Palliative care programs benefit patient quality of life and fiscal health of hospitals.

Palliative care services focus on symptom control and pain management for patients with advanced and complex medical issues.  Research shows that these services can also lower hospital costs while improving quality of life for patients.  A recent study published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine has found that direct hospital costs were $464 per day lower for patients receiving palliative care compared to patients with advanced disease receiving usual hospital care.  Patients receiving palliative care services also spent less time in intensive care.