Palliative medicine and Hospice care have become increasingly important in the age of modern medicine. That said the transition to hospice care could be a confusing, emotional, experience for both the patient and the caregiver. There has become increasing awareness of this issue, which is evident in the amount of hospital readmissions of hospice patients. Researchers addressed this issue with an article titled “Rehospitalization of Older Adults Discharged to Home Hospice Care,” (Goldenheim et al., 2014). The article focuses on readmission within 30 days for adults over the age of 65. Goldenheim et al. stated that 20% of hospice patients are readmitted within that time period. The goal of the study was to identify factors associated with
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The focus is on providing comfort and support to those who have less than six months to live, instead of continued medical care. This definition is important because 1.5 million patients currently utilize hospice care, which enables providers to improve the quality of care given, while limiting health care expense (Meier, 2011). This reduction of expense and suffering is inhibited by hospital readmissions. The study notes that cancer patients who disenrolled in hospice during the first 30 days were 39% more likely to be hospitalized (Goldenheim et al., 2014). Care for this type of patient requires significant resources and interdisciplinary assistance, with little to no hope of recovery or improvement in health. However, little is known about the decision factors for patients and their families to either repeal hospice care, or to admit the patient during hospice care. Research regarding this information could prevent patient readmission and alert health care professionals of ways to deter continued intensive …show more content…
Further study is needed to determine the success rate of palliative care consultations, primary care doctor intervention, and family dynamics in the complex progression of hospice care. Researchers did acknowledge that improved communication could prevent readmission. The study should be replicated and expanded to reflect a larger sample size and patient/family perceptions of hospice care. The authors note the statistical insignificance of the study, but bring up potential measures for future research regarding the topic.
Application to Nursing Practice
The study is limited in generalizability but could be used by future researchers and practitioners as a discussion point for potential problems encountered during hospice care. Practitioners caring for the patient can initiate discussion and education about the hospice process, which may result in decreased concerns from the patient and their family. Primary care doctor intervention may be especially important for out patient hospice care to be successful. These providers should educate themselves about palliative care and should enlist the help of home or in-patient hospice
The focus is on providing comfort and support to those who have less than six months to live, instead of continued medical care. This definition is important because 1.5 million patients currently utilize hospice care, which enables providers to improve the quality of care given, while limiting health care expense (Meier, 2011). This reduction of expense and suffering is inhibited by hospital readmissions. The study notes that cancer patients who disenrolled in hospice during the first 30 days were 39% more likely to be hospitalized (Goldenheim et al., 2014). Care for this type of patient requires significant resources and interdisciplinary assistance, with little to no hope of recovery or improvement in health. However, little is known about the decision factors for patients and their families to either repeal hospice care, or to admit the patient during hospice care. Research regarding this information could prevent patient readmission and alert health care professionals of ways to deter continued intensive …show more content…
Further study is needed to determine the success rate of palliative care consultations, primary care doctor intervention, and family dynamics in the complex progression of hospice care. Researchers did acknowledge that improved communication could prevent readmission. The study should be replicated and expanded to reflect a larger sample size and patient/family perceptions of hospice care. The authors note the statistical insignificance of the study, but bring up potential measures for future research regarding the topic.
Application to Nursing Practice
The study is limited in generalizability but could be used by future researchers and practitioners as a discussion point for potential problems encountered during hospice care. Practitioners caring for the patient can initiate discussion and education about the hospice process, which may result in decreased concerns from the patient and their family. Primary care doctor intervention may be especially important for out patient hospice care to be successful. These providers should educate themselves about palliative care and should enlist the help of home or in-patient hospice