Cost-effective management of the hospital-based hospice program

As hospital-based hospice programs proliferate across the country, most are under the leadership of a nurse administrator. Nurse administrators must be prepared to manage the many components that constitute the broad scope of this role. Cost-effective management is the greatest challenge. The author explores this management role, including a discussion of hospice-program reimbursement, hospital-based program advantages, options to increase staff productivity, management of drugs and durable medical equipment, inpatient admissions, volunteer services, and fund-raising. Cost-effective measures are explored throughout the discussion, along with a history and explanation of the hospice concept of care.