AIDS in the workplace: implications for hospice programs.

AIDS presents health care providers with complex medical management issues as well as the need to confront their own fears and prejudices. Hospice programs provide specialized care to persons who are in the final stages of the disease. As the epidemic grows, they increasingly also must respond to HIV-infected staff. A comprehensive workplace program prepares the hospice provider for these challenges and ensures an appropriate response. The four essential elements of such a program are policy development, staff education, supervisory training, and compliance monitoring. Policies to consider include infection control, occupational exposure, confidentiality, and the response to HIV-infected patients and employees. Comprehensive education ensures quality care for AIDS patients. Particularly crucial is the education of managers and supervisors. After policy implementation and training, procedures must be instituted to monitor compliance and develop corrective action. A bibliography of additional resource materials is provided.