HOSPICE CARE IN LTC

[ktwlpn, LPN]

I'm wondering how many of you work closely with palliative care/hospice in your LTC? I would love to see that as it's own speciality category on the web site if others share my interest. It certainly presents it's own unique challenges.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

We have contracts with several hospice providers. One of them provides excellent care. We consider them to be part of our team so it works very well.

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

We have a few hospices that come to our facility. They normally come in for the admissions and then a one -2 times a week depending on the resident's status. I rarely see them or have contact with them because I work weekends and 3-11. For the most part, we already provide the same care that they do. They are great for the family support. Sometimes it just seems like a hinderance...we still have to call the doctor ourselves, get the verbal orders, get the meds from pharmacy (on the weekends....it is horrible and a lot of phone calls, faxes etc) medicate and assess the resident and call the family etc. Maybe it depends on the hospice, but most don't provide 1 : 1 even when they are actively dying. It is nice to have another nurse to call and suggest orders etc, but we are the ones that call the doc and do the rest.

[caliotter3]

Had a hospice patient here or there. Only difference was that we were told to call the hospice nurse if the patient passed or there was a problem. The last time that happened, the hospice nurse didn't even come out. She told me to do everything.