Thursday, August 16, 2012

Palliative Care Medicine

Palliative Care Medicine is "the active total care of patients whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment".

I think Palliative Care Medicine can be good in many ways. But it should not be forced on the patient or family.

The Archives of Internal Medicine in 2008 found that patients who received palliative care services cost the hospital $1696 to $4908 less per admission. And insurers notice these things. And so do hospital administrators who may not care for your loved one as much as you do.

So beware if the Palliative Care team of doctors and nurses seems extra-nice. Financial concerns for their hospital could be driving them as much as their desire to help the patient.

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