A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association reveals a significant gap in the provision of palliative care for heart failure patients, with racial disparities compounding the issue. Despite guidelines recommending palliative care for all patients with advanced heart failure, only a small fraction receive this crucial aspect of treatment.
The research, analyzing data from over 95,000 heart failure hospitalizations between 2016 and 2018, found that a mere 3.4% of patients received palliative care consultations. This low rate is concerning, given the potential benefits of palliative care in improving quality of life and reducing hospital readmissions for heart failure patients.
More troubling is the racial disparity uncovered by the study. Black patients were significantly less likely to receive palliative care consultations compared to white patients, with only 2.9% of Black patients receiving this care versus 3.6% of white patients. This disparity persisted even after accounting for factors such as age, sex, and comorbidities.
The study also revealed that patients who did receive palliative care consultations had longer hospital stays but were less likely to be readmitted within 30 days. This suggests that while palliative care may initially extend hospitalization, it leads to better long-term outcomes for heart failure patients.
These findings highlight the urgent need for improved implementation of palliative care in heart failure treatment, with a particular focus on addressing racial disparities in healthcare delivery. As heart failure continues to be a leading cause of hospitalization and mortality, ensuring equitable access to comprehensive care, including palliative services, is crucial for all patients.
See: “Most heart failure patients miss out on guideline-recommended palliative care” (December 18, 2024)
