Staffing

  • How many patients are assigned to each hospice nurse? (The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization recommends no more than 10-12 per nurse.)
  • How many volunteers have been trained to work with patients and families? Are there enough volunteers to provide help to all the families who request them? What does the training consist of?
  • How often will home health aides be provided to the patient? What are they going to do? (Most aides visit homes 3-5 times per week depending on the family’s needs, but can be assigned every day if necessary. These aides provide personal care, change bed linens, and can cook light meals for the patient.) Are the aides certified in hospice and palliative care?
  • How many of the hospice nurses are certified in hospice and palliative care?
  • What is the typical caseload for the social workers? (NHPCO recommends no more than 20-30 patients/licensed social worker.)
  • What is the typical caseload for the chaplains? (NHPCO recommends no more than 40-60 patients/chaplain).