Services

A hospice doctor is part of your medical team. Your regular doctor or a nurse practitioner can also be part of this team as the attending medical professional to supervise your care. However, only your regular doctor (not a nurse practitioner that you’ve chosen to serve as your attending medical professional) and the hospice medical director can certify that you’re terminally ill and have 6 months or less to live.

The hospice benefit allows you and your family to stay together in the comfort of your home unless you need care in an inpatient facility. If the hospice team determines that you need inpatient care, the hospice team will make the arrangements for your stay.

The registered nurse plans, organizes and directs hospice care and is experienced in nursing, with emphasis on community health education/experience. The professional nurse builds from the resources of the community to plan and direct services to meet the needs of individual and families within their homes and communities.

Registered nurse completes an initial, comprehensive and ongoing comprehensive assessment of patient and family to determine hospice needs. Provides a complete physical assessment and history of current and previous illness(es) and Provides professional nursing care by utilizing all elements of nursing process.

The Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse is responsible for providing direct patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse. Responsibilities include following the plan of care, providing treatments, and working collaboratively with the members of the team to help meet positive patient care outcomes.

Vocational nurse provides direct patient care as defined in State Nurse Practice Act, including specialized duties related to end of life care and Implements current nursing practice following a comprehensive assessment and the plan of care.

The social worker assesses the psychosocial status of patients and families/caregivers related to the patient’s terminal illness and environment and communicates findings to the registered nurse and other members of the interdisciplinary group. Provides an assessment in the patient’s identified residence and assistance when this is not safe and another plan is required.

Carries out social evaluations, including family dynamics, caregiver abilities, communication patterns, high-risks for suicide, neglect or abuse and plans intervention based on evaluation findings. Counsels patient and family/caregivers as needed in relationship to stress, and other identified coping difficulties. Provides crisis intervention when necessary.

The Hospice Chaplain is responsible for the provision of spiritual care services to patients and families/caregivers of WESTSIDE HOSPICE COMFORT CARE, either directly or through coordination of care with other spiritual counselors and Assures spiritual assessment of patients and families/caregivers in the hospice program and appropriate services are rendered in a timely manner.

The Bereavement Coordinator is responsible to plan, implement, and maintain a bereavement program to meet the needs of families/caregivers from WESTSIDE HOSPICE COMFORT CARE for up to one (1) year following the death of the individual hospice patient.

Bereavement Coordinator Coordinates the assessment and delivery of grief counseling needs and services (one-to-one, groups, and ongoing follow-up) to ensure timely and appropriate services are provided to family/caregivers and plans for Bereavement Program development, expansion and refinement through annual evaluation of services.

The volunteer provides patient care and support services according to h is/her experience and training and in compliance with organization policies.The Volunteer serves as an integral member of the interdisciplinary group amid various settings: home care; respite; inpatient, bereavement and/or administrative; office duties.

Volunteer coordinator is responsible for planning, coordinating, and managing all volunteer program activities in the organization and Develop and maintain volunteer training and orientation program and Recruiting, educating, and selecting volunteers from at least three (3) recruitment sessions a year.

The physical therapist contracted or employed through the organization is responsible for providing physical therapy services and for adherence to all conditions outlined in the Service Employment Agreement.

Physical therapist initiates physical therapy program and instructs other personnel and/or family/ caregivers in certain phases of physical therapy with which they may work with a patient, as well as instructing them as to the goals of the physical therapy program for the patient by participating in case conferences and assessing and evaluating therapeutic/rehabilitative/functional status, and participation in the development of the total plan of care. Evaluates home environment.

The occupational therapist contracted or employed is responsible for the implementation of standards of care for occupational therapy services and for adherence to all conditions outlined in the Service or Employment Agreement.

Occupational therapist Evaluates patient’s functional status (muscle function, endurance, visual coordination, written and verbal communication skills , self-care ability, work capacity , etc.). Evaluates home environment for hazards or barriers to more independent living. Identifies equipment needs. Participates in the development of the individualized plan of care.

The speech-language pathologist, contracted or employed, is responsible for implementation of standards of care for speech language pathology services and for adherence to all conditions in the Service Agreement.

Speech therapist Conducts appropriate evaluative procedures, assesses home environment (as appropriate), identifies equipment needs relative to speech/language function and Identifies functional speech defects and establishes goals and plan of care to improve patient’s function and participates in the development of the plan of care and administrating speech therapy program utilizing specialized therapeutic technique and/or equipment.

The registered dietitian plans, organizes, and conducts dietetic education for nursing personnel and other personnel. Functions as a member of the interdisciplinary team with expertise in nutritional care.

Develops and implements a nutritional plan of care which is based on a comprehensive assessment of nutritional needs as part of the patient’s total plan of care. Evaluates and reports results appropriately.

Pharmacy agrees to provide oral and liquid medications, injectables, suppositories, trans-dermal, IV fluids, enteral products and incontinent supplies, medical supplies and other ancillary services, herein referred to as “Products”, to the Client and its patient using its best effort to deliver all ordered Products within a reasonable time in accordance with the current deferral and state law. Emergency medication must be delivered within 4 hours. All drugs are available to meet patient needs on a 24 hour basis, 7 days a week.