Name of the Procedure:

Common name(s): Hospice Home Care
Technical or medical term: Q5010 - Hospice Home Care Provided in a Hospice Facility

Summary

Hospice home care, as provided in a hospice facility, focuses on comfort and quality of life for terminally ill patients in their final months. It offers comprehensive care addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs in a homelike setting.

Purpose

Medical Conditions:

• Terminal illnesses such as advanced cancer, heart failure, lung disease, neurological diseases, and more.

Goals:

• To relieve pain and other distressing symptoms.
• To provide emotional and spiritual support.
• To maintain the best possible quality of life.

Indications

• Patients diagnosed with a terminal illness with limited life expectancy (typically six months or less).
• Presence of significant and ongoing physical discomfort or emotional distress.
• A patient and family's choice to prioritize comfort over curative treatment.

Preparation

• Medical assessments to evaluate the patient’s condition.
• Discussing care goals with the healthcare team.
• Completing necessary paperwork, including consent forms.
• For patients and families: Bringing personal items for comfort and familiarity.

Procedure Description

1. Admission: Patient is admitted into the hospice facility.
2. Assessment: Comprehensive evaluation by the healthcare team, including symptom management, emotional needs, and nutritional status.
3. Care Plan Development: Individualized care plan created to address the patient’s specific needs.
4. Care Delivery: Consistent care including medication management, pain relief, emotional and spiritual support, and assistance with daily activities.
5. Ongoing Monitoring: Regular review and adjustment of the care plan based on patient’s changing needs.

Tools and Equipment:

• Medical beds, mobility aids, and other comfort equipment.
• Medications and medical supplies.

Anesthesia/Sedation:

• Typically not involved, unless for specific symptom management needs.

Duration

• Continuous care until end-of-life or until the patient is discharged (e.g., if condition improves or if transitioning to another care setting).

Setting

• Hospice facility, designed to feel like a home with specialized care environments.

Personnel

• Physicians specializing in palliative care.
• Registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.
• Social workers, chaplains, volunteers.
• Additional specialists as needed (e.g., dieticians, physical therapists).

Risks and Complications

• Minimal medical risks, focusing on maximizing comfort.
• Possible complications can include unmanaged symptoms, emotional distress, or coordination difficulties, which are managed by the care team.

Benefits

• Improved quality of life.
• Effective symptom relief.
• Emotional and spiritual support for both the patient and their family.
• Home-like environment that promotes comfort and dignity.

Recovery

• Ongoing palliative care aimed at comfort rather than active recovery.
• Emotional and grief support for family members before and after the patient’s passing.
• Regular follow-up and adjustment of the care plan as needed.

Alternatives

• Home hospice care: Patients stay in their own homes.
  • Pros: Familiar setting, comfort from being at home.
  • Cons: Requires family or professional caregivers to provide most of the care.
• Hospital-based palliative care.
  • Pros: Access to acute medical interventions.
  • Cons: Less homelike environment, may not focus as much on quality of life.

Patient Experience

• Warm, supportive, homelike atmosphere.
• Potential feelings of relief from pain and distress.
• Emotional support through counseling and companionship.
• Regular interaction with compassionate healthcare professionals dedicated to maximizing comfort and dignity.