Hospice pt/emergencies

[joyflnoyz, LPN]

OK..I admit I'm not an expert on Hospice. I am a full supporter and love working with my patients we do have several hospice patients on our floor, and my dad has just been admitted to hospice (in home).

Yesterday a situation came up..resident's sitter was feeding her, and resident choked on the puree food- the the point of turning blue. I was able to clear the airway, calm the patient, got her settled into a W/C to keep her up for a bit. She looked straight into my eyes and said very clearly, but voice was low (first words to me in several weeks) "Just let me die"

I think I was the only one who heard her. Now I am struggling.

My (albeit limited) hospice teaching has been keep the patient comfortable, cause no distress. (SHe was definately in distress not being able to breathe) and that hospice does not mean "do not treat emergencies". Example with my dad, DX lung cancer, no further cancer treatment but we don't just cut out HTN and cardiac meds, or if he were bleeding we don't just let him bleed to death.

Please..did I do the right thing with my precious resident?

I need to learn more!!!

Thanks a bunch

[leslie :-D]

yes!

what you did was 100% correct.

hospice is keeping a pt. comfortable with their disease process; it does not mean to ignore a fluke accident.

just like if she choked on food, you wouldn't heimlich her because she's hospice? of course you would....

you did great and used good judgement.

leslie

[joyflnoyz, LPN]

Thanks, Leslie. Your kind words are a big help...