Preliminary data from Dr. Naughton’s research suggests elderly patients who spend more time in medical ICUs have as high as a 75 percent chance of dying in the hospital. Published research also shows lower levels of satisfaction were associated with ICU stays.
“The reliance on overly aggressive, often high-tech treatments in elderly patients with multiple illnesses end up providing, in the end, poor care: the exact opposite of what physicians are trained to do,” Dr. Naughton said. He added the importance of acknowledging “non-beneficial care is also wasteful care.”
Related Articles on Healthcare Utilization:
Commonwealth Fund: Increased Use of Primary Care Services Can Reduce Medicare Costs
Reducing Variation in the Use of MRIs
Study: Increased Hospital Capacity Associated With Increased Utilization, Costs
