Mesothelioma Treatment-frequently asked questions about Hospice Care

 Mesothelioma Treatment-frequently asked questions about Hospice Care

There are a number of issues that need to ask you if you and your family have decided to cancer disease is looking for the services of a hospice program in managing your advanced mesothelioma. These common questions are :1-What is the accreditation status of your prospective hospice? Is the agency accredited (certified and licensed) by a nationally recognized group such as the Joint Commission? The Joint Commission is an independent, not-for-profit organization that evaluates and accredits health care organizations and programs. It is an important resource for the selection of a quality health care services.2-is the agency certified? Is the hospice program Medicare certified? If so, this means that the agency has Medicare-certified minimum requirements for patient care and met-management.3 is licensed agency? The Agency Is your state license? 4-If the Agency has a good consumer information?

If the agency have written statements outlining services, rules for eligibility, costs and payment procedures, employee job descriptions and malpractice and liability insurance? Ask them to give you any brochures or other information available on their services.5-What about references? How many years experience does the agency have? The Agency should be able to provide you with references from professionals, such as a hospital or community social workers who have worked this agency. Ask for names and phone numbers. A good agency will give you this if you ask for it. Talk to them about their experience with the hospice. Even with the Better Business Bureau, your local consumer Bureau or the State Attorney General's Office office.6-What are the criteria for approval by the Agency check used? How well does hospice work with each patient and family to apply policies or negotiate differences? If the hospice imposes conditions do not feel comfortable, it can be a sign that it not be a good fit for you.

If you are not sure whether you or your loved one to hospice or whether you also want it to be qualified, the agency is willing to work with you to help you to talk through these concerns? 7-What is your plan of care? If the agency create a plan of care for each new patient? Is the plan carefully and professionally developed with input from you and your family? Is the plan of care and written copies are given to all concerned? Check if it lists specific tasks, work hours / days, and the name and telephone number of the supervisor. Is the care plan to meet your needs updated change? Ask if you can look at a sample of care plan.8-Who is their required primary caregiver? Does the hospice you need to have a primary caregiver as a condition of approval? What tasks are expected from the primary caregiver? If anyone need to spend time with you? What help can the hospice offer to organize and support the efforts of the family? Can the hospice help you fill in around job schedules, travel plans or other tasks? If you live alone, can suggest what other options the hospice? 9-What is being done their initial assessment? Who knows the initial evaluation for the agency, it is a nurse, social worker or therapist that comes to you to talk about and evaluate the kind of services that you need? Is this done at your home, rather than over the phone? Is it to highlight what you can do yourself? Does it include input from your family doctor and / or other professionals already involved in your care? Are other members of your family included in this visit? 10 What kind of staff is with the agency? Do you have references on file for home care staff? (Should be required 2 or more) Ask how many references the agency for each employee, home care is required.

If the agency train, supervise and monitor their caregivers? Ask how often the agency sends a supervisor in order to verify the patient's home where the care to the patient. Ask if the caregivers licensed and bonded. Who do you call if you have questions or complaints? What is the procedure for solving problems? 11-What are the costs? How does the agency handle payment and billing? Get all financial arrangements, cost, payment method and billing writing. Read the agreement carefully before you sign. Be sure to keep a copy. What resources does the agency provide help, financial assistance if it is needed? What payment methods are available? Some other questions you are asking yourself on the telephone response to the Agency their limits of treatment and your rights and responsibilities as a patient, among other considerations .. Facing you and your loved ones are perhaps a sensitive and difficult time, facing imminent death is probably not something you can do yourself. Hospice care is a way to need the help that you can all. Please remember that to speak professional cancer information specialists who are ready to discuss your concerns. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at the National Cancer Information Center