Introduction
Hospice care is a comprehensive set of measures designed to provide maximum comfort and quality of life for individuals in the final stages of life. Many evidence-based practices can improve the quality of hospice care and increase patient satisfaction. In this essay, I will discuss how, as a hospice administrator, I plan to use evidence-based practices in hospice care. As a hospice administrator, I am committed to delivering the highest quality care to our patients and intend to implement evidence-based practices in hospice care to achieve this goal. By incorporating these practices, we can ensure that our patients receive the highest quality of care and support, informed by the latest evidence and research.
Definition of Hospice Care
Hospice care is a method of treatment for people with a constrained life expectancy due to incurable conditions. Hospice care aims to alleviate patients’ suffering and provide them with the utmost comfort during a challenging time. It can be provided in inpatient and home settings and includes many components. Hospice care also encompasses social and psychological support, as well as its medical components. The team may include psychologists, disease counselors, social workers, volunteers, and other specialists who help patients and their families cope with the emotional, psychological, and social challenges of end-of-life care.
Evidence-Based Practice in Hospice Care
Evidence-based practice relies on research, data, and evidence to make decisions in care delivery. This practice can ensure that patients and their families receive the best possible hospice care. For instance, implementing evidence-based practices in hospice care could involve providing palliative care. (Ellis, 2022).
By using evidence-based practices to guide the delivery of palliative care, care providers can ensure they provide the best possible care for their patients and families. This hospice care procedure is crucial because it enables high-quality, efficient medical treatment for people in their final stages of life. This is especially important for patients who are facing incurable illnesses and pain. Instead of focusing on curing the illness, hospice care focuses on managing the symptoms, such as pain, fear, anxiety, and depression, and ensuring the patient’s comfort.
Additionally, hospice care helps patients prepare for death and accept it as a natural process. It also helps loved ones prepare for the loss of a loved one and go through a period of grief and sorrow (Ellis, 2022). Evidence-based practices help patients and their families to receive the proper support during this difficult time and cope with the emotional, psychological, and physical challenges associated with the end of life.
Person-Centered Care
One of the evidence-based practices that I plan to use in hospice care is the Person-Centered Care Model. This model involves considering the individual needs and preferences of the patients, which allows for more effective and personalized hospice care (Walshe et al., 2018). Using the Person-Centered Care Model can also help improve the relationship between the patient and the medical staff.
Palliative Care
Another evidence-based practice that I will be using in hospice care is the Palliative Care Model. This model encompasses a comprehensive approach to patient and family care, offering physical, psychological, and social support. Using the Palliative Care Model can help improve patients’ quality of life and that of their families and reduce the degree of pain and suffering associated with the inevitability of death (Hardy & Flemming, 2023). In addition, I will utilize evidence-based practices related to providing palliative care, including pain symptom management, treatment of depression and anxiety, improvement of sleep quality, and addressing nutritional issues (Hardy & Flemming, 2023). For instance, the use of analgesics such as morphine can help reduce the pain levels of patients.
End-of-Life Care
End-of-life care is another instance of an evidence-based approach in hospice care. End-of-life care focuses on providing comfort and support to patients and their families during the last stages of life. By utilizing evidence-based practices, care providers can ensure they deliver the highest quality care to their patients and families. This can include pain management, symptom control, psychological support, and spiritual care (Hardy & Flemming, 2023). When providers know the most effective ways to deliver care, they can guarantee that patients and their families receive the highest quality support.
Ways to Implement Evidence-Based Practices
One of the primary ways that I will incorporate evidence-based practices is through ongoing education and staff training. I will ensure that our team members are up-to-date on the latest research and best practices in hospice care to provide the most effective care to our patients. This includes training in pain management, symptom relief, emotional support, and knowledge of the latest medical treatments and technologies. Additionally, I will regularly review and evaluate our practices to ensure they are based on the latest evidence and research. I will also collaborate with other hospice providers and healthcare organizations to share knowledge and best practices and to identify areas where we can improve our care.
In addition, it is essential to remember that any medical treatment should be individually tailored and applied only with medical indications and the patient’s and their family’s consent. In addition to using evidence-based practices in hospice care, I plan to incorporate innovative technologies into hospice work. For example, telemedicine can help reduce the time spent transporting patients for medical care (Walshe et al., 2018). This is especially important for critical patients who require continuous monitoring and treatment. Furthermore, technology can help facilitate communication among medical staff, patients, and their families.
However, an essential aspect of evidence-based practice in hospice care is resolving ethical issues related to end-of-life care. For example, the shared decision-making model enables patients and their families to make informed decisions about treatment and end-of-life care, taking into account their individual needs and preferences (Walshe et al., 2018). This helps improve communication between patients, their families, and medical staff, reducing conflicts and improving the quality of care.
The Prospects of Evidence-Based Practice in Hospice
In the future, evidence-based practice in hospice care will become even more critical as the population ages and more people are faced with incurable diseases. The standard of hospice care can also be raised with contemporary technologies and medical advancements. For example, telemedicine can enable patients to receive quality care at home, which is particularly important for those who cannot easily leave their homes (Hardy & Flemming, 2023). Hospice care specialists may employ a more individualized approach to patient treatment and support, tailored to each patient’s unique needs and preferences. There may also be new technologies that can help patients receive more effective treatment and support at home.
Conclusion
Evidence-based practice in hospice care is crucial for providing patients with high-quality care at the end of their lives. It addresses moral concerns about end-of-life care, lessens suffering for patients and their families, and enhances quality of life. Evidence-based practices, such as palliative and supportive care models, are practical approaches to hospice care. In the future, these practices will continue to evolve and improve, providing patients with better care and enhancing the quality of their lives.
References
Ellis, P. (2022). Evidence-based practice in nursing. SAGE.
Hardy, B., & Flemming, K. (2023). Palliative and end of life nursing care. SAGE.
Walshe, C., Preston, N., & Johnston, B. (2018). Palliative care nursing: principles and evidence for practice. Open University Press.