HIS to HOPE Transition in Hospice Care: What You Need to Know

Guest Blog Written by: Vicki Goodman, Chief Revenue Officer at Curantis Solutions

As a hospice nurse, I am excited to share pivotal news that will significantly impact our field starting October 1st. In case you have been living under a rock, we are transitioning from the Hospice Item Set (HIS) to the Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE). This change is not just a modification in terminology; it represents a transformative shift towards a more patient-centered and holistic approach to hospice care. In this article, we will explore what this transition entails, its benefits, and how it will affect our daily practices.

Understanding the Transition from HIS to HOPE

The move from HIS to HOPE signifies an essential evolution in our approach to patient care. While HIS primarily focused on data collection and compliance with regulations, HOPE emphasizes measuring patient outcomes, quality of care, and overall patient experience. This transition encourages us to engage more deeply with our patients and their families, ensuring that their unique needs and preferences are at the forefront of the care we provide.

What is HOPE?

HOPE stands for Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation. This new framework highlights several core principles:

  • Patient-Centered Care: Focusing on individual patient needs and preferences.
  • Quality of Care Assessment: Evaluating how well we meet those needs.
  • Holistic Approach: Considering emotional, spiritual, and psychological factors in addition to physical health.

The Benefits of HOPE in Hospice Care

The adoption of the HOPE framework offers numerous advantages for both patients and healthcare providers:

  • Improved Patient Engagement: By prioritizing patient preferences, we can foster stronger relationships and enhance the overall care experience.
  • Enhanced Quality of Care: Focused outcomes assessment allows us to identify areas for improvement and implement best practices.
  • Recognition of Care Quality: HOPE enables us to demonstrate the effectiveness of our care, leading to greater recognition of our contributions in hospice settings.

Key Differences: HIS vs. HOPE

Understanding the distinctions between HIS and HOPE can help clarify the shift in our practices. Here are some key differences:

HIS to HOPE table

The Role of Hospice Nurses in the HOPE Framework

As hospice nurses, our role in implementing HOPE will require a significant mindset shift. Here’s how we can adapt our practice:

  1. Engage With Patients and Families: Actively involve them in care planning and decision-making.
  2. Assess Holistically: Look beyond clinical data to include emotional and spiritual assessments.
  3. Collaborate with Interdisciplinary Teams: Work closely with all caregivers to ensure a comprehensive approach to patient care.

By integrating these principles into our daily practice, we can enhance patient experiences and outcomes, ultimately providing the compassionate care that is the hallmark of hospice services.

Acknowledging Our Impact

As we transition to the HOPE framework, it’s essential to take a moment to give ourselves credit for the incredible work we already do. For most of us, patient-centered care has been at the heart of our practice long before HOPE was introduced. This new framework serves as validation, providing a structured approach to highlight the compassionate, individualized care we consistently offer.

Getting Prepared

The transition from HIS to HOPE marks an important chapter in the hospice care journey. At Curantis Solutions, we understand the complexities and challenges that come with such significant transitions. Our software and services are designed to ensure that your hospice team can seamlessly adapt to the HOPE framework without sacrificing the quality of care. From comprehensive training to state-of-the-art data management systems, we provide everything needed to make this transition as smooth and effective as possible. With Curantis Solutions, you can be confident that no matter how the standards evolve, you will always be at the cutting edge, providing compassionate, patient-centered care.

Curantis Solutions Has You Covered

At Curantis, we understand the unique challenges faced by hospice and palliative care organizations. Our commitment to providing exceptional support ensures that you can focus on what matters most—delivering compassionate care to your patients. We pride ourselves on our quick response times, we deeply listen to our clients, and are easy to get ahold of when you need us. When partnering with Curantis Solutions, we guarantee we have support you can depend on.

Schedule a Demo to see how refreshingly simple life can be with Curantis Solutions!

For all the HOPE resources at your fingertips, visit our HOPE Resource Hub today!