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.
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