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Americans for Better Care of the Dying suggests seven promises that can make a difference. We also offer action guides for clinicians, benefits managers and purchasers, citizens, and policymakers to assist them in keeping these promises.
20 Improvements in End of Life Care - Changes Internists Could Do Next Week!
Suggested Ideas for Legislative Reform in End-of-Life Care
According to authors of Describing Death in America: What We Need to Know, we have national data about the cause of death and age at death, but no real data on quality, appropriateness, and costs of care; or the burden to informal caregivers. In this report from the Institute of Medicine, the authors recommend several strategies to collect such data, including establishment of a a new, ongoing National Mortality Followback Survey. The survey would benchmark where we are today, and guide in establishing goals to minimize pain and suffering and maximize the quality of life. Quality measures are important for public accountability, internal quality improvement efforts, and further research on the effects of different approaches to improve outcomes for patients and families. To read the full report online, go to: http://www.nap.edu/catalog/10619.html.