The challenge of sustainability in healthcare systems: frequency and cost of diagnostic procedures in end-of-life cancer patients.

Background: Literature data on the overuse and misuse of diagnostic procedures leading to end-of-life aggressiveness are scarce due to the limited amount of estimated economic waste. This study investigated the potential overuse of diagnostic procedures in a population of end-of-life patients.

Methods: This is a retrospective study on consecutive advanced patients admitted into two Italian hospices.

Radiological exams on end-stage oncologic patients before hospice admission.

Purpose: To evaluate frequency, type, and cost of diagnostic and interventional radiological exams performed on end-stage oncologic patients in the 90 days before Hospice admission.

Materials And Methods: Data of patients admitted to Hospice from January 2012 through June 2013 (18 months) were cross-checked with data from the digital archive of the Radiology Department. Frequency and type of exams performed before admission were analyzed across three 1-month periods, namely M, M, M, corresponding to 90-61, 60-31 and 30-1 days before admission.