Palliative Care

Question 1

Palliative Care vs. Hospice

Answer 1

Hospice is a component of Palliative care when life expectancy is measured <6 months.
Can be the endpoint of Palliative care and include bereavement for the family.

Question 2

Who is best suited for palliative care?

Answer 2

Any person with a chronic/incurable disease. Palliative care can change at different stages of an illness.

Question 3

Who is best suited for hospice?

Answer 3

Those who have <6m to live.

Question 4

What is covered under Medicare for Hospice?

Answer 4

Physicians services
Nursing
Medical supplies
Drugs
Short-term inpatient care & respite care

Does NOT cover custodial care (living, facilities)

Question 5

What are some common physical symptoms in palliative/hospice care?

Answer 5

MSK/Myofascial/Emotional Pain 
Dyspnea
Orthopnea
Hypoxemia
NV
Diarrhea/Constipation
Weight Loss

Question 6

What is medical frailty?

Answer 6

A tool used by health care providers to identify futile interventions that will not alleviate symptoms. Could make the patient worse.

Question 7

What are some goals of Palliative care?

Answer 7

Relief from pain
Affirms dying as a normal process
Doesn’t hasten or postpone death
Support for families

Question 8

What is the Medicare Hospice Benefit?

Answer 8

Must be eligible for Medicare Part A
Medical certification of terminal illness with <6m to live

Basically is a different billing code compared to other medicare-covered benefits. Patient can switch back to normal coverage if remission occurs.

Question 9

Outcomes of Palliative Care

Answer 9

Better patient and family understanding of what to expect
Relief of pain
Decreased 911 calls, ED visits, hospitalizations.