NewsLine - May 2011 - (Page 18)

continued from previous page Can you tell us more about it—what it provides and how it differs from “hospice”? LifeBeat is hospice. While it’s specialized to meet the needs of cardiac patients, it is still hospice. All of our LifeBeat patients are expected to meet the Medicare guidelines for disease progression and prognosis, just like all hospice patients. Our goal, however, is to admit patients earlier on in the disease progression, when they can still receive considerable positive impact from quality symptom management. We therefore strongly stress the Medicare clinical guidelines for hospice admission with healthcare providers, moving as far away as possible from the “six months or less” that trips up so many, especially with a disease as hard to predict as CHF. We also re-examined how we define palliative treatment. When deciding what is included in a care plan, we look less at “what are we doing” and more at “why are we doing it.” If the goal of a treatment is symptom control and the provision of the treatment is not causing undue burden for the patient and is being administrated in the most efficient manner available, some treatments that are normally not considered part of “hospice” become appropriate. This includes things such as hospitalization for IV diuretics if a patient has lost their oral route, and low-impact cardiac rehabilitation. Our LifeBeat patients get all the benefits of hospice care with an added, aggressive program to monitor and respond to changes in cardiac status. People on LifeBeat are expected to check and record daily weights and vital signs. They are encouraged to follow a sodium-restricted diet as prescribed by their doctor and are expected to be medication compliant. These are the tools that best keep their edema, dyspnea and pain under control. We work closely with the patients and their families to educate, to support and to respond very quickly to any changes which may lead to decline. We call the doctor with any changes in weight that is greater than 2 pounds in 24 hours so that edema can be aggressively managed, leading to decreased dyspnea, increased comfort, and improved functioning. We try very hard to help the patient help themselves and have found that teaching cause and effect in the disease process leads to greater compliance and greater success on the part of the patient. When patients and families understand ‘why’ something is happening, they feel empowered to take the necessary actions to maximize and maintain their level of function. When patients begin a final decline, we are there to help support them, and transition them to end-of-life care. Why do you use the name “LifeBeat”? For so many cardiac providers and patients, “hospice” means dying and it means cancer. So, for those with heart disease, the word itself automatically shuts the door. For this reason, we elected to market the program under a separate name that captures exactly what is special and unique about our services to this group of people, while keeping the lines of communication open. It allows people to take another look at hospice and challenges some of their assumptions. We do not hide the fact that this is hospice, but we don’t have to hit them over the head with it either. We liked the idea of a positive, life-affirming name for the program as well! Which hospice team members provide the care and what special training do they receive? The whole team is part of LifeBeat. Our clinical staff receives training in cardiac disease 18 NewsLine

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NewsLine - May 2011

POLST: An Evidence-based Tool for Advance Care Planning
A Message From Don
ICD-10: It’s Time to Begin Preparing
26th MLC Supporters (display ad)
Experience the ACHC Difference (display ad)
LifeBeat at Southern Tier Hospice and Palliative Care
Introducing NHPCO’s Custom Print Marketplace (display ad)
Voice of NCHPP: Spiritual Care: A Physician’s Perspective
NCHPP: Getting Involved
Recruiting Problems? HMR (display ad)
New - Hospice MDP Summer School (display ad)
CMS Clarifies Aspects of the Face-to-Face Encounter
Harvest: A New Film That Will Resonate With Members
Member News and Notes
Upcoming Educational Offerings
Cover 2

NewsLine - May 2011