Supporting patients through serious illness and the end of life: Sutter Health's AIM model

Supporting patients through serious illness and the end of life: Sutter Health's AIM model

Collection:
Health Policy and Services Research
Series Title(s):
Case study. Care models for high-need, high-cost patients
Author(s):
Hostetter, Martha, author
Klein, Sarah, author
McCarthy, Douglas, author
Contributor(s):
Commonwealth Fund, issuing body.
Publication:
[New York, N.Y.] : Commonwealth Fund, January 2018
Language(s):
English
Format:
Text
Subject(s):
Patient Care Management
Patient Care Team
Terminal Care
Terminally Ill
California
United States
Genre(s):
Technical Report
Abstract:
KEY FEATURES. Nurses and social workers in Sutter Health's Advanced Illness Management (AIM) program engage terminally ill patients, elicit and document their goals, and support them as they navigate their physical and emotional challenges. TARGET POPULATION. Patients who are deemed by their providers to be in the last 12 to 18 months of life, including those who may be eligible for hospice services but not ready to use them. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT. Even though most people say they want to stay home and avoid stress and discomfort near the end of life, health care interventions tend to increase dramatically during the final months, often producing little benefit and much suffering. BENEFITS. By honoring patients' wishes and better coordinating care, the program reduces total health care spending by as much as $9,000 per year, chiefly by reducing acute care use. CHALLENGES. Knowing what level of care to provide to which patients and for how long, as well as overcoming workforce shortages. Negotiating new payer contracts to cover the unreimbursed expense of the program, which does not pay for itself under fee-for-service reimbursement.
Copyright:
Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further use of the material is subject to CC BY license. (More information)
Extent:
1 online resource (1 PDF file (14 pages))
Illustrations:
Illustrations
NLM Unique ID:
101719403 (See catalog record)
Permanent Link:
http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101719403