I am a health care professional

We as health care professionals are all dedicated to the same mission - providing the highest quality of care, and preserving human dignity. Everyone at Hospice of Western Kentucky is dedicated to working with you, your patients and their families to deliver excellent, compassionate, and personalized care.

Your job is not an easy one, especially when you have to deal with terminally ill patients or elderly patients who have a poor prognosis. Hospice of Western Kentucky can help both you and your patients by proposing options that change the focus from curative to palliative or hospice care.

Hospice services do not replace your care - they supplement and enhance your relationship with a patient. Enlisting hospice care means you are doing everything possible to provide the best care for your patients. It means they receive:

• Care that is comforting care...
• Care that controls symptoms and pain...
• Care that assists with daily activities at home or wherever they reside.

We understand what physicians need and want from hospice services.

• 24 hours a day, we will take your "patient caregiver calls"
• Open access - direct conversation with hospice medical director
• Clear communication
• Availability
• Ability
• Breaking difficult news tool
• Eligibility guidelines tool
• Physician billing tool

The benefits of hospice are far reaching because it not only reduces stress for patients and families; it reduces stress for healthcare professionals and the healthcare system too.

Medicare has developed specific guidelines to assist you in determining prognosis. These guidelines are to be used in conjunction with your judgment as the patient's physician.

When your patient's illness has advanced to the point that curative treatments are no longer effective, hospice gives you, your patient and their family another option.

Once you refer your patient to us, Hospice of Western Kentucky will become a valued member of your team. The hospice nurse or medical director will be in regular contact regarding:

• Pain and symptom management
• Changes in the patient's condition
• Any needed visits or phone calls

Our goal will be to lighten your burden and give you more time, while adding to your patient's care and meeting their needs. Hospice of Western Kentucky provides consultations regarding end-of-life care based on 30 years of experience.

We want you to expect more from us:

• We share the responsibility of caring for your patient.
• We make it easier for you to provide excellent care.
• We provide resources to help you with prognostication and guidance through difficult conversations.
• We supplement your support of distraught family members. Our hospice team includes nurses, social workers and spiritual counselors to ensure that all family members receive appropriate help in dealing with the illness.
• We keep you informed of changes in your patient's condition. You remain in control of your patient's medical care.
• We provide regular nursing visits and field most patient calls, which increases flexibility in your schedule.