According to a new Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) analysis of the latest data released from the 2008 American Hospital Association (AHA) Annual Survey of Hospitals, US hospitals continue to implement palliative care programs at a rapid pace. The CAPC analysis shows that 1,299 hospitals (31%) nationwide provide palliative care programs today, compared to just 632 programs in 2000. Most significantly, hospitals with more than 50 beds-the most likely to have a program-show a penetration of 47%. Of the 4,136 hospitals appropriate for palliative care programs (psychiatric and rehabilitation hospitals are excluded): 31% have a program, 47% with more than 50 beds have a program, and 77% with more than 250 beds (large-size hospitals) have a program.
Features commonly associated with hospitals that provide a palliative care consultation service are as follows:
* JCAHO accreditation
* Cancer program approved by the American College of Surgeons
* Member of Council of Teaching Hospitals
* Catholic Church operated
* Large size (ie, more than 250 beds)
By 2030, it is expected that the number of older Americans will have more than doubled to 70 million-or one in every five Americans. With the availability of advanced medical technologies, the growing numbers of older adults are expected to live longer but often with serious, chronic, and costly illnesses. By improving physical and psychological symptoms, caregiver well-being, and patient/family/doctor communication, palliative medicine is widely viewed as an important solution to the mounting problems faced by patients, families, and the healthcare system.
The CAPC provides healthcare professionals with the tools, training, and technical assistance necessary to start and sustain successful palliative care programs in hospitals and other healthcare settings. Located in New York City, CAPC is a national organization dedicated to increasing the availability of quality palliative care services for people facing serious illnesses. Direction and technical assistance are provided by Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Visit the CAPC Web site at http://www.capc.org.