Abstract
Objective: We evaluated the association between patient characteristics, utilization of care, and documentation of information and care planning. Methods: We abstracted chart documentation for 238 deceased patients with advanced cancer. Results: Do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders were documented in 34% of charts, advance directives in 19%, hospice discussion in 49%, and hospice referral in 36%. Compared to white patients, black patients had a higher odds of hospice discussion (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] 2.11; 95% CI 1.18 to 3.76) and hospice referral (AOR 2.18; 95% CI 1.21 to 3.93). Documentation of advance directive and DNR order was associated with higher utilization of care. Conclusion: Black race was associated with higher odds of hospice discussion and referral in a primarily Medicaid population. Additional research is needed to explore variations in physician-patient discussion about hospice among different patient populations.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 543-549 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine |
| Volume | 28 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Dec 2011 |
Keywords
- end-of-life care
- hospice
- information and care planning
- race/ethnicity
- utilization of care
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine