Hospice: did you know?

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) published a snapshot of hospice care in the United States.  

Here are a few of the highlights, which reflect data from 2007.

• 1.4 million patients received care from hospice
• 38.8 percent of all U.S. deaths were under hospice care
• Median length of service: 20 days
• Average length of service: 67.4 days
• 30.8 percent of patients served by hospice died or were discharged in seven or fewer days
• 13.1 percent of patients served by hospice died or were discharged in 180 or more days
• Hospice patients had a mean survival of 29 days longer than hospital patients did
• 70.3 percent received hospice care at home
• 19.2 percent received hospice care in an impatient facility