Abstract
A question that patients commonly ask when enrolling in hospice is, “Will I still be able to get lab tests and x-rays?”
Because the focus of hospice care is comfort rather than cure, the doctor and nurse usually do not need lab tests and imaging studies like x-rays or scans. The focus of a hospice treatment plan centers on the patient's symptoms rather than numbers from lab results or changes on an x-ray.
Questions Your Doctor and Nurse Consider:
Would the results of the test improve symptoms, safety or quality of life?
By concentrating on what symptoms are present and treating them, most often the hospice team will be able to improve quality of life without further tests.
Would the trip to get the test be too fatiguing or painful?
The burden of getting the test may become greater than the benefit, and shift away from the focus of comfort.
Is this test necessary to monitor a medication?
Sometimes the doctor can change the medications so that monitoring is not needed or can be done less frequently and still be safe.
Sometimes, however, tests do help guide treatment. For example, when a patient falls, getting an x-ray might help the doctor and nurse make decisions about ways to reduce pain or maintain safety in case of a broken bone.
Given all this, it is important to know that it is okay to ask about labs and x-rays. Using these points as a guide when talking to the hospice nurse or doctor can help address questions regarding tests and x-rays while in hospice.
Footnotes
The information and recommendations appearing on this page are appropriate in most instances, but are not a substitute for medical diagnosis. For specific information concerning your personal situation or medical condition, JPM suggests that you consult your physician. This page may be photocopied noncommercially by physicians and other health care professionals to share with patients. Any other print or online reproduction is subject to approval by the publisher: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. To purchase bulk reprints, call 914-740-2100.