Diana Cazier Shares: The Hospice Nurse

Diana Cazier

                I want to take some time in the next couple of weeks to talk about the roles and responsibilities of the different members of the Hospice team.

                The first contact someone may have with Hospice is a referral from their Doctor or some other medical facility.  A great number of Hospice patients are referrals from a physician, but not as many as you would think.  Many of those first contacts may come from a friend or family member.

                Regardless of how the referral comes about, when the need arises, Hospice will be there.   The Hospice team works with the patient and primary caregiver to develop a personalized care plan. The team respects patient wishes and helps to foster communication amongst family members.  The member of the hospice team responsible for the coordination of all aspects of care is the Registered Nurse (RN) and will most likely be the first person to have contact with the patient and primary caregivers.    The RN will give training and support to the primary caregiver and others involved in the care of the patient.   The RN works with the patient and primary caregiver to develop a personalized care plan. The team respects patient wishes and helps to foster communication amongst family members

Leslie Braithwaite, Freedom's Patient Care Coordinator.

            An RN visits the home to learn about the situation and needs of both the family and the patient.  This person will work specifically with the primary caregivers and the patient to develop a plan that will best fit their needs and desires for care.  Every situation is unique and therefore has differing needs and hopes for what is expected.  

            Return visits are set up so that the needs of both the patient and primary caregivers can be re-evaluated regularly.  Home Hospice programs have an on-call nurse who answers phone calls day and night, makes home visits, or sends a team member that may be needed between scheduled visits. The Hospice team is specially trained to provide medical assistance and to deal with the loneliness and fears experienced by both the patient and his or her loved ones.  

             Leslie Braithwaite is the Patient Care Coordinator for Freedom Home Health and Hospice. She has had over 20 years of nursing experience with Hospice Patients and easily anticipates the needs of each and every client

            One of the most important duties for this coordinating RN is education.  It is so important for everyone involved to have an understanding of what is going on around them.  The RN is able to answer questions and find others who will help to meet concerns.  

                It truly takes a special person to be a Hospice Nurse.  It requires compassion and a special intuition to recognize the needs of the patient and family and help to meet those needs.