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HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE IN SOUTH FLORIDA

Free Resource Helps Patients and Families Choose a Quality Hospice

NHPCO Offers Guidance to Help People Make a Choice about a Hospice Provider

When a loved one is diagnosed with a serious or life-limiting illness, the questions
facing an individual or a family can be overwhelming. The National Hospice and
Palliative Care Organization recommends that people learn more about hospice as an
important option before they are faced with a medical crisis.
A free worksheet from NHPCO, “Choosing a Quality Hospice for You or a Loved
One,” will help patients and families with some of the important questions they
should consider when learning about or choosing a hospice.
Some of the questions important in choosing a quality hospice include:
1. Is the hospice Medicare certified?
2. When was the last state or federal survey of the program? source of recommendations for a provider in your area.
3. Is the hospice accredited by a national organization? Another common question is when is it best to begin hospice care. Every patient
4. What services should you expect from the hospice based on your circumstances? and family must decide that based upon their unique needs, however, professionals
5. How are services provided after hours? encourage people to learn about care options long before they think they may need
6. How and where does hospice provide short-term inpatient care? them. And hospice should not be thought of as “brink of death” care. Hospice is best
7. What services do volunteers offer? provided in the final months of life and not the final days.
8. How long does it typically take the hospice to enroll someone once the request NHPCO’s CaringInfo.org offers a wealth of information to help people learn more
for services is made? about hospice or to find a provider in the community. And the website
“Choosing a hospice to care for yourself or a loved one might seem overwhelming, MomentsofLife.org offers videos, stories and information about all that hospice can
that’s why it’s important to look into options before you’re facing a medical crisis,” do to help patients and families make more meaningful moments possible.
said Edo Banach NHPCO president and CEO. “Ask about the services and support
that you can expect based on your specific medical condition to find the community Visit NHPCO’s CaringInfo.org to learn more about hospice care
provider best equipped to meet your needs.” or to find a hospice organization in your area.
The family doctor, attending physician, other healthcare provider, or even family
friends that have taken advantage of hospice services in the past would be another

Visit us on the web at

Cover Story: American Lung Association, www.southfloridahospitalnews.com
www.southfloridahospitalnews.com
Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Partner

to Honor Medical Heroes in Lung Health

Continued from page 1
Christensen is currently a board member of the Beryl Institute - Improving the
Patient Experience and serves on the faculty for patient safety officer training at the
Institute for Healthcare Improvement.
Dr. The, an adult pulmonologist, and Dr. Ryan, a pediatric immunologist, will be
honored for their work providing pro bono services to the Palm Beach community
for patients who do not have insurance and can’t afford to pay for services. A physi-
cian in private practice for more than 35 years in West Palm Beach, Dr. The has
been a volunteer at the Community Health Center since 2015, evaluating patients’
pulmonary conditions and treating sleep apnea, and serving as the lead practition-
er in its Smoking Cessation Program.
Dr. Ryan, a physician in private practice for 20 years, volunteers his time at the
Caridad Center, providing asthma, allergy and immunology pro bono services on
Saturdays to those who would otherwise not have access.
Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, which is in the process of building a 30,000
sq. ft. pediatric specialty facility in Wellington, is the presenting sponsor of the
event. “At JDCH, our mission is very similar,” said Administrator and CEO
Chantal LeConte, who is serving as honorary chair along with Dr. Juan Martinez,
medical director of the Pediatric Pulmonary, Cystic Fibrosis & Sleep Services
Program at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. “We always strive to do what is best
for patients and families by partnering together to address all aspects of care and
support.
“Ms. Christensen’s story is an example of the kids we treat on a daily basis at the
Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and the importance of services provided to chil-
dren through a specialized children’s hospital,” she added.
Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital’s new outpatient center will be bringing many
specialized pediatric services to Palm Beach, including orthopaedics/U_18 sports
medicine, otolaryngology, pulmonology, general surgery, neurology, endocrinology,
and pediatric and sports rehabilitation services.
“We are very excited about the opportunity to partner with the Palm Beach com-
munity to provide high quality specialty pediatric care to families and children in
need of our well-renowned expertise,” said LeConte of the facility that is expected
to open in fall of 2018.

Tickets to the Physicians’ Salute cost $75 each for physicians and their spouses, and
$150 each for general admission. The event will take place Thursday, November 30
from 6-9 p.m. in the Cohen Pavilion at the Kravis Center.
For more information, visit www.LungPhysicians.org.

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