010 - Data: Palliative Medicine Consultation and Hospital Readmissions

This retrospective study from a 21-hospital system analyzed the effect of palliative medicine consultations on 30-day hospital readmission rates for patients with six diagnoses (heart failure, sepsis, pneumonia, COPD, AMI, and stroke). The research found statistically significant reductions in readmissions for heart failure, sepsis, and pneumonia patients who received consultations. While reductions were observed in other groups (stroke, AMI, COPD), these were not statistically significant. The study suggests that palliative care consultations may improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs, warranting further investigation and potential policy changes. The findings add to existing literature supporting the value of palliative care in mitigating readmissions.