A Third of Americans Die in Hospitals, According to New Study

Nearly a third of Americans who die, do so in the hospital at the time and their last treatments cost the U.S. economy $20 billion, according to a report released in early November 2009.

According to the report by a team of researchers at the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the single biggest cause of hospital death was septicemia, an overwhelming infection of the blood, which killed 15 percent of patients.

Eight percent died of respiratory failure, 6 percent died of stroke and 5 percent had fatal heart attacks in the hospital, according to the report.

Ahhh....just when you thought it was safe to go back into the hospital!

In 2007, it is estimated by the Centers for Disease Control that 2,423,995 people died in the United States. Of these, an estimated 765,651 are thought to have died while in the hospital.

That figure equates to about 32 percent of all deaths in the U.S. in 2007 having occurred in the hospital.

Their analysis, using federal survey data, found that the average cost of a hospital stay that ended with the patient's death was $26,035, compared to $9,447 for patients discharged alive.

So, as it's cheaper to eat at home, it looks as though it's also cheaper to die at home.   Good to know.

Patients covered by Medicare accounted for 67 percent of in-hospital deaths and $12 billion in hospital costs.

Private insurance covered 20 percent of patients who died at a cost of $4 billion. Medicaid patients made up 2 percent and uninsured patients accounted for 3 percent and $630 million in costs.

While the subject of one's inevitable demise is at times a tough subject to discuss, it is noteworthy to mention that our local Hospice agency does a very good job with area residents who have been diagnosed with terminal illness.

It is also prudent to suggest that all persons married and/or with families should find a reputable attorney to draw up a legal will, power of attorney and other such documents to execute the handling of one's affairs (estate and finance) upon their death.