National trends in adult hospice use: 1991-1992 to 1999-2000

This study examines hospice use among adult hospice patients based on the 1992-2000 National Home and Hospice Care Surveys, the 1997-1999 National Nursing Home Surveys, and the 1991-2000 annual Underlying and Multiple Cause-of-Death Files. The total number of adult hospice patients tripled between 1991-1992 and 1999-2000. The majority of inpatient hospice patients resided in nursing homes. The increased hospice utilization rates and increased percentage of adult hospice patients with short stays in hospice indicate changes in hospice enrollment patterns over time. Hospice is still in the process of growing toward a steady state.