Costs of Care and Location of Death in Community-Based Pediatric Palliative Care

Title

Costs of Care and Location of Death in Community-Based Pediatric Palliative Care

Creator

Chirico J; Donnelly J P; Gupton A; Cromwell P; Miller M; Dawson C; Korones D N

Publisher

Journal of Palliative Medicine

Date

2019

Subject

adolescent; adult; article; cardiovascular disease/dm [Disease Management]; child; child death; child health care; child health insurance; childhood cancer/dm [Disease Management]; childhood disease/dm [Disease Management]; cohort analysis; community care; community-based; congenital disorder/dm [Disease Management]; cost; dying; family income; female; groups by age; health care cost; health maintenance organization; home care; human; major clinical study; male; medicaid; neuromuscular disease/dm [Disease Management]; newborn disease/dm [Disease Management]; palliative therapy; pediatric palliative care; pediatric patient; prematurity/dm [Disease Management]; race difference; retrospective study

Description

Background: Children with complex chronic conditions (CCCs) are dying at home with increased frequency, yet the number of studies on the financial feasibility of community-based pediatric palliative care is limited. Objective(s): The objectives of this study were to (1) describe characteristics of patients who died in a community-based palliative care program and (2) evaluate cost differences associated with participant characteristics and location of death. Design(s): A retrospective cohort analysis of administrative and electronic medical record data was employed. Setting/Subjects: Children enrolled in the community-based pediatric palliative care program, CompassionNet, who died between 2008 and 2015 were included (N = 224). Measurements: Demographic data, program expense, and paid claims were extracted from an insurance provider database and clinical data from the electronic medical record. Result(s): Sixty-six (29%) of the children were \textless1 year old at death; 80 (36%) were 1-9 years old, and 78 (35%) were 10-22 years old. Malignancy was the most common primary CCC diagnosis for the 158 children/adolescents (n = 89, 56%), whereas neuromuscular conditions (n = 20, 30%) were most frequent for infants. Death at home occurred 21% of the time for infants, 48% for children of ages 1-9 years, and 46% for children of ages 10-22 years. The mean total cost in the final year of life for pediatric patients was significantly related to location of death, a malignancy diagnosis, and participation in Medicaid. The largest estimated difference was between costs of care associated with death at home ($121,111) versus death in the hospital ($200,050). Conclusion(s): Multidisciplinary community-based pediatric palliative care teams provide the opportunity for a home death to be realized as desired. Significant cost differences associated with location of death may support program replication and sustainability. Copyright © 2019, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Citation List Month

July 2019 List

Collection

Citation

Chirico J; Donnelly J P; Gupton A; Cromwell P; Miller M; Dawson C; Korones D N, “Costs of Care and Location of Death in Community-Based Pediatric Palliative Care,” Pediatric Palliative Care Library, accessed March 19, 2024, https://pedpalascnetlibrary.omeka.net/items/show/16357.