The COVID-19 crisis is reshaping routine interactions with referral sources as hospices strategize ways to manage those relationships in rapidly changing conditions.
APEX LifeStrong OCC Program
Concerns about the incidence of cancer in a community are not uncommon. Unfortunately, cancer is a common disease, sometimes more common than many people believe. At the present time the National Cancer Institute estimates that in the United States, one in two men have a lifetime risk of developing cancer. For women, the lifetime risk is one in three. The number of people with cancer is increasing in most communities because more and more people are living to an age of greatest cancer occurrence. It would not be unusual to find numerous cases of cancer in one small area, even more than one cancer in the same household.
Research indicates that 12,000 males and 11,000 females die annually a burdened death, caused by cancer. Every day in Illinois an average of 183 individuals are diagnosed with cancer and approximately 63 cancer patients die each day. Below is provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health, 2018 cancer statistics, which have continued to rise year over year in Illinois. More than 1.6 million individuals are diagnosed with cancer each year, nationally.
The APEX Hospice and Palliative Care mission aligns with the everchanging healthcare systems that care for individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer
Our team of hospice experts is committed to providing care for those at end of life, their families, and our hospice team members through the practice of Standards of Excellence. Apex Hospice and Palliative Care promotes dignity, respect, choice, and voice as our priority to each individual. Our team works collaboratively with community health care professionals you have chosen for a responsive and positive experience. We are with you every step of the way.
How It Works
Cancer patients should be referred for Palliative services upon their initial diagnosis and as they begin their chosen cancer treatments. Palliative should be a member of the oncology coordination team.
Cancer patients should be referred to Hospice at stage IV and if they are limited on treatments still available to them or earlier if a patient chooses to discontinue any further treatment.
Components of LifeStrong include, but are not limited to:
- The service will be open to all patients, palliative and hospice.
- All APEX disciplines are trained in cancer care to ensure skill set is in line to assess and identify individualized physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs of a patient.
- Any cancer patient who is admitted to palliative or hospice, will complete a survey to identify items of significance in their journey and legacy choice.
- Cancer patients will be cared for in the setting of their choice.
- Oncologists and other members of a patients care team will receive patient updates every fourteen days.
- Palliative services will include patients newly diagnosed to Stage III. APEX will participate in the management of IV Chemotherapy, use of antibiotics, hydration, ostomy, drains and consult for wound care. Marketing will follow the directions of this criteria in their presentation of this program.
- There are four (4) major items that will be used to assure the success of this service: (a) Standard of Visits; (b) OCM Model document/components; (c) Cancer Survey; and (d) statistical documentation.
Hospices Adapt Their Marketing Practices During COVID-19
The coronavirus pandemic has impacted every aspect of hospice operations, including the way hospices market themselves. Increased difficulty accessing patients and declining referrals are some of the strongest forces driving hospices to adopt new marketing practices, but remaining competitive in a crowded industry during the pandemic has come with additional ethical considerations.