I NEED A LIST OF QUESTIONS TO ASK PHYSICIAN

Carolm · ‎09-05-2013

To give a little background, my 90 year old sister has been hospitalized since early December, in a distant state. I am her only relative and she is no longer lucid much of the time. I received a call from a hospice representative regarding her care and I explained no one on her medical team had contacted me indicating she was at the point where hospice would be appropriate. Actually, the hospital has not been very forthcoming with information regarding her medical status. Apparently, my sister's doctor is going to call me tomorrow after rounds to discuss her case, and I want to have a prepared list of questions to ask. I am looking for insight for anyone who has been through a similar situation.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

Are you legally responsible for her care? Do you have official paperwork to make medical decisions for her and receive information about her medical concerns?

september · ‎03-09-2010

I'm confused. Who made the decision for her to go on hospice? Was she able to do this for herself, or does she have someone (not a relative) making decisions for her?

since you seem to be "catching up" on all of this, I think you may just need to listen to the info given to you, then absorb it and ask follow up questions in a later conversation

lovesrecess · ‎03-14-2010

Do you know specifically why she is hospitalized, other than her age? That would be the first thing I would want to know. I went through something similar when my mother was hospitalized and it was very hard to get meaningful info from drs. She was 88 years old and beginning to have trouble communicating but still responsive. I hope the dr does contact you and they are forthcoming with any and all info they have regarding your sister’s care. I would also find out the list of meds she is being given and what each one’s purpose is. Blessings to you and your dear sister.

mom2four0418 · ‎04-23-2010

Have you been communicating with your sister since she was hospitalized in December? I wish you well when you speak to her doctor.

“The soul is healed by being with children.”
— Fyodor Dostoyevsky

grandma r · ‎10-26-2010

@Carolm I am sorry to hear about your sister.

First and foremost, are you POA (Power of Attorney)?? Do you have the actual paperwork? Find out if your sister has a Living Will, and, if so, what are her wishes. Too often the Palliative Care people call family about Hospice before the doctor has even discussed the situation with loved ones.

It is most important to know the diagnosis and prognosis for your sister. Equally important is knowing what she would want. Typically the POA would be the person to sign Hospice paperwork if the patient is unable to do so. You will also need to know her insurance info. Most importantly, if Hospice is the only alternative, find out about the facilities available. They are not all the same. Obviously you want a facility that is clean with kind and caring personnel to care for her. Find out which facilities they are recommending and then check out the reviews. If you know people in that area, reach out and ask for their input. Don't let anyone force you to make a snap decision. Placement also depends upon bed availability.

I have answered from experience and I hope it helps. I will pray for both of you.

manny2 · ‎05-24-2010

@Carolm Hospice is recommend when traditional medical treatment is no longer beneficial. After a doctor recommends it, hospice comes in and evaluates the patient. You (the family) will also meet with hospice. Once you speak to the doctor, and then with the hospice team you will have a better understanding. If you were with your sister during this process the facility would give you a few hospice companies to choose from, so that might be a good start ask for recommendations. If they are already in place they will help you through the process.

ScrapHappy · ‎03-28-2010

@Carolm wrote:
To give a little background, my 90 year old sister has been hospitalized since early December, in a distant state. I am her only relative and she is no longer lucid much of the time. I received a call from a hospice representative regarding her care and I explained no one on her medical team had contacted me indicating she was at the point where hospice would be appropriate. Actually, the hospital has not been very forthcoming with information regarding her medical status. Apparently, my sister's doctor is going to call me tomorrow after rounds to discuss her case, and I want to have a prepared list of questions to ask. I am looking for insight for anyone who has been through a similar situation.

I would ask:

1. Diagnosis

2. Prognosis

3. Treatment(s) given to this point (effective?)

4. Treatments Options going forward

If this doctor isn't your sister's regular PCP, then she's been assigned a doctor upon admission. The doctor is going to be very "medical" about things. I can't think of another word to describe it. If it were me, I'd call and ask to speak to the nurse taking care of her for more information. She can tell you if she's confused and how often, what is she able to do for herself, medications, what is she eating?, is she able to feed herself, is she able to wash and dress herself and take herself to the bathroom or she she totally dependent. Another person I'd contact ASAP is the social worker in charge of her case. Discharge planning starts as soon as the patient is admitted and especially in this situation of hospice is

being spoken of. A discharge planner would/should know her insurance and all the information regarding options for any type of placement. If your POA and your sister has the proper paperwork in order (advance directives, etc), you should be kept in the loop about these things. And have copies. If not, then whoever is in charge of that needs to be contacted ASAP. Talk to the doctor, talk to the nurse(s) and talk to the social worker. I'm sorry you're going through this.

GCR18 · ‎07-03-2013

I have been through something similar with my sister. My sister though was going to get out. She checked herself into the hospital, but had no health care directive or power of attorney. We live 1,000 miles apart. Nobody at the hospital would tell me anything, nor would my sister.

I went there and nobody would talk to me in person either. I didn't know anything about the health care directive before this. My sister had an episode, for lack of a better word, that left her hallucinating. That's when the hospital social worker contacted me, as my sister put me as her emergency contact on her admittance form. I was given basic information.

My sister was declared incompetent of making her own health care decisions and the hospital took her to probate court, where I was named her conservator.

So you need to know about her health directive, power of attorney, her final arrangements if you don't already know. Has she assigned someone to make decisions. For the Dr to contact you, you must be listed somewhere.

They should be able to give an update on your sisters condition. This is just me, but I'd let them tell me everything they need to before asking questions. I jump in and ask questions, but sometimes wonder if I changed the direction of the conversation. I am guessing they want to discuss what's next.

It's not easy. Best wishes.

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

Obviously your sister is terminally ill since hospice care is in her future.

If your sister goes into cardiac arrest while in the hospital, you need to decide prior to talking with the physician, about making her a No Code, with a Do Not Resuscitate order. If you give permission for that, she will be cared for with comfort measures, not life sustaining treatments.