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Regional hospice network offers system benefits
Hospital Progress
|February 11, 1980
Summary
Hospice programs can collaborate through multi-institutional networks to improve care quality and resource allocation. Three Illinois hospitals formed a hospice network, preserving autonomy while coordinating administrative tasks.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Administration
- Public Health Policy
- Geriatric Care
Background:
- Hospice care delivery often faces challenges in resource management and quality assurance.
- Multi-institutional collaborations can address systemic issues in healthcare provision.
- The need for coordinated hospice services is increasing with aging populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the development and structure of a multi-institutional hospice network.
- To evaluate the feasibility of maintaining institutional autonomy within a coordinated network.
- To identify benefits of administrative function coordination in hospice care.
Main Methods:
- Formation of a hospice network involving three Illinois hospitals and a local Health Systems Agency (HSA).
- Development of shared administrative functions to enhance operational efficiency.
- Establishment of protocols for coordinated program distribution and location planning.
Main Results:
- Successful establishment of a hospice network demonstrating inter-institutional cooperation.
- Maintenance of individual hospital autonomy alongside coordinated administrative processes.
- Improved planning capabilities for hospice program distribution and location.
Conclusions:
- Multi-institutional arrangements are effective for enhancing hospice care quality and operational efficiency.
- Coordinated administrative functions within a network support institutional autonomy.
- This model provides a framework for other healthcare systems seeking collaborative solutions.