Concentrating hospital-wide deaths in a palliative care unit: the effect on place of death and system-wide mortality.

Introduction: We studied the impact of an 11-bed inpatient palliative care unit (PCU) on site of death and observed mortality in the health system, oncology, and palliative care units. Observers were concerned that an active PCU would attract dying patients and worsen comparative mortality rates for Medicare and U.S.

A high-volume specialist palliative care unit and team may reduce in-hospital end-of-life care costs.

Background: Current end-of-life hospital care can be of poor quality and high cost. High volume and/or specialist care, and standardized care with clinical practice guidelines, has improved outcomes and costs in other areas of cancer care.

Methods: The objective of this study was to measure the impact of the palliative care unit (PCU) on the cost of care.