Community Hospice of Virginia Earns Highest Rating for Outstanding Patient Care

 (Falls Church, VA – June 10, 2010)  Community Hospice of Virginia has earned the highest satisfaction rating possible on a voluntary survey of the patients and families they serve. The Patient and Family Satisfaction Rating surveys were collected during a six-month period by DEYTA, an independent research firm. The surveys show one hundred percent satisfaction with Community Hospice’s services including patient comfort and medication, personalized care, coordination of care, home medical equipment and support for family and friends.

 Hospice is a concept of care that focuses on comfort rather than cures for people with terminal illnesses.  Care is given wherever people live: in their own homes, with relatives or friends, in long-term care or assisted living facilities or in hospitals.

 Nia Longwood, Clinical Service Manager of Community Hospice of Virginia, said, “Our patients are like members of our families and it’s an honor to be with them as they live the final chapters of their lives.”  Ms. Longwood continues, “It’s really important to treat our patients as whole people – not just as their diagnoses. They may want spiritual reassurance or emotional support and our hospice team is there for them. That’s what we mean when we say that we give compassionate care.”

 Hospice includes care for the physical aspects of end of life as well as the spiritual, mental, emotional and social aspects. The hospice team – a physician, nurses, social worker, home health aides, chaplain, bereavement counselor and trained volunteers – are available to offer guidance and support 24-hours-a-day and make regularly scheduled visits.

 According to Ms. Longwood, her entire staff is responsible for Community Hospices achieving the outstanding rating from hospice patients and their families. “We work closely as a team to provide the best care possible for our patients in whatever time they have left,” she said.

 The Washington Home & Community Hospices has served people who are elderly, chronically or terminally ill since 1888 and currently serves residents of the City of Alexandria, Fairfax City, the City of Falls Church and the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William. Services are also provided to residents of the District of Columbia and Maryland. For more information about service in Virginia, call Community Hospice of Virginia at 1.866.234.7742 or visit www.communityhospice.org.