Hospice & Palliative Care Network of Maryland calls for action on short hospice stays: New issue paper highlights urgent need for earlier access to care

Hospice & Palliative Care Network of Maryland calls for action on short hospice stays: New issue paper highlights urgent need for earlier access to care
Hospice & Palliative Care Network of Maryland press release; by Peggy Shimoda; 10/23/25
The Hospice & Palliative Care Network of Maryland (HPCNM) has released a new issue paper, “Short Hospice Stays in Maryland: Ensuring Patient-Centered Care at End-of-Life,” revealing that Maryland ranks 46th nationally for hospice length of stay. With a median of just 18 days in 2024, patients and families miss the full benefit of hospice services that promote comfort, dignity, and peace at the end of life... “Short hospice stays are not just a clinical problem—they’re a systems challenge,” said Dr. Jennifer Kennedy, HPCNM Board Member and Chair of the Short Length of Stay Workgroup. “Earlier conversations, coordinated care, and improved discharge practices can help patients receive the care they deserve sooner.”