Keay T J, Schonwetter R S
Department of Family Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore 21201, USA.
Am Fam Physician. 1998 Feb 1;57(3):491-4.
Hospice care is being used more frequently to provide skills and services that are not otherwise available in nursing homes. For eligible terminally ill patients, the Medicare Hospice Benefit supplies an interdisciplinary team with skills in pain management, symptom control and bereavement assistance. The Medicare Hospice Benefit also covers the cost of durable medical equipment and drugs, except for a nominal drug copayment fee. The services of the hospice team supplement the usual nursing home care at a time when staff, family members and the patient are facing the increased and urgent needs associated with the dying process. The Medicare Hospice Benefit can make it much easier for physicians and nursing home staff to provide comprehensive palliative care for terminally ill patients.
临终关怀正越来越频繁地被用于提供养老院无法提供的技能和服务。对于符合条件的晚期绝症患者，医疗保险临终关怀福利为一个跨学科团队提供疼痛管理、症状控制和丧亲之痛援助方面的技能。医疗保险临终关怀福利还涵盖耐用医疗设备和药品的费用，但需支付少量的药品自付费用。在工作人员、家庭成员和患者面临与临终过程相关的日益增加和紧迫的需求时，临终关怀团队的服务补充了常规的养老院护理。医疗保险临终关怀福利可以让医生和养老院工作人员更容易为晚期绝症患者提供全面的姑息治疗。
