Providing Technical Assistance to Expand Palliative Care in New York State Hospitals

Grantee Name

The Center to Advance Palliative Care

Funding Area

Expanding Health Care Coverage

Publication Date

February 2013

Grant Amount

$500,000

Grant Date:

July 1, 2009–June 30, 2010

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Persons with serious, advanced illness and those at the end of life often confront a health care system that does not know how to meet their needs, which include the provision of expert symptom and pain management, well-communicated information, and improved quality of care.

Palliative care can help transition patients to more effective care, reducing their length of stay and providing a more appropriate setting for their health needs. Despite the opportunities for savings and improvements in care, less than 60% of New York State hospitals reported that they provided palliative care services. In 2009, NYHealth funded the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) to address this problem by working with the remaining 40% of New York State hospitals to establish a palliative care program at their hospitals. In addition, CAPC worked to enhance the long-term sustainability and quality of established palliative care programs.

Outcomes and Lessons Learned

Provided its training products, including audio-conferences and online distance learning, to 44% of New York State hospitals;
Built competencies among clinical leaders to start or strengthen their palliative care programs;
Co-authored a study on the quality and cost impacts of palliative care in the leading health policy journal Health Affairs; and
Provided various ad hoc support services to New York State hospitals, including extended responses to forum questions, phone call support, and detailed e-mail responses.

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