EDs lack proper care protocols for elderly cancer patients, study finds

Medicare beneficiaries with cancer are less likely to be granted observation status when presenting at the emergency department than patients without cancer, even though this treatment status is often a viable alternative to inpatient admission, according to a study published in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

For the study, researchers analyzed Medicare data on more than 150,000 patients diagnosed with cancer between 2006 and 2008. They followed patients for up to two years post-diagnosis or until their death. Researchers demographically matched cancer patients with other Medicare beneficiaries without cancer for comparative analysis.

Researchers identified 43 observation status visits per 1,000 inpatient admissions among cancer patients, compared to 69 visits per 1,000 admissions among patients without cancer.

"Observation status allows for additional time to be certain that a patient's clinical status is stabilized and that the correct diagnosis has been made, providing the treating staff, patient and caregiver with a greater feeling of security upon discharge," said Jeffrey Groeger, MD, an internist with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. "By implementing a set of standards and treatment protocols for addressing specific clinical conditions, we can increase the systematic use of observation status for patients with cancer."

More articles on EDs: 
Study: Nearly 50% of US medical care occurs in EDs 
MidHudson Regional Hospital ED nurses receive government recognition 
Mississippi hospital will charge $200 upfront fee for nonurgent ED visits

Copyright © 2024 Becker's Healthcare. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Cookie Policy. Linking and Reprinting Policy.

 

Featured Whitepapers

Featured Webinars