St Michael Hospice

caregiver77

Our relative came home from the hospital in an altered state, but had no terminal illness or condition. When she returned to a normal state and expressed desire to eat, drink, exercise, and be outdoors it was discouraged and opposed by this hospice agency. After persistent calls and wading through their bureaucratic process, a limited degree of palliative care was agreed upon. After nutrition and hydration were given for 2 weeks, she had marked improvement and when desire to leave hospice for home health care that would provide more complete palliative and recuperative care was expressed, St Michaels opposed and discouraged it. The family had to insist and fight to revoke hospice and be discharged so appropriate home health could be initiated. Later we found it to be because of the way Medicare pays hospice costs - if a patient is in hospice for less than one month, costs are not reimbursed or at same levels as if they remain on hospice for more than a month or die within the first month of admission. Cause of death paperwork was filled out upon admission to home hospice from the hospital -- this was premature, unethical, and possibly a violation of medicare standards and medical protocols. Filings have been made with state and federal authorities on these matters. Hospice agency's relationship to home health agency Sonnet is a cause for concern and possible conflict of interest, and it led to many contradictory practices and communications to family. We had contact with the following departments/groups within St Michaels and give them the following scores. Rating out of 5: Quality of nursing (3/5), Social workers (4/5), Chaplain (5/5), Administrative (1/5).

TJohnson

I had two amazing nurses over a 24 hour period when I brought my Mom home to die after being in the hospital. They were amazing. Super attentive, caring, compassionate. They didn't leave her room and continued to provide care even after she had departed. They prepped her body, cleaned the room and made sure she was properly medicated so she was without pain. It was amazing. The male nurse even sang to her (she wasn't conscious, but he knew she could hear). I was napping on the couch in the other room and he came to get me just as she was dying. I was there when she took her last breaths. I can't say enough about this organization. They made my last day with my Mom worry free. She passed peacefully and I wish I could hug them all an thank them again for their compassion and care.

DPMS

St. Michael Hospice has helped so much in taking care of my 96 year old mother. They visited regularly, kept excellent notes on her status and passed along that information to the family in an easy to understand way. The Nurse and Social Worker assigned to the case were very caring to my mother and to the family. I am confident that she is receiving the best care possible making her as comfortable and alleviating any anxiety she may be having. I am extremely pleased with St. Michael.

Caring78298050

Basically the caregivers at St. Michael Hospice just came in and check on my mom while she was in a nursing home. They came in on a daily basis and checked on her to make sure that she was comfortable and the facility was taking care of her properly. They made the experience very pleasant for the family. I like that fact that they are available for her.