In this article, the key elements of a successful transition of terminally ill patients from the inpatient hospital to home hospice care setting are described. This article describes the role and responsibilities inpatient palliative care teams and receiving hospice agencies have for communicating with patients and families and preparing them for hospice care. This article explains one approach to educating the varied members of the health care team and describes how to collaborate on care plans to facilitate an effective and satisfying transfer of care.
Bartlett, J. (2002). Familiar quotations (17th ed.). Boston: Little, Brown.
2.
Hayley, D.C., Muir, J.C., Stocking, C., Hougham, G., & Sachs, G.A. (2001). Not ready for hospice: Characteristics of patients in a pre-hospice program. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, 18, 377-382.
3.
National Consensus Project. (2004). Clinical practice guidelines for quality palliative care. Retrieved on June 27, 2007, from www.nationalconsensusproject.org/guidelines
4.
Rando, T. (1984). Grief, dying and death: Clinical interventions for care-givers. Champaign, IL: Research Press.
5.
Vig, E.K., Starks, H., Taylor, J.S., Hopley, E.K., Fryer-Edwards, K., & Pearlman, R.A. (2006). How do surrogate decision-makers describe hospice? Does it matter?American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, 23, 91-99.
