Hospice Is the Continuum of Care for Heart Failure and Advanced Cardiac Disease
Mar 24, 2021
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This phenomenon of improved longevity and persistent mortality underscores the reality that many of the current treatments for severe heart disease are, in fact, palliative in nature. They modify the disease process and prolong life for patients with often severe symptoms and disease.
Findings from the two studies inthis articlehighlight the need for our partner cardiologists and referring physicians to recognize when to refer their patients with advanced cardiac disease or heart failure to comfort-focused hospice careand why.
When?Hospice is the logical next step in the care continuum when ongoing cardiac treatments are no longer effective, when worsening symptoms no longer respond, or when patients decide side effects, pain, and other symptoms are no longer tolerable.
Why?Hospices clinical, emotional and spiritual approach to care allows patients to embrace quality of life for as long as possiblenot in outpatient or ICU settings but in the familiarity of home among family. Hospice clinicians titrate cardiac interventions to focus on comfort care, symptom management, and pain relief, while team memberseducate and support family members and caregivers who often bear the burden of caring for a seriously ill loved one.
Quite simply, a hospice referral should never be perceived as giving up. Instead, it is the next logical step in the continuum of care.
Submitted and Written By: Vitas Healthcare - click here for more information
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