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How to Explain Hospice Policies and Procedures Manuals

Author: Riki William
by Riki William
Posted: Jun 06, 2021
policy procedures

One of the most important tasks of hospice is to explain Hospice Policies and Procedures Manuals to families who are receiving hospice care. The families of the terminally ill person face tremendous stresses because they know that even though they have made all the arrangements for their loved one's care, their loved one will not be able to take more medications until the time that hospice care is offered. In addition, they worry about how they will pay for all of the bills that have accumulated as the result of their loved one's care. When dealing with this issue on a daily basis, it is easy for misunderstanding to occur.

It is essential for a hospice provider to remember that the purpose of hospice is to improve the quality of life for the patient. This is accomplished by reducing the symptoms of the illness, but it is also accomplished by preventing additional medical care claims from having to be paid out. Therefore, it is not only important for the hospice provider to provide an accurate account of the options that are available to the families regarding the management of the care. It is equally important that the families themselves understand what these options are and what they mean to them. It is vital that they understand the difference between a "standby" option and an "admitted" option.

Providing a complete and detailed hospice policy and procedures manual is necessary so that every member of the care team is clear on the roles and responsibilities that they have. Each member of the care team should be expected to review the policy and procedures manual each day. Each time this manual is reviewed, mistakes that have been made in the past should be corrected. When mistakes are made, they should be immediately noted and corrected. By doing this, the quality of care that is offered to the families is maintained at its highest.

Hospice is often thought of as a charity, since it provides a quality level of medical care to those who suffer with incurable illnesses. Unfortunately, there are some families who choose to go to a hospice rather than be treated with life-saving measures. A policy or procedure manual should include a statement of moral responsibility to those families. A moral responsibility statement states that the hospice organization will adhere to the standards set forth by the organization. These standards generally include respect for the individual's dignity, respect for the individual's family, and respect for the individual's rights. It is also important for the manual to clearly indicate that no one should be discriminated against when it comes to end-of-life decisions.

The policy manual should also include a statement of understanding regarding end-of-life decisions. This section lays out the specific actions that the hospice policy and procedures will take when it is decided that the life of a family member has ended. For example, it may decide that the patient will be given palliative care until the hospice nurse can provide more invasive treatment options. The family of the patient should be made aware of these actions ahead of time, so that they have a clear understanding of what will happen once the decision has been made. In addition, it is essential to have this section included if a patient in a hospice is pregnant or soon to become pregnant. The policy manual should clearly state which situations apply to such patients and which do not.

Finally, it is essential to explain what happens once the decision has been made to terminate the life of a patient. Many people often find it difficult to deal with the fact that their loved one is on their death bed, because they feel as though they have done everything they can to take care of him or her in their last moments. Be sure to address these issues in your policy manual. This will give families who are dealing with such decisions an opportunity to learn and grow from their experiences. Get more details from https://www.certifiedhomecareconsulting.com/hospice-policies-and-procedures/

About the Author

Ricky is a graduate of computer science engineering, a writer and marketing consultant. he continues to study on Nano technology and its resulting benefits to achieving almost there.

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Author: Riki William
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Riki William

Member since: Feb 11, 2017
Published articles: 1917

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