Hospice of Southern Illinois

Premiere Local Hospice Provider

American Pharmacists Month: Myth 4

By: Amanda Daniels, PharmD, PGY-2 Pharmacy Resident in Pain and Palliative Care, Hospice of Southern Illinois

October is American Pharmacists Month and we are excited to present to you a series of myths throughout the month by our very own, Amanda Daniels, PharmD, PGY-2 Pharmacy Resident in Pain and Palliative Care! Our series will help expand your understanding of the field and debunk some myths in the field of pharmacy.

MYTH 4: You can stop taking your medication once you start feeling better.

Many people stop taking their medications because they started feeling better. This is particularly common with antibiotics and other medications that treat common diseases that individuals can’t feel, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol.  If a person feels good and wants to stop taking medications, talk to a doctor or pharmacist.  If it’s a prescribed course of antibiotics, it is crucial to finish out that course and take all of the medication as prescribed because of the increase in antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance is when bacteria start becoming unaffected by our available antibiotics and these antibiotics will no longer treat these common bacteria. When a full course of antibiotics is not finished, the bacteria that haven’t been killed become resistant. These resistant bacteria then start to grow and cause more infections that are harder to treat. 

Click here to learn more about our PGY-2 Pharmacy Residency Program.  

American Pharmacists Month: Myth 3

By: Amanda Daniels, PharmD, PGY-2 Pharmacy Resident in Pain and Palliative Care, Hospice of Southern Illinois

October is American Pharmacists Month and we are excited to present to you a series of myths throughout the month by our very own, Amanda Daniels, PharmD, PGY-2 Pharmacy Resident in Pain and Palliative Care! Our series will help expand your understanding of the field and debunk some myths in the field of pharmacy.

MYTH 3: Hospice stops all medications

It’s often said that family members wish to avoid hospice services because they’re afraid that hospice will stop all the patient’s medications. This is not true! Once admitted, the medical doctor will look over all medications and decide what is important to continue at that time. The medical doctor may stop medications that have no benefit, such as multivitamins, but may continue any other medications he or she feels is necessary to aid in patient comfort.  If there is any question regarding why certain medications are stopped or continued, please ask a hospice team member. The primary goal of hospice is to aid in patient comfort.

Click here to learn more about our PGY-2 Pharmacy Residency Program.  

American Pharmacists Month: Myth 2

By: Amanda Daniels, PharmD, PGY-2 Pharmacy Resident in Pain and Palliative Care, Hospice of Southern Illinois

October is American Pharmacists Month and we are excited to present to you a series of myths throughout the month by our very own, Amanda Daniels, PharmD, PGY-2 Pharmacy Resident in Pain and Palliative Care! Our series will help expand your understanding of the field and debunk some myths in the field of pharmacy.

MYTH 2: Natural supplements are always safe.

When you think of natural supplements, it is often thought that these are safe because they come from nature. What many individuals don’t know is that these supplements are not held to the same standards that medications are when it comes to quality and purity. Since these supplements are not regulated as strictly, these supplements may have other ingredients that aren’t listed on the label, some of which can be very dangerous by themselves or when mixed with other medications.  In addition, some supplements that people take for various reasons have major drug interactions with commonly prescribed medications. For this reason, it is advised to let a doctor or pharmacist know any over-the-counter supplements being taken. This helps ensure that all of these supplements and medications are working safely together and people aren’t in danger from any major drug interactions.

Click here to learn more about our PGY-2 Pharmacy Residency Program.  

American Pharmacists Month: Myth 1

By: Amanda Daniels, PharmD, PGY-2 Pharmacy Resident in Pain and Palliative Care, Hospice of Southern Illinois

October is American Pharmacists Month and we are excited to present to you a series of myths throughout the month by our very own, Amanda Daniels, PharmD, PGY-2 Pharmacy Resident in Pain and Palliative Care! Our series will help expand your understanding of the field and debunk some myths in the field of pharmacy.

MYTH 1: Morphine kills hospice patients

Perhaps one of the most common myths about hospice services is that morphine kills hospice patients.  Morphine was first introduced over 200 years ago and it is used to treat shortness of breath and pain. It can also help with anxiety and help make the heart work better. While morphine does have some serious side effects when using too high of a dose, a doctor and nurse are monitoring the patient daily to ensure safe use.  In the hospice setting, morphine is used to relieve shortness of breath and pain in an effort to provide comfort to our patients.

Click here to learn more about our PGY-2 Pharmacy Residency Program.  

References

  1. Kuebler KK, Heidrich DE, Esper P. Palliative and End-of-Life Care. Clinical Practice Guidelines. Second Edition.

HOSI Announces Pharmacy Residency Program’s 2nd Year

Hospice of Southern Illinois Announces Pharmacy Residency Program

Hospice of Southern Illinois is announcing our 2nd year with a PGY-2 (post-graduate, year 2) in Pain and Palliative Care Pharmacy Residency Program. In collaboration with the SIUE School of Pharmacy, we remain the only PGY-2 (post-graduate, year 2) in Pain and Palliative Care Pharmacy Residency Program fully funded by a hospice, in the United States. We are pleased to introduce and welcome the full-time, on-staff, PGY-2 Pharmacy Resident, Mandy Daniels, PharmD. Our patients, families and organization will directly benefit from this very special program, which is 1 of 14 in the country and the only one fully funded by a hospice. Dr. Daniels will play a critical role in delivering the highest quality end-of-life care to patients and families we serve. She will also help us grow and continue providing top-notch, end-of-life care as your local, not-for-profit hospice. Mandy shares in our excitement, “Practicing as a pharmacist at Hospice of Southern Illinois allows me to work within an interdisciplinary team to provide the highest quality end-of-life care to meet the needs of both the patients and their families.”

 “We have collaborated with Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville’s School of Pharmacy to implement a niche program to benefit Hospice of Southern Illinois’ patients and organization; additionally, the experience, knowledge and education our Pharmacist will receive has been customized to provide a genuine learning experience and specific end-of-life care training to implement into future programs or settings,” shares Dr. Ellen Middendorf, Medical Director of Hospice of Southern Illinois. The specialized support this program offers to Hospice of Southern Illinois includes direct patient benefits by ensuring safe and effective medication use, medication cost management and education to our staff, patients, and families. Our pharmacist will help manage patient profiles for streamlined symptom management to reduce side effects and control medication interactions; offer expertise from the pharmacy field to improve our ability to reduce medication costs, including monitoring regulation changes and determining “related” and “unrelated” medications; and finally, the access to one-on-one education for staff, patients and families, and healthcare professionals is invaluable.

Chris Herndon, PharmD., professor at the SIUE School of Pharmacy, and PGY-2 Residency Program Director, added, “this novel training program will prepare pharmacists to integrate seamlessly into the hospice interdisciplinary team and directly impact the care of those at the end of life. As medication regimens become more complex, it makes perfect sense to add the pharmacist to the hospice clinical team.”

(Photographed L to R: Dr. Ellen Middendorf, Hospice of Southern Illinois’ Medical Director, Chris Herndon, PharmD., professor at the SIUE School of Pharmacy, Mandy Daniels, PharmD., Hospice of Southern Illinois’ Pharmacy Resident, and Amy Richter, Hospice of Southern Illinois’ President and CEO) 

Hospice of Southern Illinois is your community not-for-profit hospice program serving 27 counties in southern Illinois since 1981. Our commitment at Hospice of Southern Illinois is to be with our patients and their loved ones through the changing needs of the end-of-life process and the grief experience. For more information about Hospice of Southern Illinois, visit our website, www.hospice.org, or contact Lisa Phillipson, 618-235-1703 or lphillipson@hospice.org.

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Certified Nursing Assistants Week

 

Hospice of Southern Illinois Celebrates National Certified Nursing Assistants Week

Now more than ever, attention is being directed to the care of our elders and even more attention is being directed towards those who provide hands-on care. Starting June 15 through June 22, 2017, Hospice of Southern Illinois and organizations around the United States will celebrate the 40th annual National Nursing Assistants’ Week. This week is spent honoring Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and Hospice Aides, which make up 13% of Hospice of Southern Illinois’ caregivers and advocates today. These CNAs and Hospice Aides, provide compassionate and personal services to Hospice of Southern Illinois’ patients and families. Their role in patient’s goals of care and Hospice of Southern Illinois’ circle of care are to provide compassionate assistance with the everyday needs such as personal care, bathing and feeding.

Hospice Aides provide hands-on care that patients deserve during their end-of-life journey. Hospice of Southern Illinois takes this opportunity to thank their own Hospice Aides and all CNAs who provide care in Hospice of Southern Illinois’ 27 county service areas, for always providing comfort, ensuring dignity and extending respect. 

To learn more about National Nursing Assistants’ Week, visit the National Network of Career Nursing Assistants’ website. Hospice of Southern Illinois’ mission is to enhance the quality of life for individuals and their loved ones touched by a terminal illness. To learn more about Hospice of Southern Illinois or to apply for open positions, visit hospice.org or call 1-800-233-1708.

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President and CEO Announcement

Hospice of Southern Illinois Announces President & CEO

Hospice of Southern Illinois’ Board of Directors is pleased to appoint Amy Richter as the President and Chief Executive Officer effective April 30, 2017. 

Ms. Richter joined Hospice of Southern Illinois on December 14, 2009, as the Chief Financial Officer. She currently has been serving as the Interim President and CEO. Her educational background includes an MBA in Management and a Bachelor of Science in Professional Accounting. She is also a licensed Certified Public Accountant. Her professional background prior to joining Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc. included Corporate Director at a major health system in St. Louis.

Ms. Richter brings strong leadership skills to this position. She has served with integrity and we feel that her vision will serve persons who need end-of-life care in the 27 counties served by Hospice of Southern Illinois.

We are proud to welcome Ms. Richter as Hospice of Southern Illinois’ President and CEO. Her expertise and motivation are to be commended.

Sincerely,

 
 

Jennifer Barbieri, Chairperson, Board of Directors

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Hospice of Southern Illinois’ mission is to enhance the quality of life for individuals and their loved ones touched by a terminal illness. We are proud to be your community, not-for-profit hospice serving 27 counties in southern Illinois since 1981. If you have any questions call 1-800-233-1708 or visit hospice.org.

Celebrating National Nurses Week

Hospice of Southern Illinois Celebrates National Nurses Week

Compassion, experience, warmth, personal, delicate, advocate… these are just a few words that describe the care that the people we call our nurses provide to 27 counties in southern Illinois. They are gifted individuals who share their calling to care for people during their end-of-life journey. While supporting our mission daily, to enhance the quality of life for individuals and their loved ones touched by a terminal illness, they provide care, support, expertise, and love to so many patients and families every year. The American Nurses Association has designated 2017 as the “Year of the Healthy Nurse.” Join us during National Nurses Week, May 6–12, as we explore this year’s theme, “Nursing: the Balance of Mind, Body, and Spirit.” It’s all about celebrating nurses, like our 51 dedicated nurses who lead the charge for health and wellness. We want to take this opportunity to thank them for the tireless hours, the compassionate care and loving support they give to people, as if they were their own family.

The history of National Nurses Week dates back to 1953. Each year May 6th begins the celebration through the 12th, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. Nursing takes a dedicated person with a passion for helping others. They advocate for their patients and passing healthcare regulations. They are leaders in the workplace and community managing the lives of others and taking initiative to make patients and families comfortable. They set the bar for providing compassionate care!

To learn more about National Nurses Week, visit the American Nurses Association website. To learn more about Hospice of Southern Illinois or to apply for open nursing positions, visit our career page. Hospice of Southern Illinois is proud to be your community, not-for-profit hospice serving 27 counties in southern Illinois since 1981. If you have any questions call 1-800-233-1708 or visit our home page. 

National Volunteer Week

National Volunteer Week

Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” We describe our volunteers as an extra special group of committed citizens. They help improve the quality of life of those in their end-of-life journey, directly through patient care and indirectly by supporting those who provide the care. We take National Volunteer Week, April 23-29, 2017, to recognize this selfless group of people who come together for our mission, to enhance the quality of life for individuals and their loved ones touched by a terminal illness. So to our dedicated and passionate volunteer team, we thank you for all you do. Our volunteers are walking “angels” who spread love, provide support and lend a hand that is always appreciated and needed!

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Facts and Figures reports, “The U.S. hospice movement was founded by volunteers and there is continued commitment to volunteer service. In fact, hospice is unique in that it is the only provider whose Medicare Conditions of Participation requires volunteers to provide at least 5% of total patient care hours.” We appreciate our Hospice of Southern Illinois’ volunteers because in addition to them sharing their time and talents, they gave over 9,700 hours of their time, in 2016, to change the world.  Our volunteers go above and beyond the national requirements because they know what they do makes a huge impact on our patients and families. The difference they make is immeasurable. The smiles on our patients’ faces, the relief our families describe, and the requests made from staff are constant affirmation that our volunteers are so significant to our goals of care. 

Hospice of Southern Illinois is your community not-for-profit hospice program serving 27 counties in southern Illinois since 1981. To learn more about our volunteer programs, how volunteers play a role in the circle of care, or to become a volunteer for Hospice of Southern Illinois, visit our website, or contact Shelly Black or Sally Koval, 618-235-1703, or Rita Spiller or Donna Cunetto, 618-997-3030.

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National Social Workers’ Month

Hospice of Southern Illinois Celebrates National Social Workers’ Month

When one thinks of the month of March, many things may come to mind. Whether it’s the color green, specific sports, the anticipation of spring and flowers, or even four leaf clovers, many don’t know about another important recognition for March. It is also National Social Worker’s Month. Here at Hospice of Southern Illinois, we celebrate social workers and bereavement counselors everywhere, as do many other organizations across the United States. Our social workers and bereavement counselors play an integral role in the hospice circle of care. They help our patients, and their families, with emotional and spiritual needs, as well as, a holistic approach towards meeting the needs presented during the end-of-life journey.

The 2017 theme for National Social Workers’ Month is “Social Workers Stand Up!” The campaign during Social Workers’ Month is to educate the public about contributions of social workers and why the professional title of social worker is so important. There are multiple ways that we, as a community, can help get the word out about social workers:

  1. Thank a social worker that you know. A little thank you can go a long way, telling them how much they are appreciated.
  2. On social media websites like, comment, or share anything that is related to National Social Workers’ Month and “Social Workers Stand Up!” Help to spread the word!
  3. Educate yourself on what many different occupations that social workers have. Many social workers may hold positions you may not even consider, including social workers and bereavement counselors for a hospice like ours.

Our social workers seek to impact not only the lives of our patients and family, but are also available to provide resources to the public sector that can enhance their individual and collective well-being. Our social workers are available to help the general public, through speaking engagements, consultations and bereavement service that will maximize use of available resources within their own community supports.

Additional information about hospice services, careers for social workers and counselors, and advanced care planning is available from Hospice of Southern Illinois, your local not-for-profit hospice organization. You can visit our website, or contact us by phone at 1-800-233-1708. More information about National Social Worker Month can be found here.

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