Houston Hospice
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct Patient Care Activity Report
What does companionship look like when it comes to spending time with hospice patients?
It involves providing emotional and social support to individuals facing their end-of-life journey.
- Offering Solace: Providing a calming and reassuring presence, especially during times of pain or distress, can be immensely comforting to the patient and their loved ones.
- Non-Verbal Communication: Sometimes, just holding a patient’s hand, offering a gentle touch or sitting quietly beside them can convey care and support in a profound way.
- Active Listening: Being present and truly listening to the patient’s thoughts, fears and feelings without judgment is essential. Companionship involves offering a compassionate ear and allowing patients to share their stories, memories and concerns.
- Emotional Support: Hospice patients often experience a wide range of emotions, including fear, sadness or anxiety. Companions can offer reassurance and understanding during these challenging times.
- Conversation and Engagement: Engaging in conversations on various topics, such as the patient’s interests, hobbies and life experiences, helps create a sense of connection and normalcy.
- Reading Aloud: Reading books, poetry or favorite passages can be soothing and comforting for patients, especially when they may be too weak to read on their own.
- Reminiscence Therapy: Companionship can involve encouraging the patient to talk about their life, memories and experiences, promoting reminiscence therapy. Reflecting on meaningful moments can provide comfort and a sense of fulfillment.
Can I check off spiritual support if I am not a volunteer chaplain?
No. Only trained and accredited chaplains can utilize this box for providing spiritual support.
My visit was 13 or 14 minutes. Should I still document this?
Yes. You are welcome to round up to the nearest 15-minute interval. Please document the visit even if it was slightly less than 15 minutes.
What should I include in the “summary” section?
- Documentation should record facts, such as your observations and actions during the visit.
- Include details about how the patient looked, behaved and their responses. Note the patient’s comfort level, physical appearance and behavior.
- Record what the patient or family said, using quotations or paraphrasing.
- Avoid giving your opinion about the patient’s health.
- If the patient was uncomfortable, document what actions you took to address their discomfort.
- If you interacted with our team members about the patient or family, please include that information, as well.
- Please DO NOT use terms like “the patient looked well today” or “the patient looked good” as a person is not on hospice if they are well.
- Please remember that your notes are considered official medical records and are reviewed by members of the patient’s care team. In some cases, this includes the patients and their families.
What are some issues that should be reported immediately?
- Medical emergencies: Any sudden deterioration in the patient’s health condition, signs of a stroke, heart attack, severe respiratory distress or any other life-threatening situation
- Fall or injury
- Equipment failure: Malfunction or failure of medical equipment essential for patient care, such as oxygen concentrators or hospital beds
- Signs of abuse or neglect
- Family or caregiver distress: Situations where family members or caregivers are experiencing extreme stress, emotional breakdowns or expressing an inability to cope with the patient’s condition
If you have any additional questions or need further clarification, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Irene Fiszer, volunteer coordinator, at ifiszer@houstonhospice.org. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to the well-being of our patients!