Top 10 Hospice Deficiencies and How to Address Them
Last Updated January 2026
Hospice compliance continues to focus on interdisciplinary care planning, medication management, aide oversight, and documentation accuracy. The following deficiencies were most frequently cited during CHAP hospice surveys in 2025.
Deficiency Spotlight: Individualized Plans of Care
Hospices often struggle with developing plans of care that fully reflect the assessment of findings and evolving patient needs. Plans must include individualized interventions, scope and frequency of services, measurable goals, which provide clear direction for the intediscipinary team.
Quick Tip: Use the SMART framework to ensure goals are specific, measurable, and actionable.
Common Challenges and Solutions
- Medication Profiles: Conduct medication reconciliation at every visit to ensure medication profile accuracy and patient safety, and to facilitate timely communication across the IDG.
- Aide Care Plans: Ensure aides receive task-specific instructions and provide only the care outlined in the plan.
- Volunteer Compliance: Track volunteer hours consistently to meet the 5% requirement.
These steps help reduce repeat deficiencies and support coordinated care delivery.