{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.016931216931216932, 'fraction_numerical': 0.006349206349206349, 'mean_word_length': 5.306666666666667, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Who are the children using hospice care?

PURPOSE
The purpose was to examine the characteristics of children who use hospice care.


DESIGN AND METHODS
Using the Andersen Model of Health Services Use, California Medicaid administrative databases were analyzed to describe the characteristics of 76 children in hospice.


RESULTS
The predisposing, enabling, and need characteristics of children were identified. Children who used hospice were a diverse group with community resources that enabled them to access care while presenting with serious health needs. Children enrolled in hospice were more likely older (15-20 years of age), resided nearer a pediatric hospice, and had a serious health condition such as neuromuscular disease with multiple comorbidities.


PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS
With this knowledge, pediatric nurses can improve their clinical practice by targeting conversations with families and children most in need of hospice care.