In October 2025, things changed for people in hospice. We said goodbye to the old Hospice Item Set (HIS) and hello to the HOPE tool (Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation).
If you’ve been around hospice for any amount of time, you know how those old forms could get. They didn’t always capture what a patient was going through. HOPE is supposed to make things better.
Read on to track what your patients need to be comfortable, how they’re truly feeling, and how their quality of life is improving over time.
HOPE stands for Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation, and it is a new gold standard in hospice care that prioritizes patients whose charts are complete with all their information, have follow-up visits, and have easy-to-use documents that track symptoms, preferences, and functional status.
The better the documentation, the stronger the Hospice care outcomes, and the clearer the understanding of what may result from hospice care.
Agencies that get their caregivers trained early and map things out will have a smoother time adding hospice tools to their workflow. Here’s the lowdown:
The HOPE Tool has different sections. Each one needs its own form. Break it down so caregivers can zero in on one thing at a time. This makes it easier to grasp and remember.
The Nitty-Gritty:
Double-check info like patient details, language, and emergency contacts. Getting this spot-on is key to following the rules and improving hospice compliance.
Patient Input:
Write down exactly what the patient wants for their care. Chat with them a few times and go over their options to make hospice care better.
Health Check:
The tool wants you to check the health of the documentation. This ensures the team can improve results and strengthen your compliance program.
Add these parts to training for agency caregivers or team meetings. You can even use stories and practice situations.
Training is more helpful when caregivers see how the paperwork really affects patients. Share stories to show them why each part of the hope tool matters to the hospice.
For Instance, say a patient has a terrible cough. The caregiver can use the hope tool hospice to note it down and change what they’re doing to give better comfort. That can lead to stronger Hospice outcomes and better outcomes of hospice care.
Practice situations and stories help caregivers talk to patients and families and relate in a better way.
The attitude of leadership sets the vibe. Managers should be happy, point out all the good that organized paperwork can do, and celebrate good work.
Teams are more likely to get it right, give the best care, and see great Hospice care outcomes.
Training for caregivers is needed for a great hope tool hospice. These training sessions should have:
For agencies deeply invested in top-notch quality and patient support, the hospice hope tool is an asset.
When you support your agency and provide proper training, it can reduce stress, cut down on errors, and improve hospice results.
Take the next step with Learn2Care.
Learn2Care offers training for agency caregivers, making them confident in using hospice tools. We offer clear tips, training based on real-world cases, and mentorship to get your team ready.
Begin today to get your hospice team ready for the future, with strong compliance and the potential for excellent hospice care results.
What’s the HOPE tool?
It’s a way to check in often, focus on patients, and improve hospice care.
Why train caregivers?
Trained caregivers handle paperwork faster, use tools easily, and enjoy their work. This improves patient care and helps the whole hospice program!
How do agencies train staff?
Agencies can break down the tool, use real examples, train in teams, and offer support. This boosts confidence, eases the transition, and improves results.
Related Blog Posts-
New Rules for Assisted Living Facility: Staffing & Training Compliance
5 Caregiving Essential Tools Every Caregiver Needs
Find your next read and expand your knowledge
Contact us to inquire about our state-wise training courses and take the first step towards upskilling your team with a 14-day free trial!
