A new RAND Corporation study published in the latest edition of the journal JAMA Internal Medicine found patients receiving care from for-profit hospices have substantially worse care experiences than patients who receive care from not-for-profit hospices. Using Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) survey data, researchers found that family members reported worse care experiences on average from for-profit hospices across all of the domains assessed, including help for pain and other symptoms and getting timely care. Family caregivers of patients treated by for-profit hospices were nearly 5 percentage points less likely than those in not-for-profit hospices to definitely recommend their hospice to others.

“Nonprofit providers of hospice care have long been standard bearers for quality care in the sector—as this research shows,” said Katie Smith Sloan, president and CEO, LeadingAge. Read the entire statement here.

COVERAGE:

McKnight’s Home Care: Study gives for-profit hospices failing grade in patient care

Hospice News: RAND Corp.: Families Report Better Care from Nonprofit Hospices

US News & World Report: For-Profit Hospices Often Deliver Worse Care: Study

UPI: Study finds for-profit hospices often deliver worse care

Health Leaders Not-for-Profit Hospices Outperform For-Profit Hospices in Care Experiences, Study Finds

The full report can be found through this link.