Hospice care in the Emergency Department: An evolving landscape

Hospice care in the Emergency Department: An evolving landscape
Journal of Palliative Medicine; by Eliot Hill, Ky Stoltzfus, Joanna Brooks; 1/25
Despite the increasing focus on goal-concordant care in the emergency department (ED), there is limited data about patients who receive a new hospice referral and the care paths of patients on hospice who present there. [In this study,] six patients received a new hospice referral. Of these, four had a primary diagnosis of cancer, three received a palliative care consult, and three were discharged to an inpatient hospice facility (hospice house). No patients had repeat health care encounters at our hospital. 42% (31/74) of patients enrolled in hospice required admission. Conclusion: New hospice referrals in the ED are possible but rare. Further research should investigate possible missed opportunities to provide goal-concordant care.