According to the Kubler-Ross model, there are 5 stages of grief… Here I will explain these 5 stages from a nurse’s perspective.

Keeping it local has become a trend as of late. Some people do it to invest in their community while others may do it as a matter of convenience. Doing business with local pharmacies has always been a mainstay for hospice and especially with independent pharmacies. Hospice benefits using the team approach when caring for the dying patient. Using the triad: physician, pharmacist, nurse approach lends to better end of life care.

As a hospice and palliative care provider, we are being welcomed into a patient’s life, sometimes even their home, at the most vulnerable time in their life. It is a time where we can easily feel awkward and confused during moments of high-emotions.

Are you curious about E-Prescribing, E-Prescribing regulations, and what steps are necessary to start E-Prescribing at your hospice? Well, we have the answers you are looking for!

LUTHER MANOR HOSPICE IN WAUWATOSA, WI

We are lucky enough to work with hospices across the nation each day, and it is clear to us that no two hospices are the same. There are distinct qualities that differentiate one hospice from the next and it is our goal to highlight these qualities.

WHEN DO WE INTRODUCE HOSPICE OR PALLIATIVE CARE?

As we all know, many Americans die from chronic illnesses each year.

I would like to take this opportunity to poke holes in all of the false claims and rumors that exist about hospice care and everything associated with hospice.

What does hospice do about insulin?

Insulin is one of those controversial hospice medications when it comes to deciding coverage. However, let’s think through this more systematically and objectively…

Big changes are coming, folks!

So for those of you who don’t send us patient med sheets on a regular basis, I strongly encourage you to do so!

HOW CAN WE CONTAIN NON-HOSPICE SCRIPTS ORDERED IN THE FACILITY?!

Ever had a patient who you felt you had to continually go up and up and up on the pain and anxiety meds? Well…there is a good chance the “pain” is not just physical pain.

DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PALLIATIVE CARE AND HOSPICE? IF NOT, LET ME GIVE THE QUICK SCHPEEL, THEN I’LL TALK MORE ABOUT HOW TO HAVE THESE SUPER HARD DISCUSSIONS

We have talked about the concept of polypharmacy before – taking multiple medications daily for the same symptoms and/or treatments. This is a particularly large issue in hospice due to both cost and the time consumption.

WE’VE ALL SAID IT…”JUST GIVE THEM SOME ZOFRAN.” BUT IS THAT REALLY GOING TO HELP EVERYONE?

Is this prescription expensive? Is this a medication that is covered by hospice? Is this drug right for a hospice patient? These are questions that run through a nurse’s head when deciding and ordering medications for their hospice patients.