Summa Health System in Akron, OH, takes an interdisciplinary approach to the care of terminally ill patients, providing seamless support across the continuum of care, says Diane Siddall, RN, CHPN, case manager with Hospice of Summa.
Health care professional who work with dying patients should be protective of themselves, take comfort in how they have helped patients and families, and seek support from their coworkers in dealing with the emotions that death and dying stir up, says Elizabeth Clark, PhD, ACSW, MPH, executive director of the National Association of Social Workers, based in Washington, DC.
Failure to adequately prepare for the advent of the National Provider Identifier (NPI) will have a significant impact on provider reimbursement, says Beth Keith, CHAM, senior management consultant for ACS Healthcare Solutions.
Hospital case managers and social workers are in a perfect position to help patients and family members come to terms with end-of-life decisions before they are in a crisis situation, asserts Catherine M. Mullahy, RN, BS, CRRN, CCM.