Using Palliative Care Nurses in a Supportive Care Program to Reduce Hospital Utilization for Patients With Multiple Chronic Conditions

Abstract

Background: Health care organizations are designing comprehensive care programs to reduce hospital utilization by high-risk patients with multiple chronic illnesses. Local Problem: A community hospital recognized patients with multiple chronic conditions had higher rates of inpatient stays and emergency department (ED) visits. Methods: Patients (n = 36) with multiple chronic conditions enrolled in a supportive care program. Researchers analyzed hospital utilization, inpatient stays, and ED visits preintervention and postgraduation for the participants enrolled. Palliative care nurses were assigned to patients enrolled in the supportive care program.Results: There was a statistically significant decrease in hospital utilization (Z = −2.540, P = .011) and inpatient stays (Z = −4.037, P < .001) following the implementation of the supportive care program. Conclusions:The study met its aim of reducing hospital utilization and inpatient stays by creating a comprehensive approach to support high-risk patients in self-management of their chronic illnesses.

Multiple Chronic Conditions among Seriously Ill Adults Receiving Palliative Care

“…Such evidence has the potential to aid researchers in translating findings to inform palliative care strategies to address the unique needs of seriously ill adults with MCC. For example, by gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the MCC profile of seriously ill adults who receive palliative care, clinicians will be better equipped to help individuals manage their illnesses and potentially reduce downstream sequelae such as emergency department utilization and hospitalizations (Allen et al, 2021). Furthermore, palliative care can be tailored to incorporate the unique needs of the person with MCCs (Allen et al, 2021).…”

“…However, palliative care is increasingly provided for non-cancer serious illnesses, especially among those with MCC, for whom the complexity of tailored, patient-centered care may be greater (Kamal et al, 2017; Murali et al, 2020). Growing the evidence base that describes seriously ill adults with MCC allows researchers to inform future studies that seek to achieve greater precision and implementation of care strategies to meet complex care needs and potentially improve downstream outcomes such as symptom burden, quality of life, and health care utilization (Allen et al, 2021; Kelley, 2014; Murali et al, 2020).…”