Florida Consumers Have New Comparison Tool to Evaluate Hospice ProvidersTALLAHASSEE – Florida consumers now will have access to, in-depth information to help them compare and evaluate multiple factors when making decisions about selecting a hospice provider for end-of-life care. In a voluntary effort, Florida Hospices and Palliative Care (FHPC) announced the results from the Family Evaluation of Hospice Care (FEHC) survey, sent to families whose loved one received hospice care. The first of its kind in the country, this groundbreaking initiative was conducted in cooperation with The Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA). The FEHC is a post-death survey that has been offered nationally to hospices by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization since 2003. The survey assesses multiple areas of delivery of quality of care and is used by hospices throughout the U.S. to improve the effectiveness of hospice programs. This survey tool is the product of a collaborative effort between NHPCO and Brown University Medical School’s Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research. The FEHC survey evaluated such elements as patient comfort and emotional support, coordination of care, shared decision-making, provision of information, respect for the patient and provision of emotional support to the family at every hospice across the state. The comparison results were compiled from January through December 2008. Family members were asked to evaluate the care provided to the patient, as well as their own hospice experience. Available online at ww.FloridaHealthFinder.gov, the results are searchable by hospice provider name or county. The Agency for Health Care Administration is committed to better health care for all Floridians. AHCA administers Florida’s Medicaid program, licenses and regulates more than 32,000 health care facilities and 37 health maintenance organizations, and promotes the exchange of and publishes health care information and statistics. For more information, visit http://ahca.myflorida.com
|