Researchers evaluated liability effects of communication-and-resolution programs. Their results found these programs were associated with improved trends in rate of new claims and legal defense costs.
In the retrospective study patients granted a wish were 2.5 times more likely to have fewer unplanned hospital admissions and 1.9 times more likely not to have to use the emergency department. This led to a decline in cost of care even after accounting for the average cost of the wish.
