Journal of general internal medicine
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Since inordinately long or short lengths of stay at hospice can create problems for patients, providers, and payers, the author sought to identify predictors of timing of patient referral. ⋯ Inappropriately early or late referral occurs in a substantial minority of patients referred to the hospice under study. Closer attention to accurate prognostication in different types of terminally ill patients and more timely referral to hospice might help to optimize the use of this health care resource from both patient and societal perspectives.