If you or your loved one has chosen hospice care, you may have some questions about what to do in case of an emergency. You may wonder if you should call 911 or the hospice provider first. You may also want to know what happens if you call 911 and how it affects your hospice benefits.
Hospice care is a special type of care for people with terminal illnesses and a life expectancy of six months or less. It differs from other forms of medical care because it does not aim to cure the disease or prolong life. Instead, hospice care focuses on making patients comfortable and supporting them and their families.
Hospice care can be provided at home, in a hospice facility, or in another setting, such as a nursing home or a hospital. Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans cover hospice care. However, to receive hospice care, the patient or their representative must sign a consent form that states that they understand and agree to the goals and limitations of hospice care.
Unfortunately, not everyone who chooses hospice care stays in hospice care until the end of life. According to a study by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, about 18% of hospice patients unenroll from hospice care each year, and about 11% of hospice patients are hospitalized in the last month of life. These events can negatively affect the patient, their family, and the hospice provider.
The primary purpose of this article is to educate you on the reasons and implications of calling 911 for hospice patients. We will explain the philosophy and goals of hospice care, the risks and consequences of calling 911, and alternatives to calling 911. We hope this article will help you make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary complications for yourself or your loved one.
The Philosophy and Goals of Hospice Care
Hospice care is based on a philosophy that values the patient’s quality of life, comfort, and dignity. Hospice care recognizes that every person has a unique journey and deserves respect and compassion in their final days.
Hospice care aims to help the patient manage pain and symptoms, provide emotional and spiritual support, and prepare for the end of life. It does not aim to hasten or postpone death but to make the dying process as comfortable and peaceful as possible.
Hospice care is a choice made by the patient or their representative to accept the natural course of their terminal illness. Hospice care is not giving up or losing hope but embracing a different kind of hope for a meaningful and dignified end of life. Hospice care is not a place but a service that can be provided wherever the patient calls home.
The Risks and Consequences of Calling 911 for Hospice Patients
You may think calling 911 is the best way to help your loved one in an emergency. However, calling 911 for hospice patients can carry many risks and consequences you may not know about. Here are some of them:
Receiving invasive and painful procedures that may not be consistent with their wishes or values. When you call 911, the paramedics will try to save the patient’s life by any means necessary. This may include performing CPR, intubating, inserting IVs, giving medications, or shocking the heart. These procedures can be invasive and painful and may not match the patient’s wishes or values. For example, some patients may have a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order or a Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form stating they do not want these interventions. However, if the paramedics cannot access these documents, they must follow their protocols and do everything possible to revive the patient.
Being transferred to a hospital that may not be familiar with their condition or preferences. If the paramedics revive the patient, they will be taken to the nearest hospital for further treatment. However, the hospital may not know the patient’s condition or preferences. The hospital staff may not know the patient’s medical history, medications, allergies, or advance directives. They may also not have a relationship with the patient’s hospice provider or primary care physician. This can lead to confusion, miscommunication, and errors in patient care. The patient may also receive treatments that are not appropriate or beneficial for their terminal illness, such as surgery, chemotherapy, or dialysis.
Losing the benefits of hospice care and facing additional costs and burdens. When the patient is transferred to the hospital, they may temporarily or permanently lose their hospice benefits. This means they will not receive care and support from their hospice team, including the nurse, social worker, chaplain, or volunteer. They will also have to pay for the hospital bills and other expenses not covered by the hospice. This can create a financial and emotional burden for the patient and their family. The patient may also have to go through the process of re-enrolling in hospice care, which can be time-consuming and stressful.
Experiencing more stress, confusion, and suffering for themselves and their loved ones. Calling 911 for hospice patients can cause a lot of stress, confusion, and suffering for the patients and their loved ones. The patient may feel scared, angry, or betrayed by calling 911. They may also feel their wishes and values are not respected or honored. The patient’s loved ones may feel guilty, regretful, or conflicted about calling 911. They may also feel helpless, overwhelmed, or frustrated by the situation. The patient and their loved ones may lose the opportunity to spend quality time together, say goodbye, or have a peaceful and dignified death.
The Alternatives and Solutions to Calling 911 for Hospice Patients
Calling 911 for hospice patients is not the only option in an emergency. Some other alternatives and solutions can help you and your loved one avoid the risks and consequences of calling 911. Here are some of them:
Call the hospice nurse or team first, who are available 24/7 and can provide guidance and assistance. The hospice nurse or team is your best resource in an emergency. They know your loved one’s condition, preferences, and care plan. They can help you assess the situation, provide instructions, and send help if needed. They can also coordinate care with the patient’s physician or other healthcare providers. The hospice nurse or team can help you manage the patient’s pain and symptoms, calm their anxiety or agitation, and address their emotional and spiritual needs. They can also support you and your family through the crisis and help you cope with your feelings.
Having a clear and updated advance directive, such as a POLST or DNR, that specifies the patient’s wishes regarding resuscitation and other interventions. An advance directive is a legal document that allows a patient to express their wishes regarding their medical care if they cannot speak for themselves. A POLST (physician orders for life-sustaining treatment) or a DNR (do-not-resuscitate) order are examples of advance directives that state whether the patient wants to receive CPR or other life-saving measures. A clear, up-to-date advance directive can help you and the paramedics honor the patient’s wishes and avoid unwanted or unnecessary treatments. You should keep a copy of the advance directive in a visible and accessible place, such as on the refrigerator or near the patient’s bed. It would be best to inform the hospice provider, the patient’s physician, and the family members about the advance directive and its location.
Educating and communicating with family members and caregivers about the patient’s condition, expectations, and care plan. Educating and communicating with the family members and caregivers involved in the patient’s care is essential. They should know the patient’s condition, expectations, and care plan. They should also know the philosophy and goals of hospice care, the risks and consequences of calling 911, and the alternatives and solutions to calling 911. It would help if you had regular and honest conversations with them about the patient’s wishes, values, and preferences. It would help if you also discussed the possible scenarios and outcomes that may occur in an emergency. This can help you, your family members, and your caregivers stay on the same page and make informed decisions.
Seeking non-emergency help from other sources, such as a lift assist service, if needed. Sometimes, you may need assistance with non-emergent issues, such as moving the patient from the bed to the chair, changing the patient’s position, or cleaning the patient’s wound. You do not need to call 911 for these issues, as they are not life-threatening and do not require immediate medical attention. Instead, you can seek help from other sources, such as a lift assist service, a home health aide, a neighbor, or a friend. These sources can help you with the non-emergency issues and make the patient more comfortable. You should have a list of these sources and their contact information handy so you can call them when needed.
Conclusion
In this article, we discuss why hospice does not want you to call 911 before contacting the hospice provider. We have explained the philosophy and goals of hospice care, the risks and consequences of calling 911, and the alternatives and solutions to calling 911. We hope this article has helped you understand the reasons and implications of calling 911 for hospice patients.
We know that making decisions for yourself or your loved one in hospice care can be difficult and stressful. We want you to know that you are not alone. Your hospice provider is always there to support and guide you. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your hospice provider. They will be happy to answer your questions and address your concerns.
If you want to learn more about hospice care and related topics, here are some resources or links that you may find helpful:
Advance Care Planning – A website by the National Institute on Aging that provides information and tips on planning for your health care in case you cannot speak for yourself.
CaringInfo – A website by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization that offers free resources and information on end-of-life issues, such as grief, caregiving, and legal matters.
Thank you for reading this article. We hope that it has been helpful and informative. We wish you and your loved one all the best.
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