Understanding Hospice — An Underutilized Option for Life's Final Chapter

Abstract

Interview with Timothy Quill on hospice care in the United States. (06:55)Download It was Mr. G.'s third exacerbation of congestive heart failure in the past 6 months. Eighty-three years old, he had New York Heart Association class IV heart failure, end-stage coronary artery disease, and insulin-dependent diabetes. Although he had never wanted to be put on a ventilator, this time his shortness of breath was so terrifying that he felt he had no choice. After having a good response to diuresis, he was successfully extubated and transferred out of the coronary care unit.Two days later, a hospitalist suggested to Mr. G. and his wife that given his advanced disease, he should . . .