Essential Principles Regarding Hospice Care Bellevue WA Residents May Find Useful

By Anna Kennedy


Patients suffering from chronic or terminal illnesses are usually taken to a hospice where services are tailored to the needs of the patient. Suffering from a condition that takes has no definite cure may be very depressing to both the patient and their families. Keeping them in a general hospital only breaks their spirit even further as they get to see other patients walk in and walk out healed while they remain there. A hospice provides wholesome care to the patient in terms of physical, spiritual and emotional needs. These are some of the basic principles regarding hospice care Bellevue WA residents may wish to know.

Aggressive tumor infiltration is among the top indications for placing patients under hospice care. At this point, the cancer may not adequately be controlled to a point of restoring the health of the individual. The aim of treatment on is to ensure the tumor does not spread further. Being highly susceptible to pain, analgesic drugs should be available at all times to provide relief for the patient.

Palliation involves keeping the patient as comfortable as possible. Pain is the most common bother among terminally ill patients. Analgesic medication should be available at all times to keep the individual pain free. They are usually in so much pain that only the very strong opioids can provide relief for their woes. The healthcare team needs to be cautious when using these opioids to minimize the risk of respiratory depression.

Based on how severe the illness is, other needs also need to be attended to other than pain management. Disease in the gastrointestinal system may call for use of nasogastric tubes for feeding. Nasogastric tubes are simply conduits that run from the mouth to the stomach and act as passages for liquid and semi solid food material.

In malabsorption syndromes, the patient may require long term parenteral feeding. Parenteral nutrition means that special feeds are given through superficial veins on the surface of the skin to reach the blood system. Such veins are accessed through cannulation. The cannulas need be changed regularly to ensure minimize the chances of infection and also to prevent to prevent blockage by clots.

Individuals suffering from chronic illnesses are bound in bed for most of the day and night. They are therefore at very high risk of developing bed sores. Nurses should be sure to turn them over regularly to reduce the risk of pressures. Their skin also need to be kept dry by applying special skin powder. In addition, diapers should be changed frequently.

Having taken care of the physical, the soul and the spirit also need nourishment. Members of the clergy are employed in hospices to provide the much needed spiritual nourishment. Emotional support from close family and friends goes a long way in keeping the patient at peace.

In conclusion, it should be stated that hospices are a necessity for the terminally ill patients. Not only do they cater for their physical needs, they also keep them spiritually and emotionally nourished. Families should coordinate with healthcare givers to ensure all the needs of the patient are met.




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