Enhancing Palliative Care Delivery in U.S. Healthcare

Introduction: The Case for Healthcare Innovation

Any rehabilitative and chronic care system aims at cost-effective healthcare. The move toward considering alternative methods of providing healthcare for patients stems from federal spending of over $2.5 trillion in 2010 — a figure representing 17.6% of the nation's gross domestic product. An aging American population has created demand for an innovative and creative patient healthcare delivery system. This new system promises to provide quality healthcare in a cost-effective manner that includes end-of-life care.

End-of-Life Care and the U.S. Healthcare System

Currently, the U.S. healthcare system primarily focuses on the provision of aggressive acute care for patients admitted to inpatient facilities. Close to 80% of the budget spent in the final months of patients' lives covers costly aggressive treatments, resuscitation efforts, and ventilator support. Despite the expense of this care, patient outcomes did not improve; instead, it increased patients' physical and emotional suffering. In light of these statistics, the pursuit of quality-of-life options has sought to utilize less costly and less aggressive treatments.

Palliative Care: Principles and Practice

Palliative care focuses primarily on relieving pain and suffering for patients who experience life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses. The population considered to fall under these two illness brackets covers a variety of ages and diagnostic categories. Patients living with recurrent or persistent conditions represent a significant group, as they experience conditions that may affect both their life expectancy and daily functioning.

The program involves identifying and addressing patient burdens across physical, spiritual, and psychological dimensions of illness. Key aspects of high-quality palliative care include effective communication during transition processes, preparing the patient and family for the death of a loved one, and exploring hospice options. Through these activities, both the patient and family benefit from a focus on improving quality of life. Palliative care also helps eliminate expensive treatments such as diagnostic imaging, intravenous antibiotics, and daily laboratory studies. In rural areas, researchers recommend the use of an advanced practice nurse (APN) in facilitating low-cost palliative healthcare services.

Conclusion

Implementation of the palliative healthcare system positively influences significant changes in medical and nursing practices. The critical success factors — cost-effectiveness and longer patient lengths of stay — demonstrate the significance of this system as a viable alternative to traditional aggressive treatment methods. Effective palliative healthcare services also address the financial needs of individuals, particularly those in rural areas who may not be able to afford expensive, aggressive methods of healthcare.

Reference

McGrath, L. S., Foote, D. G., Frith, K. H., & Hall, W. M. (2013). Cost effectiveness of a palliative care program in a rural community hospital. Nursing Economics, 31(4), 176–183.