Hospice in LTC-Why vitals every shift?

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At my LTC facility, any patient on hospice must have vital signs every shift. Why? Is this a state mandated thing or just our last chance to annoy a dying patient when they are sleeping at night?

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Specializes in ICU.

Wow. Never worked hospice, but when I have a comfort care pt we only ever take their temp, MAYBE a quick pulse-ox just to determine where they're at. I don't agree with doing blood pressures or other uncomfortable, "annoying" things. I'm interested if any hospice nurses have a take on this.

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Totally inappropriate. Perhaps try addressing this with the hospice nurse when she comes. I doubt very serously she'd approve. You could also trying speaking with the MD if the DON etc. isn't receptive.

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

That's just crazy. What is the point? We do not do that in any facility I have ever been in.

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Sounds dumb to me. I try not to annoy residents as much as is allowed. If I think vitals were needed fine. But q shift vitals on a hospice patient just don't make sense.

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