Recently a consumer advocacy publication listed key factors to look for when selecting a hospice program, including making sure the hospice is nonprofit and is at least 20 years old. The publication also recommends choosing a hospice that has:
- doctors on staff
- doctors available 24 hours a day
- doctors and nurses specially trained in end-of-life care
Physicians to care for loved ones
It comes as a surprise to many people that some hospices do not have full-time physicians on their staff.
"Superior end-of-life care begins with physician-directed care," Dr. Thomson says. "That's why we have nine full-time physicians on our staff, dedicated to serving our patients."
Dr. Thomson reports that each of these physicians either has earned or is working toward board certification in hospice and palliative care. Hospice focuses on caring for patients who have a terminal illness, whereas palliative care is a sub-specialty of medicine focused on caring for people who have serious, but not necessarily terminal, illness. Both focus on providing patients with relief from the symptoms associated with their illness and supporting patients and families as they cope with the stress of their illness.
Physicians at Ohio's Hospice of Dayton serve patients in the inpatient hospice setting, such as the hospice house on Wilmington Avenue, as well as at home, in long-term care and assisted living facilities, and in hospitals.
"Physician availability means a lot, especially at 2 a.m. when a patient's condition has changed, and a caregiver needs expert medical advice right away," Dr. Thomson points out.
Nurses making a difference
Anyone who has benefited from excellent nursing care knows the difference that skilled and compassionate nurses can make.
Registered nurses can earn status as a Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN). This means they are specially trained to know the needs of patients facing life-limiting disease. While many hospice providers may have CHPNs on staff, 94 percent of Ohio's Hospice of Dayton nursing staff have earned this important certification.
"Just as you want your cardiologist to be specially trained in caring for heart disease and related symptoms, so, too, should you make sure that a hospice has physicians and nurses specially trained to understand and meet the specific needs of their patients and families," Dr. Thomson says.
"We're so proud of the wonderful reputation of Ohio's Hospice of Dayton, and much of the credit goes to the exceptional physicians and nurses serving our patients," she concludes.