Hospice Care and Technology

With technology becoming an ever-more prevalent presence in our lives, hospice care has joined in the revolution and is bringing aspects of technology into they way patients are treated in care and at the end of days.

Efficient Administration for hospice care

As in most other fields, technology is helping in hospice care administration and record-keeping. Electronic records make record-keeping much more efficient, which is essential for any healthcare organization. Treatment can happen more quickly and in a more pointed manner.

Communication is also greatly enhanced, as there is better coordination between the patient’s family and the relevant health practitioners. Family members can have easier and more efficient access to providers when they need it, and not just one point-person, but everyone who’s on the team. Many hospice patients are remote, and new applications such as a tele-communication app allow urgent care providers to give over care immediately instead of waiting until the morning or having to drive a long commute.

Improving Care

Hospice Care is indicated when an illness is terminal. The concept is to make the patient as comfortable as possible and to keep pain at bay. For some patients, this might mean giving them certain comforts and experiences that make the life they have remaining feel valid and worthwhile, or at the very least feel comforted.

For example, some hospice care companies are testing virtual reality and augmented reality experiences for patients. Putting on a pair of specialized goggles, a patient who is tied to his bed and feeling high levels of anxiety may experience a walk in a leafy and tranquil park. Someone is at the end of his life may have the opportunity to experience interesting and exciting adventures that he would otherwise never be able to, which can give him a feeling of satisfaction and take his mind off of the pain he is feeling or the fact the end is near.

This is particularly acute for children who have terminal illnesses and can experience life for their remaining time. They may have the chance to swim with whales and go into space.

Most hospice care is done in the patient’s home, so companies are developing the technologies to be portable and work within the home environment.

Clinical studies have already shown that virtual reality is effective in pain management and can sometimes replace pain medication.

Vital End-of-Life Measurements

Predictive analytics is a discipline that’s been gaining steam in the hospice care community. This technology studies Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) to analyze patient health data and notice any changes in the patient’s condition. This helps indicate when the patient’s end is near.

This data is important for several reasons. First, it allows the hospice to provide the quality of care that’s necessary when the end is close. Second, they can ensure sufficient staff visits that are reported and paid for for insurance purposes. Third, and most interesting, researchers can study the data to see what actually happens during the progression toward the end of life. They can utilize this to see the patterns of how someone’s health deteriorates.

At The Alameda rehabilitation Center, we are always updating and improving our systems to match the newest available technologies that help our patients. Talk with our representative to hear how we can administer your hospice care needs.

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.