Tough Standards Good for Hospices

* Re: “Hospice Nearing End--Facility to Fold Without License,” Jan. 14.

I am sorry that Mr. McKennel was not fully aware of the time and money it takes to run a hospice program. However, I am not sorry that stringent standards of care are being enforced by the state Department of Health. Hospice patients and their families deserve no less.

His intent to provide care for AIDS patients is, indeed, laudable. A recent survey by the California State Hospice Assn. revealed that many AIDS patients die without the highly skilled services of a licensed hospice.

Under physician orders, licensed hospices, following strict standards of care, provide the pain and symptom management that any ill individual deserves.

In many instances, collaboration between existing AIDS and hospice programs overcomes difficult financial, insurance and residential issues, resulting in better terminal care of these patients. CSHA is working to promote these collaborative efforts.

The public should be aware that Orange County has several licensed hospices, most of whom would welcome the opportunity to provide medical, nursing, social services, emotional, spiritual and bereavement support to AIDS patients, families and caregivers.

For a referral to a hospice that serves your community, please contact CSHA at (916) 441-3770.

MICHELLE THRUSH

O.C. Regional Representative

California State Hospice Assn.