Do you know your rights when it comes to choosing your hospice care provider?
“It’s important to know that hospice is ultimately YOUR decision,” said Krista Steiner, RN, Hospice Coordinator for CHP Hospice. “Hospice admission requires a physician referral, but the patient or family can initiate the discussion with their doctor when the situation is appropriate.”
The decision of who to choose to provide hospice care services is also completely up to the patient and/or their family (or Medical POA). Your doctor or hospital may suggest a provider, but remember that doctors may be associated with the suggested provider.
“As a local hospice provider, we would like families to know what services are available, how each provider is different, and empower them to decide for themselves the hospice provider they prefer,” said Steiner. “It’s really too important of a decision to delegate to someone else.”
What should you look for when evaluating a hospice? While hospices are required by Medicare to offer similar core services, (physician, nursing, social work, and spiritual care), hospice providers are NOT the same. To make an informed decision on end-of-life care, consider these points:
• Accreditation – Hospices are not required to be certified or accredited, but those that seek outside accreditation exhibit a commitment to quality care and continually strive for excellence in patient care. CHP Hospice is nationally accredited by the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP), a national, independent, not-for-profit accrediting body for community-based health care organizations.
• Survey Results – Hospices that accept Medicare must complete patient surveys about various quality measures, including how well the hospice manages a patient’s pain. CHP Hospice patient and physician surveys consistently result in 95 percent or above satisfaction rates. As you investigate agencies, ask for their survey results.
• Reputation – What do others say about a particular hospice provider? Get references from people you know who have had experience with a provider and ask for their impressions. Anecdotal and word of mouth won’t paint a full picture but can provide valuable data.
• Hospice Team – Who is on the hospice team to help you and your loved one? The CHP Hospice team offers respite and personal care aides to bathe and care for patients and to give family caregivers a break. Massage therapy is also available to patients for comfort, and pain, and symptom relief. Music ministry, hospice pet therapy, and trained volunteers play roles in the CHP Hospice team.
• Services Provided – What services are offered in addition to basic hospice care? CHP offers comprehensive and unique support services like The Angel Foundation, which facilitates wishes for adults in Ohio with a terminal illness. Various wishes have been granted to local residents, including a trip to New Orleans and reuniting a family when a loved one was dying. (Learn more about Angel Foundation at www.ComHealthPro.org). CHP Hospice also offers stand-alone inpatient hospice centers in Defiance and Van Wert to manage symptoms when they’re not manageable at home and provide respite stays to give family caregivers a break.
• Local and Available – Where is the hospice provider located? Some providers may be located an hour or more away. CHP Hospice staff is local and because we are near, a nurse can respond quickly to needs and our office are located throughout the area so you can stop by to talk about our services anytime. CHP Hospice nurses do consultations at local doctors’ offices, hospitals, and patient homes.
To learn more about hospice services available locally, call or stop by your local CHP Home Care & Hospice or visit our website at www.ComHealthPro.org