Tag: Hospice Nurse
Articles about and for hospice nurses including tips and tricks to provide the best care the terminally ill patient deserves.
Celebrating the Legacy of Florence Nightingale in Hospice Nursing
In the realm of nursing, the spirit of Florence Nightingale, the pioneer of modern nursing, continues to illuminate the path for nurses across various specialties. Her legacy, rooted in compassion, patient-centered care, and unwavering dedication, resonates deeply with nurses from all walks of life. However, we discover a profound connection to Florence Nightingale's nursing model within hospice nursing. This article will explore the distinctive qualities that set hospice nurses apart, including their remarkable autonomy, acute assessment skills, problem-solving abilities, and holistic approach to patient care.
Read MoreCelebrating the Legacy of Florence Nightingale in Hospice NursingHow 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 GuidelinesPost-Admission Visit in Hospice Care: What to Expect and Questions to Ask
If you or someone you love has a serious illness that cannot be cured, you may have heard of hospice care. Hospice care is a special kind that focuses on making the patient comfortable and peaceful in their final days. Hospice care also supports the family and caregivers emotionally and spiritually.
When a patient joins hospice care, they will have a special meeting with a hospice nurse. This meeting is called the post-admission visit. It is an especially important visit because it will help the patient and the family get to know the hospice team and learn more about the care they will receive.
This article will explain what to expect and what to ask during the post-admission visit. We will also provide tips and resources to help you and your loved one make the most of this time. We hope this article will help you feel more prepared and confident about the hospice journey.
Read MorePost-Admission Visit in Hospice Care: What to Expect and Questions to AskDemonstrating Compassion
Compassion in hospice care involves recognizing and alleviating the suffering of patients and their families. It requires empathy, active listening, appropriate touch, and advocating for comfort.
Read MoreDemonstrating CompassionEducational Topics for Hospice Nurses During Admission and Post-Admission Visits
As a hospice registered nurse case manager, your role is pivotal in providing compassionate end-of-life care to patients and supporting their families. Effective education during admission and post-admission visits is crucial to ensure comprehensive care and minimize unnecessary visits and calls. Here's a guide to the educational topics you should cover during these visits, with a focus on patient comfort and preparing for a dignified end-of-life journey.
Read MoreEducational Topics for Hospice Nurses During Admission and Post-Admission VisitsHospice Nursing Visit Frequencies: A Guide for New Hospice Nurses
As a hospice nurse, determining the appropriate frequency of scheduled nurse visits for your patients is essential to providing effective and compassionate end-of-life care. Patients and their families often rely on your expertise to ensure comfort and well-being during this sensitive time. In this article, we'll discuss suggested starting scheduled nurse visit frequencies, when to decrease or increase frequencies, and factors to consider based on patient acuity and changes in their condition.
Read MoreHospice Nursing Visit Frequencies: A Guide for New Hospice NursesUnderstanding Hospice Eligibility for Terminally Ill Patients with Non-Alzheimer’s Dementia
As experienced caregivers, we know how crucial it is to accurately assess and determine hospice eligibility for our terminally ill patients. Today, let's focus on patients with non-Alzheimer's dementia. While the FAST scale is not applicable in these cases, there are other signs and symptoms we should be observant of to support and prove hospice eligibility. Let's dive in!
Read MoreUnderstanding Hospice Eligibility for Terminally Ill Patients with Non-Alzheimer’s DementiaBreast Cancer: Navigating the Journey with Compassion
Breast cancer is a tough road, affecting patients and their families deeply. As a hospice nurse case manager specializing in compassionate end-of-life care, I comprehend the significance of offering clear, empathetic guidance to families in this challenging situation. This article delves into the journey through breast cancer, the changes your loved one might undergo, and how to deliver optimal care from diagnosis to life's end.
Read MoreBreast Cancer: Navigating the Journey with CompassionUnderstanding the Patient’s Question: When Will I Die?
Navigating the tender journey of hospice care, Compassion Crossing offers guidance on addressing the pivotal question of “when?”—a beacon for caregivers seeking solace and understanding in life’s final chapter.
Read MoreUnderstanding the Patient’s Question: When Will I Die?Understanding the Importance of the PAINAD Scale in Pain Assessment for Terminally Ill Patients
As experienced hospice nurses, our primary goal is to provide the best possible care and comfort to our terminally ill patients during their final journey. Pain management is a crucial aspect of hospice care, and it becomes even more challenging when dealing with patients who may have difficulty expressing their pain due to cognitive impairments or other factors. In such situations, the PAINAD scale emerges as a valuable tool for pain assessment. Let's explore why and when using the PAINAD scale is essential, particularly when patients consistently over or underreport their pain.
Read MoreUnderstanding the Importance of the PAINAD Scale in Pain Assessment for Terminally Ill PatientsUnderstanding Liver Disease: A Guide for Families
Having a loved one diagnosed with liver disease can be a challenging and emotional journey for both the patient and their family. As an experienced hospice nurse with years of experience in hospice care, I understand the importance of providing compassionate and informative support during this grim time. In this article, we will explore what to expect over the course of liver disease, the changes that may occur in your loved one, and how to provide the best care from onset until the end of life.
Read MoreUnderstanding Liver Disease: A Guide for FamiliesUnderstanding End Stage Renal Disease and How to Care for Your Loved One
If your loved one has been diagnosed with End Stage Renal Failure, it's natural to feel overwhelmed and unsure about what to expect during the course of the disease. As an experienced hospice nurse with years of experience, I am here to guide you through this journey with compassion and empathy. In this article, we will cover what End Stage Renal Failure is, the changes you may observe in your loved one, and how to provide the best care from onset until the end of life.
Read MoreUnderstanding End Stage Renal Disease and How to Care for Your Loved OneA Holistic Approach: Hospice Nursing Assessment vs. Hospital/Nursing Home Assessment
As an experienced hospice nurse, I understand the importance of providing compassionate care that focuses on maximizing patient comfort and removing avoidable distress. The hospice nursing assessment differs from assessments conducted in hospitals or nursing homes, where the focus is often on normal versus abnormal vital signs and lab values. In this article, I will compare the hospice nursing assessment to assessments done in other healthcare settings, providing examples that highlight the unique approach of hospice nursing.
Read MoreA Holistic Approach: Hospice Nursing Assessment vs. Hospital/Nursing Home AssessmentUnderstanding Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and How to Care for Your Loved One: A Guide for Families
Receiving a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can be overwhelming for both the patient and their family. As an experienced hospice nurse with years of experience, I am here to provide you with information and support on what to expect over the course of the disease. In this guide, we will discuss the changes your loved one may experience and how you can best care for them from the onset of MS until the end of life.
Read MoreUnderstanding Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and How to Care for Your Loved One: A Guide for FamiliesThe Benefits of Deprescribing Medications in Hospice: A Guide for Patients, Families, and Hospice Nurses
I know how important it is to provide comfort and support during this challenging journey. One aspect of hospice care that often raises concerns is deprescribing medications. In this article, we'll explore what deprescribing is and why it can benefit patients nearing the end of life.
Read MoreThe Benefits of Deprescribing Medications in Hospice: A Guide for Patients, Families, and Hospice Nurses