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Nursing Home End-of-Life Care and Hospice Services Audit Checklist

A comprehensive checklist for auditing end-of-life care and hospice services in nursing homes, covering areas such as advance care planning, pain management, emotional support, family involvement, and coordination with hospice providers to ensure compassionate and dignified care for residents in their final days.

Nursing Home End-of-Life Care and Hospice Services Audit Checklist
by: audit-now
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About This Checklist

Providing compassionate and high-quality end-of-life care is a crucial responsibility of nursing homes. This comprehensive audit checklist is designed to evaluate and improve practices related to end-of-life care and hospice services in long-term care facilities. By addressing key areas such as advance care planning, pain management, emotional support, family involvement, and coordination with hospice providers, this checklist helps ensure that residents receive dignified and comfort-focused care in their final days. Regular audits using this checklist can significantly enhance the quality of end-of-life care, improve family satisfaction, and ensure compliance with palliative care standards in nursing homes.

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Industry

Healthcare

Standard

National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) Standards of Practice for Hospice Programs

Workspaces

Nursing homes

Occupations

Palliative Care Specialists
Nursing Supervisors
Social Workers
Chaplains
Quality Assurance Specialists

End-of-Life Care Assessment

(0 / 4)

1
Is there documentation of advance care planning for each patient?

Select documentation status

To confirm that patients' wishes and plans are documented and respected.
2
On a scale of 1-5, how would you rate the emotional support provided to patients?

Rate the emotional support

To assess the quality of emotional support, which is vital in hospice care.
Min: 1
Target: 5
Max: 5
3
Are family members regularly involved in care planning discussions?

Indicate whether family involvement occurs

Family involvement is crucial for patient-centered care at end-of-life.
4
Is there a documented pain management plan for each patient?

Select compliance status

To ensure that appropriate measures are in place to manage patient pain effectively.
5
What was the last date the individual care plans were reviewed?

Select the date of the last review

Regular reviews of care plans are critical to ensure they meet patients' changing needs.
6
How many hours of palliative care training have staff completed in the last year?

Enter the number of training hours

To assess the training and preparedness of staff in providing palliative care.
Min: 0
Target: 20
Max: 100
7
Was dignified care provided to all patients at the facility?

Select compliance status

To ensure that all patients receive care that respects their dignity and autonomy.
8
Summarize the feedback received from patients regarding their care.

Provide a summary of patient feedback

Patient feedback is essential for evaluating the quality of care and identifying areas for improvement.
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9
When was the last meeting held with the patient's family?

Select the date and time of the last family meeting

Regular meetings with family members ensure that they are informed and involved in the patient's care.
10
How many emotional support sessions have been conducted in the last month?

Enter the number of sessions conducted

Tracking the number of emotional support sessions helps evaluate the mental well-being support provided.
Min: 0
Target: 5
Max: 50
11
Is there a nutritional support plan in place for each patient?

Indicate whether a nutritional support plan is in place

Nutritional support is vital for the well-being of patients receiving hospice care.
12
How often is pain assessed for each patient?

Select the frequency of pain assessments

Regular pain assessments are crucial for effective pain management in hospice care.
13
What was the date of the last staff training on palliative care practices?

Select the date of the last training session

Regular training ensures staff are knowledgeable about the latest palliative care practices.
14
How many hours of volunteer support have been logged in the last quarter?

Enter the total number of volunteer hours

Volunteer support can enhance the quality of care and provide additional resources for patients.
Min: 0
Target: 30
Max: 500
15
Are advance directives readily available for each patient?

Select the availability status of advance directives

Advance directives ensure patients' wishes are respected and followed.
16
Describe how cultural sensitivity is integrated into patient care.

Provide a detailed description of cultural sensitivity practices

Understanding and respecting cultural differences is essential for providing holistic care.
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17
When was the last comprehensive review of patient care conducted?

Select the date and time of the last care review

Regular reviews of patient care are essential for continuous improvement and quality assurance.
18
How many crisis intervention incidents have occurred in the last month?

Enter the number of crisis intervention incidents

Tracking crisis interventions is important for evaluating the effectiveness of care strategies.
Min: 0
Target: 2
Max: 100
19
Are regular care coordination meetings held among the staff?

Indicate whether care coordination meetings are held

Care coordination meetings are vital for ensuring all staff are aligned on patient care plans.
20
How satisfied are patients with the care they receive?

Select the level of patient satisfaction

Patient satisfaction is a key indicator of the quality of care provided.

FAQs

End-of-life care and hospice services audits should be conducted regularly, typically on a semi-annual basis. However, more frequent reviews may be necessary if there are changes in regulations or identified areas for improvement.

Key components include reviewing advance care planning processes, assessing pain management protocols, evaluating emotional and spiritual support services, examining family communication and involvement practices, and assessing coordination with hospice providers.

The audit team should include palliative care specialists, nursing supervisors, social workers, chaplains or spiritual care providers, and quality assurance personnel. Input from hospice partners and feedback from families of deceased residents can provide valuable insights.

Audit results can be used to enhance staff training on palliative care, improve pain management protocols, strengthen relationships with hospice providers, update advance care planning processes, and develop better emotional support systems for residents and families.

Cultural competence is crucial in end-of-life care. Audits should assess how well the facility accommodates diverse cultural and religious beliefs and practices surrounding death and dying. This includes evaluating staff training on cultural sensitivity and the availability of culturally appropriate end-of-life rituals and support.

Benefits

Ensures residents receive compassionate and appropriate end-of-life care

Improves compliance with regulations and best practices for palliative care

Enhances coordination between nursing home staff and hospice providers

Increases family satisfaction with end-of-life care services

Promotes a dignified and comfortable environment for residents in their final days