- Dec 28, 2003
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Seniors had better brace themselves: Some US hospitals are now administering the "death test," which estimates their chance of dying over the next 30 days. Invented in Australia, the test weighs 29 different criteriaincluding blood pressure, respiratory rate, and medical historyto determine whether hospitalization is worthwhile or the patient should return home or go to a hospice, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
The idea is to prevent needless and expensive procedures while allowing patients to spend their last days with loved ones. "Most terminally ill people want to die at home, but in fact three quarters end up dying in acute hospitals, often after intrusive, expensive and ultimately pointless medical procedures," says study author Magnolia Cardona-Morrell, the Independent reports.
Some US Hospitals Giving 'Death Test' to Seniors
The idea is to prevent needless and expensive procedures while allowing patients to spend their last days with loved ones. "Most terminally ill people want to die at home, but in fact three quarters end up dying in acute hospitals, often after intrusive, expensive and ultimately pointless medical procedures," says study author Magnolia Cardona-Morrell, the Independent reports.
Some US Hospitals Giving 'Death Test' to Seniors