Hospice care is patient- and family-centered, where the patient’s and family’s preferences and needs drive the care plan.

The hospice interdisciplinary group (also referred to as Hospice IDG or IDG), also referred to as the interdisciplinary team (IDT) is a team of healthcare professionals who work together to create a plan tailored to the needs of hospice patients. The IDG is crucial because it reflects the fundamental principle of hospice care: a multidisciplinary and holistic approach to treating a patient. Hospice care is not just about managing medical symptoms; it involves addressing the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of the patient and their family. This comprehensive care model requires combined expertise of different healthcare professionals working together as a cohesive team.

Multidisciplinary and 360-degree approach

The idea of a multidisciplinary approach is central to hospice care because a single healthcare professional cannot fully address the complex needs of a patient at the end of life. Hospice patients often experience pain, emotional distress, social isolation, and spiritual concerns, all of which need to be treated so that the patient has a peaceful and dignified end of life experience. Each of the members of the IDG can address different aspects of hospice patient needs.

Physical needs: Managed by the physician and nurse. The physician provides medical direction and oversees patient care while the nurse manages the patient’s medical needs such as pain control and symptom management.

Emotional and social needs: The social worker provides emotional and social support, caring for emotional health, caregiver stress, and family dynamics. Consideration is also given to connecting the family with community resources

Spiritual needs: These are managed by the chaplain, who offers spiritual care and counseling, based on the patient’s and family’s beliefs.  The chaplain helps patients and families explore spiritual concerns, questions of meaning, or religious beliefs in the context of their journey.

Daily living needs: Hospice aides assist with personal care like bathing, dressing, and grooming. They ensure dignity and comfort in activities of daily living like bathing, dressing, and grooming.

Companionship and support:  The hospice volunteer offers companionship and practical help, like errands or respite for family caregivers.

By involving individuals from different disciplines, hospice care can take a 360-degress approach to a patient’s needs. It means that every aspect of care – physical, emotional, social, and spiritual – is addressed by someone with the expertise to manage that particular dimension. This all encompassing approach is what makes hospice care unique and effective.

Are all member of the IDG required per CMS regulations?

Per CMS regulations, only core members must always be part of the IDG to ensure that hospice care addresses every critical aspect of the patient’s experience. Four disciplines are considered core required members of the team. These include:

• Physician
• Registered nurse
• Social worker
• Chaplain

Some professional members may be included in the IDG as needed, depending upon patient’s individual circumstances. These include:

• Hospice Aide
• Volunteer
• Therapists
• Bereavement Counselor

How is the IDG aligned with regulatory standards?

CMS requires that hospice care involve an interdisciplinary approach because it reflects the need to treat the “whole” patient, not just their medical condition. The IDG ensures that the care plan is tailored to the patient’s evolving needs and that it incorporates feedback from multiple disciplines to achieve the best outcomes. The interdisciplinary model is also a regulatory requirement under the hospice Conditions of Participation (CoPs). As such, surveyors will review the functioning of the IDG during inspections to ensure compliance. A well coordinated interdisciplinary team ensures regulatory compliance and quality patient care.

Why is the interdisciplinary hospice team essential?

 

Hospice care is patient and family centered, meaning that the patient’s and family’s preferences and needs drive the care plan. The IDG works collaboratively to ensure that the care plan remains flexible and responsive to changes in the patient’s condition. As hospice patients often experience rapid changes in health, having professionals from different disciplines ensures that all aspects of care can be addressed promptly and effectively.

In summary, the IDG reflects hospice’s holistic, multidisciplinary approach to care by ensuring that all dimensions of the patient’s well-being are addressed. Required team members focus on medical, emotional, and spiritual care, while optional members can be added to meet unique or additional needs. This alignment ensures that hospice remains flexible and patient-centered.