Hospice question

[Fordiesel69]

I am going to write a review for the hospice company we used.

It will be mostly favorable with only 1 or two minor annoyances.

All hospice companies must have a certified doctor on their leadership team. It is a requirement.

During the 3 months our family and the patient did not see this doctor not one time. What is the purpose of this doctor, and is it even necessary for them to make a house visit? I ask because we were on top of things and nothing escelated in such a way that we needed him. The nurses and nurse aides were more than sufficient, and almost angel like. Watching them deal with what we thought was difficult, they made it look like a cake walk.

When we needed to add on a new medication this doctor was unreachable.

 

[JeffKeryk]

I'm sorry for your experience. I've had incredible help from 2 hospice experiences. No complaints.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

When my father was at the end of life, we worked with a similar organization to manage his last week.
The only interaction from the doctor was monitoring certain vitals to determine pain levels and adjust the morphine dosage appropriately.

 

[xspeedy]

I have used at home hospice for both of my parents. A doctor has never come out. I believe they are only there as a matter of some requirement and perhaps the nurses consult as needed. The patient is dying and the main thing is to make them comfortable. I wasn’t terribly impressed with the nurses as we were continuing a bunch of pills for things like diabetes and blood pressure. My mom had trouble swallowing pills so we were grinding them up, but I finally asked why we were bothering with medications for a terminal patient, and so we stopped them.

 

[MrkofXcellence]

I believe the doctor performs the same role as they do in EMT departments, chief medical officer. Setting policy, etc. Those Hospice folks are top notch.

 

[Touring5]

I am going to write a review for the hospice company we used.

It will be mostly favorable with only 1 or two minor annoyances.

All hospice companies must have a certified doctor on their leadership team. It is a requirement.

During the 3 months our family and the patient did not see this doctor not one time. What is the purpose of this doctor, and is it even necessary for them to make a house visit? I ask because we were on top of things and nothing escelated in such a way that we needed him. The nurses and nurse aides were more than sufficient, and almost angel like. Watching them deal with what we thought was difficult, they made it look like a cake walk.

When we needed to add on a new medication this doctor was unreachable.

My mom was in hospice for several months with a major hospital organization. She never saw the doctor, but her RN visited weekly and a nurse was always on call. Aides were available whwnever requested. Equipment, medications, and supplies were provided with haste.

The doctor's signed the death certificate and I assume got reports in the group's weekly meeting.