Evaluating Outcomes for Women with Metastatic Breast Cancer: Palliative Care Consultations, Hospital Charges, and Length of Stay

Abstract

Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) frequently results in increased pain and distress for women affected by the disease. Management of these symptoms can be complicated and expensive, leading to undue stress for these patients and their families. Palliative care has demonstrated effectiveness in alleviating symptomology due to disease and improving quality of life for patients with MBC, yet utilization of palliative care remains low. The purpose of this study is to document the prevalence of palliative care consultations among inpatients with metastatic breast cancer and to examine the impact of palliative care on the length of hospital stay and total hospital charges. The results of this study demonstrate that only 5.7% of patients with metastatic breast cancer received a palliative care consultation during their inpatient stay. Palliative care consultation was associated with a longer length of stay but lower hospital charges.