Table 5

Impact of ACP on mean number of days in hospital in the last year of life, number of admissions and costs of emergency admissions in the last year of life (95%CI)

PeopleMean stay for all those with an admissionMean stay for those with or without an admissionMean number of admissionsMean number of emergency admissionsMean cost of emergency admissions (£)
ACP38920.7 (18.4 to 23.0)18.1 (16.0 to 20.2)4.8 (4.2 to 5.4)1.61 (1.4 to 1.8)5260.4 (4586 to 5934)
No ACP27528.9 (25.1 to 32.8)26.4 (22.8 to 30.0)5.5 (4.5 to 6.4)1.75 (1.6 to 1.9)5690.9 (4984 to 6398)
Total66424.2 (22.0 to 26.3)21.5 (19.6 to 23.5)5.1 (4.5 to 5.6)1.66 (1.5 to 1.8)5438.8 (4948 to 5929)
t Test two-sided p value<0.001<0.0010.20.30.4
  • p Value compares ACP with non-ACP.

  • Multivariate analysis investigating factors affecting the likelihood of death in hospital suggests that ACP is a significant factor. People who have had ACP reduce the odds of dying in hospital nearly 70% lower than people who do not. Gender, age or cause of death did not have a significant effect.

  • ACP, advance care planning.