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Palliative care utilization in hospitalized children with cancer

Brian T Cheng1, Tenzin Wangmo2

  • 1Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.

Pediatric Blood & Cancer
|October 16, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Palliative care (PC) is used in only 4.4% of pediatric cancer hospitalizations, despite its benefits. Utilization varies by cancer type and patient age, impacting costs and highlighting a need for better assessment tools.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Palliative Care Research
  • Health Services Research

Background:

  • Growing evidence supports palliative care (PC) to improve quality of life in pediatric cancer patients.
  • Despite recommendations, patterns of PC utilization in pediatric oncology remain understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the utilization patterns of palliative care (PC) among children with cancer and high in-hospital mortality risk.
  • To identify factors associated with PC involvement and its impact on healthcare costs.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of the 2005-2011 National Inpatient Sample, a large US hospital admissions database.
  • Inclusion of 10,960 hospitalizations for children with cancer and high mortality risk.
  • Use of survey-weighted regression models to assess PC involvement predictors and costs.

Main Results:

  • Palliative care (PC) was involved in 4.4% of pediatric cancer hospitalizations.
  • Shorter length of stay, solid tumors, and older age were associated with PC use.
  • PC utilization correlated with lower overall and daily hospital costs.

Conclusions:

  • Palliative care (PC) is underutilized in pediatric cancer patients at high risk of mortality.
  • Utilization disparities exist across socio-economic groups, impacting resource allocation.
  • Further research is needed to develop tools for optimal PC assessment in pediatric oncology.
Abstract

Keywords:
cancerepidemiologyhealth servicesoncologypalliative carepediatric

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