ARTICLE SUMMARY

Bright and shining, the coin flew up from the referee’s hand.  “Call it” he said to the opponent.  “Heads I win, tails you loose”.  The opponent did not give a choice, they forced one side of the issue in their favor.  Giving patients the right to refuse medical treatment without the right to receive medical treatment is just that – not a choice, but a forced agenda.

Signs of poor quality hospice care:

• Pushes their agenda of care -     possibly shortening life.
• Refuses you and your loved one control over health care decisions.
• Does not consult you or your loved one on choices.
• Makes decisions without your knowledge or consent.
• Does not explain choices and options.
• Refuses to listen, refuses to take patient concerns to heart.

If you are not able to resolve the problem through the hospice staff members, take your complaints higher up within the company.
 
The State Department of Health is the final solution if you do not receive the kind of care and treatment you can reasonably expect.

Work differences out if possible, keeping in mind your dying loved one’s care.  The hospice company should do the same thing.

What makes a BAD hospice company BAD

Bright and shining, the coin flew up from the referee’s hand.  “Call it” he said to the opponent.  “Heads I win, tails you loose”.  The opponent did not give a choice, they forced one side of the issue in their favor.  Giving patients the right to refuse medical treatment without the right to receive medical treatment is just that – not a choice, but a forced agenda.  Refusal by a hospice company to do something that is reasonably requested by your loved one or you is a bad sign.

Control over your dying loved one’s health care is something that you will want to maintain.  This goes for doctors, hospitals and hospice companies.  If your hospice company refuses you and your loved one control over health care decisions, then it may be time to look for another hospice.

Involvement of you, your loved one and your doctor are key to a successful treatment plan.  If the hospice company does not consult you on choices, does things without your knowledge or consent, or does not explain choices and options, then you may consider changing hospice companies, especially after filing such complaints using the hospice complain policy, something they are required by law to share with you.

Bad hospice experiences are usually the result of poor communication between the patients and the hospice company.  If the hospice staff member refuses to listen, refuses to take their patients concerns to heart, these are indications of problems.

If you are not able to get resolution to the problem through the hospice staff members, take your complaints hire up.  Do not fear retribution against your loved one – if that happens, the hospice company could find itself out of business if they pursue that course of action.  

The State Department of Health is the final solution if you do not receive the kind of care and treatment you can reasonably expect.  But communication should first start with your nurse.  I know that seems hard, but it is the right thing to do.  Complaints to the state without giving the hospice company a chance to fix whatever happened, would seem like an unjust solution.  Work differences out if possible, keeping in mind your dying loved one’s care.  The hospice company should do the same thing.