Focus On Keeping Chemotherapy Patients Out Of Hospital Pays Off
A new model that aims to keep cancer patients, who are immunocompromised, away from the potentially dangerous environment of hospitals. Hospitals “know nothing about helping people stay out of the hospital. Why would they? Their business is putting people in the hospital,” Dr. Barbara McAneny says.
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Cancer Model Saves Money, Keeps Patients Out Of Hospital
It struck Dr. Barbara McAneny a decade ago that whenever chemotherapy complications sent cancer patients to the hospital they’d come out a little bit worse. “Each time, it’s another step down,” the oncologist said. Their immune systems are vulnerable to infections from other patients, and when they go home, they’re “just a little bit weaker, a little more debilitated.”
There’s also a huge financial toll. Hospitalization can cost $30,000 or more, and patients are billed for co-payments and deductibles. Many patients who survive cancer lose their jobs or can no longer work. (Clark, 11/10)