Final Weighted Mail Survey Questionnaire Data: HCFA (Health Care Financing Administration) Hospice Research Project

摘要

The report represents the first comprehensive overview of hospice care that is representative of the variety of hospice providers in the United States. The findings from analyses of several data bases are presented. The data include (1) a national mail survey questionnaire; (2) on-site survey reports using the JCAH accreditation standards and criteria reported in the Hospice Standards Manual for 117 participating Medicare certified and non-certified hospices; (3) hospice pre-survey profiles; (4) patient care coordinator questionnaires; and (5) surveyor questionnaires. The report contains quantitative and qualitative descriptions of the variations in the nature, characteristics, and the processes employed, as measured by their compliance with the JCAH accreditation standards. The report describes the range of services provided, differences in educational backgrounds of staff, patient/staff ratios, patient characteristics, etc. The data seem to confirm the beneficial effect of standards such as those used in both the Medicare Conditions of Participation and the JCAH accreditation program. The result s consistently reveal that Medicare certified hospices have more comprehensive services, are providing care with more qualified staff, and have better processes of care provision than non-certified hospices.