Hospice Core Services, Research Paper Example

Hospice organizations are required to provide a set of services that will have a positive and lasting impact on patients who are served and which fall under the regulations and guidelines set forth by the federal government and specifically, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (Legal Information Institute, 2015). Employees working for these organizations must provide these services to the best of their ability and demonstrate a clear understanding of their roles and the expectations of the position in order to be effective in meeting the goals and objectives that have been established. When there is an excessive workload, it is possible that some hospice providers are able to extend these services to other providers with a written agreement in place (Legal Information Institute, 2015). Most importantly, hospice services must support comprehensive care and treatment for patients with terminal or life-threatening diseases for which end-of-life care is required.

The primary core services offered by hospice organizations are broad-based and support a number of more specific mandates and requirements to enable patients to receive high quality care and treatment to meet their needs. For example, standard care includes physician services, whereby these professionals are required to administer care and treatment for a given terminal illness, using the knowledge, tools, and resources that have been proven effective at the end of life (Legal Information Institute, 2015). Physicians must provide all required services directly and work with attending physicians as necessary so as not to disrupt the standard of care that is provided (Legal Information Institute, 2015). In addition, when physicians are unable to provide these services, other professionals must step in and manage patient care and treatment without disruptions (Legal Information Institute, 2015).

Nursing-based services are also considered to be core services of hospice organizations, as nurses provide expert knowledge and administer care and treatment under the direction and leadership of a registered nurse (Legal Information Institute, 2015). All assessments must be conducted in order to determine the patient’s overall health status and write orders as the law permits; furthermore, nurses must be able to provide specialty care as necessary so that patients are treated as necessary with a contract in place (Legal Information Institute, 2015). Nursing-based services are critical to hospice care and require an understanding of the health status of this patient population and what is required to ensure that they receive excellent care and treatment on a continuous basis.

Other core services provided by hospice include medical social services, whereby social workers are employed to work with physicians in order to address the comprehensive medical and social needs of these patients, including establishing a psychosocial assessment of the patient in order to be effective in managing his or her comprehensive plan of care as best as possible (Legal Information Institute, 2015). Social workers must work closely with physicians in order to develop an understanding of the different options that are available that will facilitate effective outcomes for patients and their families throughout the period when hospice care is required for these patients (Legal Information Institute, 2015).

Finally, comprehensive counseling services of different types are required in order to address problems related to stress and other issues that are associated with a terminal illness, along with the process related to death and dying (Legal Information Institute, 2015). Bereavement counseling is one type of service that is available for family members who have lost patients to a terminal disease in order to address their needs as best as possible, while dietary counseling is also available to address dietary needs, using the knowledge and expertise of a qualified dietitian (Legal Information Institute, 2015). Finally, spiritual counseling must be available to address spiritual needs and concerns as best as possible (Legal Information Institute, 2015).

References

Legal Information Institute (2015). 42 CFR 418.64 – Condition of participation: core services. Retrieved from https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/42/418.64