Intake Nurses Improve Customer Service

     Hospice is a special healthcare option for patients and families who are faced with a terminal illness. A multi-disciplinary team of physicians, nurses, social workers, bereavement counselors and volunteers works together to address the physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs of each patient and family. The hospice team provides care to patients in their own home or a home-like setting regardless of the patient’s age or ability to pay. There are many things to consider when making a decision about hospice, including how you were treated when you called for the first time.
     Hospice of Southern Illinois focuses on patient and family-centered care and we want to make sure the transition into hospice care is a smooth one. No one has to die alone. One way we are working hard to make sure that with your first contact, whether it’s a question about hospice care or a loved one who needs hospice care, we have consistency, compassion, efficiency, effectiveness, and experience. To ensure this happens, we have hired intake nurses. The intake nurse has a responsibility to:
         
- Consistently be a point of contact for people who make a referral

- Coordinate our team and transition individuals smoothly into hospice care

- Show compassion and be friendly

- Use their hospice expertise to assist healthcare professionals and community members with the best plan for the patient’s individual needs

     This new position has proved successful and has improved our customer service. You can always be at ease calling Hospice of Southern Illinois because you know we are committed to be with our patients and their loved ones through the changing needs of the end-of-life process and grief experience, starting with the initial phone call!

{Meet Bobbie from the Belleville location and Debbie from the Marion location}

Hospice of Southern Illinois is here to teach you what hospice is, what we are about, and what we can do for you and your loved ones. No one has to go through the dying process alone. Hospice of Southern Illinois can help.

Live well, laugh often, and love much,

Christine Juehne

Hospice of Southern Illinois

Community Education

1-800-233-1708

www.hospice.org

June is PTSD Awareness Month - WHV Level III Status Achieved

June is PTSD Awareness Month

            Hospice of Southern Illinois is proud to announce our Level III Partner Status in the We Honor Veterans program, a collaboration between the NHPCO, VA, and community hospices.

            As part of our commitment to the We Honor Veterans program, we are helping raise awareness about PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) because June is PTSD Awareness Month. Our involvement, like many other hospices, ensures Veterans are getting the care they are entitled to and deserve. In addition to the healthcare benefits we offer to all patients, our interdisciplinary hospice team of physician, nurses, social workers, bereavement counselors, CNAs, and volunteers has special training to address the unique and specific physical, social, and emotional needs of Veteran patients and families, which can include PTSD.

            PTSD stands for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and can occur immediately following a traumatic event, or even rise up years later (in the case of a hospice patient, during their final months or days). Our mission is to enhance the quality of life at the end-of-life, so it is our goal to relieve PTSD stress and help them cope with their experiences so they can leave this world free of emotional pain. Below are steps to raising awareness about PTSD in order to identify, relate, and reach out.

10 Steps to Raise PTSD Awareness

1.   Know more about PTSD.
Understand common reactions to trauma and when those reactions might be PTSD.

2.   Challenge your beliefs about treatment.
PTSD treatment can help. We now have effective PTSD treatments that can make a difference in the lives of people with PTSD.

3.   Explore the options for those with PTSD.
Find out where to get help for PTSD and learn how to choose a therapist. Also see our Self-Help and Coping section to learn about peer support and other coping strategies.

4.   Reach out. Make a difference.
You can help a family member with PTSD, including assisting your Veteran who needs care. Know there is support for friends and family too.

5.   Know the facts.
More than half of US adults will experience at least one trauma in their lifetime. How common is PTSD? For Veterans and people who have been through violence and abuse, the number is higher.

6.   Expand your understanding.
Learn about assessment and how to find out if someone has PTSD. Complete a brief checklist or take an online screen to see if a professional evaluation is needed. June 20th is National PTSD Screening Day.

7.   Share PTSD information.
Share handouts, brochures, or wallet cards about trauma and PTSD.

8.   Meet people who have lived with PTSD.
Visit AboutFace, an online gallery dedicated to Veterans talking about how PTSD treatment turned their lives around.

9.   Take advantage of technology.
Download PTSD Coach mobile app and treatment companion apps in the National Center for PTSD's growing collection of mobile offerings.

10.        Keep informed.
Get the latest information about PTSD. Sign up for our PTSD Monthly Update, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Resource is provided by: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/about/ptsd-awareness/steps_raise_awareness.asp

     Please contact Hospice of Southern Illinois to speak with one of our special trained staff members about Veteran specific hospice care or PTSD, or visit http://www.ptsd.va.gov. We will be happy to take the time to get your questions answered. Help us share, educate, and reach out by subscribing to our blog and suggesting it to friends who will spread our message: Hospice of Southern Illinois is here to teach you what hospice is, what we are about, and what we can do for you and your loved ones. No one has to go through the dying process alone. Hospice of Southern Illinois can help.

Live well, laugh often, and love much,

Christine Juehne

Hospice of Southern Illinois

Community Education

1-800-233-1708

www.hospice.org

 



National Nurses Week Is Coming!

It is National Nurses Week May 6^th – May 12^th, help Hospice of Southern Illinois and a variety of other healthcare organizations celebrate the work of the nurses in our communities. Our nurses care for patients and families who are going through a difficult time in their life. They deserve a week designated to recognize their ability to provide outstanding, compassionate care, celebrate their will to go above and beyond, and appreciate the sacrifices they make for their patients and families they serve. Everyone works side by side with nurses every day not only in hospice, but in clinics, schools, hospitals, and more! If a nurse has touched your life in some way, take this designated week to thank them.

In 2013, the American Nursing Association noted the National Nurses Week theme as providing quality and innovation in patient care. “Hospice of Southern Illinois nurses represents the 2013 theme as much as any nursing team could. They not only provide the best care possible, they provide care as an art form and with compassion. Innovation brings our team to a new level. They are always working on new projects, researching new products, and exploring the cutting edge options for end-of-life care. I think so highly of them, I would call them to take care of my own family when that time comes. I think when you recommend your own to take care of your own, it speaks volumes!” says Christine Juehne, Print and Social Media Coordinator.

The history of National Nurses Week dates back to 1953. Each year May 6^th begins the celebration through the 12^th, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. Nursing takes a dedicated person with a passion for helping others. They advocate for their patients and passing healthcare regulations, they are leaders in the workplace and community managing the lives of others and taking initiative to make patients and families comfortable, and set the bar for providing compassionate care!

To learn more about National Nurses Week visit www.nursingworld.org. To learn more about Hospice of Southern Illinois or to apply for open nursing positions, visit https://www.hospice.org/how-can-i-support/careers/. Hospice of Southern Illinois is proud to be your community, not-for-profit hospice serving 27 counties in southern Illinois since 1981. If you have any questions call 1-800-233-1708 or visit www.hospice.org. 

New Research Validates that Hospice Saves Medicare Dollars

New Research Validates that Hospice Saves Medicare Dollars

NHPCO released an excellent article highlighting a study about the benefits of hospice care and its ability to improve the quality of life. Not only did the article talk about how hospice improves the quality of life, but it also discussed how hospice saves Medicare dollars. Did you know the average person spends about $39,000 on aggressive treatments at the end of life according to CNN Money? Did you know many hospices provide care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay? Sometimes people feel that paying a really high price means they are paying for the best care available when that care may not be what a loved one even wants. How do we decide when aggressive treatment or when quality of life is the route to go?

The NHPCO’s article helps people understand that sometimes less is more in terms of the cost of care. Like previously mentioned, many hospices provide care regardless of patient’s ability to pay and focuses on quality of life rather than length of life. This may strike a question, then how does it save Medicare dollars? Great question! Even when patients are not charged, someone has to cover these services and Medicare is the biggest source of funding for hospice organizations, for-profit and not-for-profits alike. With this said, below are the highlights from the study which can be reviewed in detail, click here.

“Despite its demonstrated potential to both improve quality of care and lower costs, the Medicare hospice benefit has been seen as producing savings only for patients enrolled 53–105 days before death. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study, 2002–08, and individual Medicare claims, and overcoming limitations of previous work, we found $2,561 in savings to Medicare for each patient enrolled in hospice 53–105 days before death, compared to a matched, non hospice control. Even higher savings were seen, however, with more common, shorter enrollment periods: $2,650, $5,040, and $6,430 per patient enrolled 1–7, 8–14, and 15–30 days prior to death, respectively. Within all periods examined, hospice patients also had significantly lower rates of hospital service use and in-hospital death than matched controls. Instead of attempting to limit Medicare hospice participation, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services should focus on ensuring the timely enrollment of qualified patients who desire the benefit." (Health Affairs, 2013)

(NHPCO 2011 Facts & Figures Report)

            What does this all mean? Overall it means to save money and receive the best care available, when desired, patients should enroll at the earliest time possible into hospice care to receive the overall benefit of the best quality of life possible and saving themselves money, as well as saving Medicare dollars. Keep these facts in mind when hospice touches your life. Call 24/7 to get your questions answered, 1-800-233-1708.

Help us share, educate, and reach out by subscribing to our blog and suggesting it to friends who will spread our message: Hospice of Southern Illinois is here to teach you what hospice is, what we are about, and what we can do for you and your loved ones. No one has to go through the dying process alone. Hospice of Southern Illinois can help.

Live well, laugh often, and love much,

Christine Juehne

Hospice of Southern Illinois

Community Education

1-800-233-1708

www.hospice.org



When to Call Hospice of Southern Illinois

Patients and families can be exhausted emotionally and physically throughout their end of life journey. Hospice of Southern Illinois is here to help ease the stress associated with terminal illnesses. Feeling hesitant or confused about when to call hospice while utilizing hospice services is completely normal and expected. There are many times we have found that patients and families are unsure when to call, so we have provided a list of the most appropriate times to give us a call; furthermore, if you are unsure whether to call hospice versus the doctor, hospital, ambulance or anyone else, call us first. We can then recommend the next step from there.

Please Call Hospice of Southern Illinois Immediately (800-233-1708):

• any change in patient’s condition
• changes or need for changes in medications
•  if the patient has a fall
• changes in spiritual needs
• patient/family concerns
• at time of death
• changes of medical equipment needs

        We have nurses and counseling services available on-call 24/7/365 to assist you and your loved ones with any questions you may have regarding hospice or a loved one’s end-of-life care. If your request is not urgent, our website www.hospice.org is full of valuable resources and information to assist you.

Help us share, educate, and reach out by subscribing to our blog and suggesting it to friends who will spread our message: Hospice of Southern Illinois is here to teach you what hospice is, what we are about, and what we can do for you and your loved ones. No one has to go through the dying process alone. Hospice of Southern Illinois can help.

Live well, laugh often, and love much,

Christine Juehne

Hospice of Southern Illinois

Community Education

1-800-233-1708

www.hospice.org