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Research Points to Palliative Care’s Underutilization Among Cancer Patients

Hospice News

The researchers examined Medicare claims data of beneficiaries 65 and older with recent cancer diagnoses who were given a six-month life expectancy prognosis between 2010 and 2019. Despite considerable growth in early PC receipt, utilization remained low in 2019,” the researchers wrote in the study.

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U.S. Senators Call on CMS to Boost Palliative Care Resources

Hospice News

While the availability of palliative care is improving, fewer than 5% of patients with serious illnesses who stand to benefit from palliative care actually receive it, according to a May 2019 report by the National Academy of State Health Policy. Signatories on the letter included the co-founders of the Senate Comprehensive Care Caucus, U.S.

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Studies: Virtual Reality Shows Promise in Palliative Care

Hospice News

In 2019 the company began collaborating with AT&T and health care technology company WellSky to develop a 5G virtual relative system aimed at addressing chronic pain and anxiety in patients at or nearing the end of life. Around 17.5% of the participants reported lower rates of pain-related sleep impairment after using virtual reality.

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The Case for Integrating Social Determinants Into Palliative Care

Hospice News

Home-based palliative care could reduce societal health care costs by $103 billion within the next 20 years, the nonprofit economic research group Florida TaxWatch indicated in a 2019 report. Programs to address social determinants have likewise been found to reduce health care expenditures. million in savings within the first six months .

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New ASCO Guidelines Stress Importance of Early Palliative Care 

Hospice News

In 2019, the national economic burden associated with cancer reached in excess of $21 billion, according to the National Cancer Institute. The 2024 update to the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s (ASCO) clinical practice guidelines place renewed emphasis on palliative care. The revisions reinforce that position.

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Fostering Palliative Care-Pain Medicine Specialist Coordination

Hospice News

Between 2019 and 2021, the prevalence of chronic pain among adults nationwide ranged from 20.5% Between 2019 and 2021, the prevalence of chronic pain among adults nationwide ranged from 20.5% Chronic pain can be debilitating and often accompanies serious conditions that can warrant palliative care, such as cancer. response rate.

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Palliative Care a ‘Natural Fit’ for Home Health Agencies

Hospice News

Only 7% of community-based palliative care programs are operated by home health organizations, compared to about 50% for hospices and 7%, according to 2019 data from the Center to Advance Palliative Care. Currently, the palliative care space is dominated by hospices and health systems.