Lower costs of care, improved discharge disposition, and improved survival of advanced cancer patients (ACP) receiving early inpatient palliative care (PC) compared to standard oncologic care (SOC).

Authors

null

Christopher Daugherty

University of Chicago, Chicago, IL

Christopher Daugherty , Julie Johnson , Stacie K. Levine , Kristen Wroblewski , Bradford Lane , William Dale , Monica Malec , Fay J. Hlubocky

Organizations

University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL, CIY, Chicago, IL, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL

Research Funding

Other

Background: Outpatient PC improves ACP symptom burdens, end-of-life care transitions, and mortality thereby enhancing quality of life. Yet, the financial implications, discharge disposition, and survival benefits of early, inpatient PC compared to SOC remains less understood. Methods: Retrospective cohort analysis of ACP receiving either PC or SOC between Jan 2015-Dec 2015 (N = 810). ACP cohorts were compared for demographics, costs, disposition, and survival. Financial costs collected included: fixed (overhead expenditures, facility maintenance, hospital property); variable (patient care supplies, diagnostic/therapeutic supplies, medications); operating (fixed, variable, breaking-even costs); direct (labor, materials, commissions, piece-rate wages, manufacturing supplies); indirect (production-supervision salaries, quality control, insurance, depreciation). Univariate and multivariate analyses were completed. Results: 468 were admitted to PC and 342 to SOC. Compared with SOC, PC were more likely to be: younger (61.1±13.2 v. 62.5±13.0, p = 0.02); African American (48% v. 36%, p = 0.0045); female (50% v. 40%, p = 0.005); and have shorter length of stay (5.7±4.9 v. 6.2±6.5, p = 0.01). PC had significantly less 30-day readmissions (16% v 23%, p = 0.03) and lower costs: direct ($9,478 v. $10,416, p = 0.01); indirect ($9,538 v. $10,999, p = 0.002); fixed ($10,308 v. $12,076, p = 0.001); variable ($8,709 v. $ 9,339, p = 0.02); operating ($19,017 v. $21,416, p = 0.003).Compared with SOC, ACP receiving PC were more likely to be discharged to: home (55% v.45%, p = 0.01); healthcare facilities (e.g. skilled nursing, inpatient rehabilitation) (36.1% v. 20%, p = 0.04); and hospice (home and inpatient) (7.7% v 5.8%, p = 0.02). PC had overall greater median survival from the time of discharge (106.8±99.95 v. 73.8±61.93, p = 0.03) compared to SOC. Conclusions: Early PC results in less financial strain, greater cost savings, and improved outcomes for younger and underserved inpatient ACP. Our results provide additional evidence for policies supporting that ACP access to routine PC must become a healthcare priority.

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2019 ASCO Annual Meeting

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Symptoms and Survivorship

Track

Symptom Science and Palliative Care

Sub Track

Palliative Care and Symptom Management

Citation

J Clin Oncol 37, 2019 (suppl; abstr 11609)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2019.37.15_suppl.11609

Abstract #

11609

Poster Bd #

301

Abstract Disclosures

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