• To provide quality hospice care consistent with standards established by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, New Jersey Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, Medicare and Medicaid.
• To provide visits by professionals and trained volunteers aimed at promoting comfort in a consistent, timely manner; making every effort to replace staff when there is an absence.
• To communicate honestly with the hospice patient and family/caregiver about the patient's disease process and any changes in the patient's condition.
• To respect the privacy and confidentiality of each hospice patient and family and to protect the confidentiality of the clinical record.
• To respect and support the patient’s and family’s choices in all aspects of care.
• To provide staff and volunteers that are adequately trained to manage the complex needs of each hospice patient and family.
• To treat the hospice patient and family in a courteous, safe, and respectful manner.
• To refrain from discrimination against any hospice patient and/or family because of age, gender, marital status, race, color, national or ethnic
• To provide safe disposal of all unused controlled substances (narcotic pain medication) by a registered nurse when such medications are no longer required by the hospice patient.
• To respect the sanctity of the human body in life and death.
• To include the hospice patient and family in creating and implementing the hospice plan of care.
• To promote the independence and overall well-being of the hospice patient and family.
• To provide SJH HospiceCare employee photo identification for patient and family/caregiver protection.
• To teach and reinforce appropriate aspects of hospice care.
• To facilitate the transfer of the hospice patient to another agency when his/her needs can no longer be met by hospice due to its mission, philosophy, scope of services, or according to applicable law and

*Note – Hospice policy prohibits the acceptance of tips, gifts, and/or gratuities by hospice employees/volunteers or contracted agencies. 

The hospice patient and/or family/caregiver is responsible:

• To provide safe, 24-hour care of the patient and promote the safety of hospice personnel.*
• To participate in developing and following the hospice plan of care with the supervision and direction of the hospice team.
• To inform hospice team members of changes in the patient's condition or level of care needed.
• To inform hospice of any changes in physician coverage and have an attending physician at all times.
• To provide accurate information regarding health, social issues, financial data.
• To refrain from discrimination against hospice staff or volunteers because of race, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin.
• To dispose of all unused controlled substances with the nurse present or by instruction of the hospice nurse when such medications are no longer required by the hospice patient.
• To notify hospice if hospice personnel or any other individual removes narcotics from the patient's home.
• To follow methods of infection control as described in this handbook and instructed by hospice.
• To notify the hospice team or the on-call nurse immediately of any changes, concerns, or needs before obtaining services, treatment or hospitalization not authorized by hospice.
• To supply medication, equipment, or supplies that hospice is unable to provide.
• To inform the hospice team of any complications or side-effects of prescribed activities, medications, etc. in the plan of care.
• To notify hospice of the existence of or any changes in my Advance Directive.
• To notify hospice immediately if property, money, or valuables are missing or damaged during or after care or services are provided by hospice personnel or contracted staff.
• To work with members of the Interdisciplinary Team to develop a pain management plan where I am aware of my options, I can ask for pain relief when pain first begins and can receive additional interventions if my pain is not relieved.