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Enhancements in Hospice Care: Boosting Quality Measures for End-of-Life Visits

Improvements in Hospice Quality Measures During the Final Days

Hospices across the United States have shown progress in enhancing the quality of care during patients’ last days, a critical measure for assessing hospice performance. According to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), in 2021 there was a slight increase in the number of visits by registered nurses to patients in their final week of life, rising to 63% from 62% the previous year. This improvement marks the first increase since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had significantly reduced these essential interactions due to restrictions and heightened public health concerns.

Strategic Approaches to Enhancing Patient Care in Hospices

The increase in hospice visits can be partly attributed to the relaxation of pandemic-related restrictions and diminishing public fear, allowing more frequent and necessary interactions with patients, particularly in nursing facilities. Additionally, hospices are leveraging new technologies like predictive analytics to improve care delivery, as evidenced by a partnership between St. Croix Hospice and Medalogix. This collaboration utilized data analytics to optimize visit schedules, resulting in patients receiving an average of 10.3 visits in their final week and substantially higher satisfaction rates among families compared to national averages.

Challenges and Innovations in Hospice Care Delivery

Despite these advancements, hospices continue to face significant challenges, particularly related to workforce shortages that hinder the ability to meet patient care needs effectively. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has introduced financial incentives, such as the Service Intensity Add-on (SIA), which compensates hospices for intensive nursing and social work services in the last days of life. Since its implementation in 2016, SIA utilization has grown, with over $200 million paid in 2021, supporting the delivery of critical end-of-life care. These measures, combined with innovative staffing solutions and the use of technology, are crucial for continuing to improve the quality of hospice care.