Faculty Collaboration Database

Where infants die: examination of place of death and hospice/home health care options in the state of Wisconsin. J Palliat Med 2004 Apr;7(2):269-77

Date

05/08/2004

Pubmed ID

15130205

DOI

10.1089/109662104773709396

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-1942446006 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   37 Citations

Abstract

Infants (less than 1 year of age) have the highest death rates in the pediatric population, yet there is little published on hospice utilization for infant home deaths. We sought to describe: (1) where infants with a predisposing life-threatening condition are dying, (2) agency services available to dying infants and their families, and (3) utilization of these services for infants within the state of Wisconsin. We collected information from death certificates for infants whose cause of death was either congenital anomaly or condition of the perinatal period, such as hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy or prematurity. In addition, we surveyed all hospice and home health agencies in Wisconsin to determine their ability to serve and whether they were utilized for this same population. During 1992-1996 in Wisconsin, state records indicate that 2591 infants died: congenital anomalies or conditions of the perinatal period resulted in 1538 (60%) of these deaths. Of the 508 infant deaths from congenital anomalies, 46 (9%) occurred at home. Of the 1030 deaths from conditions of the perinatal period, 16 (1.5%) occurred at home. Only 36 (40%) of the 91 hospice/home health agencies that responded to our survey provided services to the pediatric population between 1992-1996. During this time, only 11 agencies provided care for 20 infant home deaths, comprising 32% of infant home deaths reported to the state in that same time period. In comparison to adults and older children, we found a low home death rate for infants with a life-threatening condition. To clarify these findings, we discuss barriers to infant home death.

Author List

Leuthner SR, Boldt AM, Kirby RS

Author

Steven R. Leuthner MD Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Cause of Death
Congenital Abnormalities
Death Certificates
Home Care Services
Hospice Care
Humans
Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain
Infant
Infant Care
Infant Mortality
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature
Terminal Care
Wisconsin