Hospice Management Advisor Archives – February 1, 2005
February 1, 2005
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ICUs and dialysis centers present untapped opportunities for hospice
Patients who are dying during the course of intensive care or end-stage renal disease could greatly benefit from referrals to hospices, even if such referrals are made within days of the patients death, experts say.To enhance relationships with hospitals, dispel myths
Sometimes all it takes is a myth to prevent hospices from developing a more productive relationship with hospitals.Improve admission process by following best practices
Admitting patients into hospice care is a significant challenge because of issues related to timing and making the first contact with the patient a pleasant experience.Small changes for HHAs in new labor standards
Changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) that passed in 2004 still may be under fire from opponents, but experts say home health managers should not wait for any rollback of the rules.JCAHO self-assessments to become yearly event
Many home health managers initially were apprehensive about periodic performance reviews (PPR), the self-evaluation required by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations at the midpoint of an accreditation cycle. However, the response to the process following implementation has been so positive that the Joint Commission will make the PPR an annual requirement beginning in 2006.Options to Joint Commission periodic performance reviews
In response to concerns of health care attorneys and risk managers that information contained in a health care organizations periodic performance review (PPR) may be discoverable in a legal action, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations developed these options to the PPR.Parents’ skills crucial for pediatric patients
Home care agencies providing care to pediatric patients must pay careful attention to the competency of the parent caregiver to make sure he or she is ready for the challenge of caring for a child on a ventilator or a feeding tube.Protect patients’ right to choose their own provider
Providers increasingly are concerned that physicians may violate their patients right to freedom of choice of providers.