Coastal Hospice looks at innovative ways to deliver care. Once a month, the directors meet to examine new ways to improve our service. We have come up with a program to better meet the needs of certain groups of patients. The program is entitled "Palliative Customized Care Program (PCC)". The programs are: Alzheimers PCC; Congestive Heart Failure PCC and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease PCC. Studies have shown that COPD and CHF patients in hospice programs frequently make trips to the emergency during exacerbation of symptoms. The key components are anxiety and loss of control. The goal of the program is to reduce anxiety and give more control to the patient in dealing with their disease process. This will reduce undue suffering of these patients. Alzheimer's caregivers have little support and help in dealing with their loved one. The goal of the program is to provide extra support and counseling for the caregiver.
The following is a brief description of each:
Alzheimer's Disease PCC ProgramAvailable Spring 2006 Caregivers are usually exhausted from caring for their loved ones with Alzheimer's Disease. This program involves counseling in dealing with the stress of caring for these patients. The caregiver is given extended visits so that they can get out of the home. Plans are being made for a tracking system for those Alzheimer patients that wander.This will have a bracelet and radio tracking system in order to retrieve these patients when they wander. Entry into the program requires that the patient has no serious comorbitities. Weekend calls are made to the caregiver for support.
Congestive Heart Failure PCC ProgramAvailable Spring 2006 This program has a strong component of education for the patient and caregiver in controlling exacerbation of symptoms. The patient has a handbook on dealing with symptoms. There is also a day by day calendar maintained by the patient and caregiver to track weight and "bad" days. The patient also has a preapproved emergency medication kit for symptom crisis management that is directed by the registered nurse case manager. Case managers have critical care experience. The goal is to prevent unnecessary trips to the emergency room. Entry into the program requires that the patient has no serious comorbidities. All patients are called on the weekend in order to decrease anxiety.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease PCC ProgramAvailable Spring 2006 This program has a strong component of education for the patient and caregiver in controlling exacerbation of symptoms. The patient has a handbook on dealing with symptoms. There is also a day by day calendar maintained by the patient and caregiver to track shortness of breath and "bad" days. The patient also has a preapproved emergency medication kit for symptom crisis management that is directed by the registered nurse case manager. Case managers have critical care experience. The goal is to prevent unnecessary trips to the emergency room. Entry into the program requires that the patient has no serious comorbidities. All patients are called on the weekend in order to decrease anxiety.
Coastal Hospice Care is committed to finding innovative ways to improve the quality of life for our patients. Ideas and suggestions are welcomed from the community. We have a unique software system that allows all members of our team to be in constant communication when there are changes in the plan of care for our patients. All of our case managers have notebook computers that they have out in the field that allows them to have current information on their patients. When they return from their visits, the notebooks uploads their nursing notes into the patient data bases. Therefore, all members of the team are aware of the progress and needs of the patient. The goal is for the team to meet the needs of the patient and caregiver in a timely manner.
Coastal Hospice Care — meeting the needs of the community by innovations in hospice care.
