Hospice organizations strive for quality care

The Gazette's April 25 article, “Patient advocates criticize hospice oversight in Iowa,” failed to convey the many crucial steps hospice organizations, like us, are doing to provide the highest quality of care for all patients and their loved ones in this region. The process of certification not only includes state certification but also the opportunity for hospice organizations to be accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC), just like hospitals. St. Luke's Hospice in Cedar Rapids is fully accredited by TJC.

Being accredited involves a rigorous review process, which and occurs at least every three years. This is more stringent than the state certification. During the 2009 review (which includes TJC inspection as well as the state inspection), St. Luke's received no negative citations related to patient care and several commendations. In addition, St. Luke's became the first hospice in Iowa to be awarded the highly prestigious “deemed status” by the state and TJC.

We acknowledge the need for good oversight of hospices in Iowa. We support the desire to improve quality of care across the board as well as transparency in reporting, and point out the presence of additional mechanisms to help providers and patients choose the highest level of care possible. It is important to us that patients and their families understand the lengths to which St. Luke's Hospice will go to ensure that.

Dr. James Bell

Medical Director

St. Luke's Hospice