The most up to date version of this article is at https://nurse.2abraham.com/the-ins-and-outs-of-hospice-patients-seeing-their-regular-doctor-and-specialists-a-patient-and/ When it comes to hospice care, one common question that arises is whether terminally ill patients should continue seeing their regular doctor or specialists. As an experienced hospice nurse, I have witnessed the benefits and challenges of maintaining…

The most up to date version of this article can be found at https://nurse.2abraham.com/index.php/2023/06/30/day-in-the-life-of-a-hospice-nurse/ What does a workday look like for a visiting hospice nurse RN Case Manager? While the answers will be different based on a combination of the personality of the hospice nurse (i.e. planner vs. spontaneous and…

See https://nurse.2abraham.com/index.php/2023/06/23/my-name-is-peter-yet-the-patient-called-me-jack/ for the most up to date version of this story. One of the many lessons I’ve learned as a person, let alone an experienced hospice registered nurse, is never take yourself seriously; you need to be able to laugh at yourself as well as roll with whatever resistance…

The most up to date version of this article can be found at https://nurse.2abraham.com/index.php/2023/06/16/understanding-his-requirements-for-medicare-in-hospice-care/ One crucial aspect for new hospice nurses to grasp is the Hospice Item Set (HIS) requirements. …

The most up to date version of this article can be found at https://nurse.2abraham.com/index.php/2023/06/09/clues-for-terminal-restlessness-often-missed-for-facility-patients/ One of the hardest portions of the job of a hospice nurse is to identify when a patient has two weeks of life left to live; this can be especially difficult at facilities going through staffing…

I have seen firsthand the benefits and drawbacks of different medications for managing pain and anxiety in terminally ill patients. Fentanyl patches and Ativan gel are two commonly used medications, but their effectiveness can vary depending on a patient’s build and weight, particularly for very thin or cachexic individuals. Fentanyl Patches Fentanyl…

The most up to date version of this article can be found at https://nurse.2abraham.com/index.php/2023/06/01/two-days-until/ There is a spiritual connection in hospice dealing with death and dying forty plus hours per week. We who are in the field see it often, but there are times we hear it strongly from the…

I understand the challenges that patients and families face when receiving hospice services. One common issue that arises is the need for after-hour calls, which can add stress to an already demanding situation. However, with proactive care and effective communication, dayshift hospice RN case managers can play a crucial role…

One of the most important roles is to detect and manage infections in terminally ill geriatric patients with dementia. These patients are often at higher risk for infections due to their weakened immune systems, underlying health conditions, and limited mobility. Detecting infections in these patients can be challenging due to…