East Central Iowa Chapter of HPNA

Few hospice nurses discuss spirituality with patients, families

Posted over 6 years ago by Nicole Alcorn

A study of hospice nurse conversations with patients and family on the day patients died showed 80% primarily involved physical care, 14% involved emotional support and 6% addressed spiritual concerns. The lack of conversations about spirituality was surprising because of the timing, and because national palliative care guidelines and literature emphasize spirituality as an important part of care, Betty Ferrell of City of Hope National Medical Center writes.

Medscape (free registration) (9/6)