This Blog site is to educate not only providers but for those that are recipients of heath care. Therefore much of the content will be in layman’s terms to facilitate learning by the general public about issues pertaining to: hospice, advanced directives, code status, disease processes, medications, end-of-life care, death and dying with dignity.
Currently I am working to obtain my MSN-Nurse Educator at Kaplan University and work for MVI-Hospice as a RN Case Manager in the Ohio counties of Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana.
As an advocate for my patients and families I find it disturbing that in the United States hospice care “currently provides care for approximately 25% of all people who die in this country” (Casarett, Crowley & Hirschman, 2004, p. 1923). Studies have shown there are many factors that contribute to this deficiency of health care for the dying.
Primarily it seems to be factors such as:
· Physicians either not understanding or being comfortable with the hospice philosophy
· Late referrals
· Futile care
· Misunderstanding by health care workers
· Misunderstanding by the public
· Societies fear end-of-life discussions
These misunderstandings cause underutilization of a health care benefit (hospice) which seeks to ensure everyone is allowed a “good death” without distress, pain or alone.
Hospice services include an interdisciplinary team (IDT) that consists of:
· Medical director
· Pharmacist
· RN Case Managers
· Social worker
· Spiritual councelor
· Volunteer coordinator
The IDT works in conjunction with the primary care physician, patient, family and caregivers to coordinate and provide the highest quality of hospice care that every patient, family and caregiver deserves.
Some of the other services provided include:
· Durable medical equipment (DME)
· Medications related to the hospice diagnosis, and comfort
· Supplies that may be needed for incontinence, wound care
· Home health aides (HHA)
· Volunteers: Professional massage therapist, beautician, manicurist, sitters
· Inpatient services for uncontrolled symptoms
· Respite
Scottie
Casarett, D., Crowley, R. & Hirschman, K. (2004). How should clinicians describe hospice to patients and families? American Geriatrics Society 52(11), p 1923-1928.
