title: Innovative models of home-based palliative care.
abstract: The focus of palliative care is to alleviate pain and suffering for patients, potentially while they concurrently pursue life-prolonging or curative therapy. The potential breadth of palliative care is recognized by the Medicare program, but the Medicare hospice benefit is narrowly defined and limited to care that is focused on comfort and not on cure. Any organization or setting that has been accredited or certified to provide health care may provide palliative care. Home health agencies are highly attuned to patients' need for palliative care, and often provide palliative care for patients who are ineligible for hospice or have chosen not to enroll in it. Two home health-based programs have reported improved patient satisfaction, better utilization of services, and significant cost savings with palliative care. Moving the focus of care from the hospital to the home and community can be achieved with integrated care and can be facilitated by changes in government policy.
authors: Home Care Program, The Joint Commission, One Renaissance Blvd, Oak Brook Terrace, IL 60181, USA. MLabson@jointcommission.org
authors: Margherita C
authors: MC
authors: Labson
authors: Michele M
authors: MM
authors: Sacco
authors: David E
authors: DE
authors: Weissman
authors: Betsy
authors: B
authors: Gornet
authors: Brad
authors: B
authors: Stuart
mesh_terms: D014487:Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S. / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D003363:Cost Control / Q000379:methods; D006291:Health Policy / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D017051:Hospice Care / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D014481:United States