The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City recently opened a new palliative care unit led by Diane Meier, MD.
The unit is designed to provide a dedicated area in the hospital for patients needing palliative care. In contrast, many hospitals have palliative care patients dispersed across several units. The medical center's new unit will free up beds and resources in other units and give staff more time to care for patients. According to the health system, helping physicians to more effectively treat palliative care patients will also increase patient, family and staff satisfaction.
In addition, palliative care provides cost savings. According to the health system, while the cost per day for usual care is approximately $867, the cost for palliative care is approximately $674. The cost per admission is about $11,498 for usual care, but about $9,992 for palliative care. Similarly, ICU costs are estimated at $6,975 for usual care, but $1,276 for palliative care.
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The unit is designed to provide a dedicated area in the hospital for patients needing palliative care. In contrast, many hospitals have palliative care patients dispersed across several units. The medical center's new unit will free up beds and resources in other units and give staff more time to care for patients. According to the health system, helping physicians to more effectively treat palliative care patients will also increase patient, family and staff satisfaction.
In addition, palliative care provides cost savings. According to the health system, while the cost per day for usual care is approximately $867, the cost for palliative care is approximately $674. The cost per admission is about $11,498 for usual care, but about $9,992 for palliative care. Similarly, ICU costs are estimated at $6,975 for usual care, but $1,276 for palliative care.
Related Articles on Palliative Care:
Palliative Care Still Not Covered, Despite Successes
Palliative Care Cut Costs $6,900 Per Patient, Study Finds
Illinois Blues, Hospital Association Partner to Reduce Readmission Rates