Of 156 patients referred to a hospice for respite care, 11 % died whilst awaiting admission. Of the 125 patients admitted, 12% died in the hospice. The distribution of deaths was not even, with cancer patients more likely to die during respite admission, than patients with other diseases (p<0.05).
Rai GS, Bielawaska C., Murphy PJ, Wright G.Hazards for elderly people admitted for respite ('holiday admissions') and social care ('social admissions'). Br Med J1986; 292: 240.