Intensity of End-of-Life Care for Patients with Hematologic Malignancies and the Role of Race/Ethnicity

Background: Racial/ethnic minority patients with nonhematologic malignancies (non-HM) have lower rates of hospice care, advance directive use, and palliative care utilization than non-Hispanic white (NHW) patients. Less is known regarding racial/ethnic minority patients with hematologic malignancies (HM). Objectives: To study hospital utilization among racial/ethnic minority patients with HM and compare end-of-life outcome measures to patients with non-HM. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study (2010–2015) using electronic health records from an integrated academic health center to study differences in hospital utilization patterns and documentation of advance care planning between patients with HM and non-HM. In the subgroup with hematologic malignancy, we examined outcomes associated with racial/ethnic minority status. Results: Among all patients in the last 30 days of life, those with HM had higher rates of inpatient care (odds ratio [OR], 1.96; 95% CI: 1.74–2.20; p