Category: Best Practice
Articles about best practices often in the field of hospice with the goal to maintain Medicare compliance.
Understanding Risk Reduction in Terminal Illness
This guide helps families of terminally ill patients comprehend absolute vs. relative risk reduction. It’s a resource for making educated choices about medication continuation, tapering, or cessation in collaboration with healthcare professionals.
Read MoreUnderstanding Risk Reduction in Terminal IllnessBoosting Hospice CAHPS Scores: The Power of Caregiver Training
This article delves into the transformative role of caregiver training in boosting Hospice CAHPS scores. Drawing on recent studies and expert insights, we explore practical strategies for enhancing caregiver education, ultimately leading to improved patient care and higher satisfaction ratings.
Read MoreBoosting Hospice CAHPS Scores: The Power of Caregiver TrainingNavigating the Hospice Journey with the HOPE Tool: A Comprehensive Guide
This comprehensive guide explores the Hospice Outcome and Patient Evaluation (HOPE) tool and its impact on the hospice journey. It provides insights into compliance strategies, the roles of hospice team members, and the tool’s use in interdisciplinary group meetings.
Read MoreNavigating the Hospice Journey with the HOPE Tool: A Comprehensive GuidePacemakers and Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators: A Guide for Patients and Caregivers
Learn about the differences between pacemakers and ICDs, their functions, and the implications for patients and caregivers. Discover why pacemakers should stay on, and ICDs should be turned off at the end of life for comfort and dignity.
Read MorePacemakers and Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators: A Guide for Patients and CaregiversUnderstanding Emergency Admissions in Hospice
Emergency admissions in hospice provide rapid care for patients nearing the end of life. This process involves quick referrals, expedited assessments, and immediate provision of necessary equipment and medications. Hospice teams work efficiently to ensure patients receive comfort and support during this critical time.
Read MoreUnderstanding Emergency Admissions in HospiceBest Practices for IDG Meetings in Hospice Care
Hospice care is about providing compassionate support and comfort to patients during their end-of-life journey. Interdisciplinary Group (IDG) meetings ensure the highest quality care for hospice patients and their families. These meetings bring together a diverse team of professionals to discuss patient care plans, address concerns, and collaborate on providing holistic support. However, these meetings can sometimes become overwhelming and time-consuming. Let's explore some best practices to make the most of IDG meetings while keeping patient-centered care at the forefront.
Read MoreBest Practices for IDG Meetings in Hospice CareUnveiling the Complexities of SSRIs: Half-Life, Risks, and Misconceptions
Dive into the world of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and their role in treating depression. Discover the importance of medication half-life, the risks of serotonin syndrome, and why the chemical imbalance theory of depression is being challenged. Learn about the concerns of overprescription in older adults.
Read MoreUnveiling the Complexities of SSRIs: Half-Life, Risks, and MisconceptionsCommon Medications That May Cause Harm to Hospice Patients
Medications like anticoagulants, antidepressants, and NSAIDs can cause harm to hospice patients. Learn how to balance comfort and safety with individualized care.
Read MoreCommon Medications That May Cause Harm to Hospice PatientsWhy Anticoagulants Should Be Reviewed Regularly for Deprescribing for Those Who Are Terminally Ill
Anticoagulants can prevent blood clots but also cause bleeding risks for terminally ill patients. This article explains why these medications should be regularly reviewed for deprescribing, outlining factors like prognosis, preferences, and palliative care options to consider when making informed, compassionate choices aligned with the patient's goals.
Read MoreWhy Anticoagulants Should Be Reviewed Regularly for Deprescribing for Those Who Are Terminally IllUnderstanding the Importance of Quarterly Medication Reconciliation for Terminal Patients
This article discusses the importance of quarterly medication reconciliation for terminal patients and their families. It explains the benefits, such as improving patient safety, quality of life, symptom management, and the challenges and solutions. It also addresses the need to re-evaluate certain medications, like donepezil and memantine, for patients with dementia as their disease progresses.
Read MoreUnderstanding the Importance of Quarterly Medication Reconciliation for Terminal PatientsHospice Nursing Visits in the Last Two Weeks vs. Last Six Months of Life
Navigating the intricate path of hospice care involves a nuanced understanding of the unique needs of terminally ill patients. The frequency and nature of nursing visits are crucial in ensuring optimal comfort and support during the final stages of life. This article will delve into the variations in hospice nursing visits, explicitly comparing the last two weeks to the preceding six months.
Read MoreHospice Nursing Visits in the Last Two Weeks vs. Last Six Months of LifeHospice – Patient and Family Autonomy
Hospice care is often misunderstood. A common myth suggests that once a patient with a terminal illness enters hospice, they lose control over their care. This article aims to dispel this misconception and highlight the central role of patient and family autonomy in hospice settings. It's important to note that this discussion primarily applies to patients receiving care at home or in non-facility settings, as facility-based patients may have less control over their care decisions.
Read MoreHospice – Patient and Family AutonomyCompliance-based, Eligibility Driven Hospice Documentation: Tips for Hospice Nurses
Compliance-based, Eligibility Driven Hospice Documentation: Tips for Hospice Nurses" offers comprehensive guidance for hospice professionals. This valuable resource provides practical examples for various aspects of hospice care documentation, including admissions, recertifications, IDG/IDT notes, continuous care, and GIP records. Enhance your documentation skills while ensuring regulatory compliance.
Read MoreCompliance-based, Eligibility Driven Hospice Documentation: Tips for Hospice NursesHospice General Inpatient Care: a Guide for Families and Nurses
Hospice General Inpatient Care (GIP) provides short-term, intensive care for patients experiencing severe pain or symptoms that can't be managed at home. Learn about GIP eligibility, benefits, and how it helps both patients and families during challenging times. Discover key details and important considerations for this essential hospice service.
Read MoreHospice General Inpatient Care: a Guide for Families and NursesEnd of Life Wound Care
End-of-life wound care is crucial for patient comfort and dignity. This guide covers practical tips for preventing infection, managing symptoms, and supporting caregivers during this sensitive time. Learn how to make wound care a compassionate part of hospice and palliative care.
Read MoreEnd of Life Wound CareCompelling Hospice Nursing Narratives: Ensuring Continued Eligibility and Comprehensive Care
This guide covers how to write effective hospice nursing narratives, key documentation areas, and the importance of detailed and negative-based wording to support continued hospice eligibility.
Read MoreCompelling Hospice Nursing Narratives: Ensuring Continued Eligibility and Comprehensive CareHospice Nursing ADPIE
As a hospice nurse, you are vital in providing compassionate care to terminally ill patients and their families. To ensure the best possible outcomes, you rely on a systematic approach known as ADPIE: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation. This process guides you in delivering holistic and individualized care, addressing not only the physical needs of patients but also their emotional, spiritual, and psychosocial well-being.
Read MoreHospice Nursing ADPIEAdmission Nurse: Essential Questions to Ask During the Hospice Admission Visit
As a hospice admission nurse, asking the right questions is crucial for assessing patients' eligibility and providing compassionate care. This article explores critical questions to understand the patient's condition, decline timeline, hospitalizations, functional abilities, cognitive status, and comorbidities. By gathering this information, nurses can support informed decisions, tailor interventions, and ensure a "good death" for patients and families.
Read MoreAdmission Nurse: Essential Questions to Ask During the Hospice Admission VisitAssessing Patients on the FAST Scale: A Guide for Nurses
As a nurse who has cared for many terminally ill individuals with Alzheimer's disease over the years, I understand the importance of accurately assessing their functional decline using the Functional Assessment Staging Tool (FAST). The FAST scale provides valuable information about the progression of Alzheimer's disease and helps guide appropriate care planning for patients and their families. In this guide, I will walk you through the process of assessing patients on the FAST scale, starting from stage 1 and discussing when to stop reading the scale for determination. I will also provide three examples of patients at various stages of the FAST scale.
Read MoreAssessing Patients on the FAST Scale: A Guide for NursesRevisiting Time Management for a Hospice Visiting Nurse
Discover essential time management strategies for hospice visiting nurses. Learn how to balance patient care, documentation, and self-care while navigating the unique challenges of rural hospice work. Improve your efficiency and effectiveness in providing compassionate end-of-life care.
Read MoreRevisiting Time Management for a Hospice Visiting NurseHospice Eligibility for Diverse Dementia Diagnoses
Exploring Hospice Eligibility Criteria for Alzheimer's, Vascular, Lewy Body, Frontotemporal and other Dementias: Empowering Hospice Nurses to Provide Compassionate End-of-Life Care
Read MoreHospice Eligibility for Diverse Dementia DiagnosesEnsuring Quality Care: The Vital Role of Regular Care Plan Meetings
Uncover the importance of regular care plan meetings at healthcare facilities. This guide details participants, goals, benefits, and risks of non-participation.
Read MoreEnsuring Quality Care: The Vital Role of Regular Care Plan MeetingsHow RN Case Managers Can Maintain Good Compliance with Medicare Guidelines
As a seasoned hospice nurse, I recognize the significance of adhering to Medicare guidelines to ensure top-notch patient care. Medicare guidelines offer a roadmap for hospice providers to offer exceptional care to terminally ill patients and their loved ones. Nonetheless, upholding compliance with these guidelines can be a hurdle, especially for smaller hospice providers with limited resources. In this article, we'll delve into how RN case managers can effectively ensure compliance with Medicare guidelines.
Read MoreHow RN Case Managers Can Maintain Good Compliance with Medicare GuidelinesEducational Topics for Hospice Nurses During Admission and Post-Admission Visits
Discover essential educational topics for hospice nurses during admission and follow-up visits. Learn how to effectively communicate with patients and families, manage symptoms, provide emotional support, and navigate end-of-life care. Enhance your skills to deliver compassionate, comprehensive hospice care.
Read MoreEducational Topics for Hospice Nurses During Admission and Post-Admission Visits