/oncologyreport/news/top-news/single-view/palliative-care-shortens-icu-hospital-stays-review-data-show/3c161a3e6d184048e4b91a5e0001394b.html http://www.nhpco.org/education-conferences/mlc-2014 http://www.nhpco.org/education-conferences/mlc-2014 http://www.nhpco.org/conferences/2014-virtual-conference

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NHPCO NewsLine March 2014

Gaining a Competitive Edge
A Message From Don
NHPCO 2014 Webinars (display ad)
Billing for Pediatric Palliative Care
Integrating PC Education into Nursing Curricula
Deborah Goodman on Being First!
First-ever Global Atlas of Palliative Care
New Display Ad to Help Recognize Hospice Volunteers
5 Ways to Address Organizational ADD
ehospice USA (display ad)
How Being a Member Can Save You Money (display ad)
Member News and Notes
State Hospice Profiles (display ad)
Compliance Tip
2014 MLC (display ad)
Links to Resources on the NHPCO Website
A Feel-Good Moment

NHPCO NewsLine March 2014