Hospice Documentation Toward Decline

Declining health is a natural part of the dying process for many illnesses, as well as for those with chronic conditions. Hospice staff are trained to notice and record even the subtlest signs of deterioration. However, be cautious. Repeating the same observations in various notes can give the impression that the patient’s condition is stable rather than declining. Accurate and unique documentation for each observation is necessary to showcase the patient’s progression towards end-of-life.