Prevention of acute hospital transfers for long-term care residents at the end of life

Prevention of acute hospital transfers for long-term care residents at the end of life 
American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AJHPM); by Kirsten Lanpher, DMS, MSPA, PA-C and Kirsten Brondstater, DMS, MSPAS, PA-C; 3/24/25 
Findings: Long-term care residents are a vulnerable population with advanced comorbidities who often require high acuity care and are subject to preventable transfers to the hospital at the EOL. These disruptions in EOL care cause harm and complications, negatively impacting quality of care. The consequences of these events can be mitigated with early advance care planning to include documentation of EOL care goals, onsite medical clinicians to make critical decisions and provide care within LTC facilities, and adequate staffing with proper palliative and hospice care training.
Conclusion: Immediate action is needed to advocate for this high risk population and implement interventions to prevent hospital transfers at the EOL, therefore improving quality of care and positively influencing LTC residents’ EOL experience.
Editor's note: While this information is long-held common sense, this AJHPM evidence-based research equips us with strong conclusions that "Immediate action is needed to ..." Use this as you partner with SNF/NF's and you educate their staff about hospice care; see Hospice CoP's § 418.112(f). Educate and support your clinical teams as they communicate with SNF/NF staff, residents, and their families. And, pair this with today's post, "I’m a hospice physician. There’s one thing I dread telling my patients." Yes, there are times when hospice-specific GIP care (vs. acute hospital care) is needed for more support than can be provided at the SNF/NF "home."