Is hospice the same as home health nursing?
Two primary differences exist between hospice care and home health nursing. First, any patient with a skilled medical care need is qualified to receive home health nursing care. The patient may be recuperating from heart surgery or require intravenous medication for an infection from which they are expected to recover. Hospice care, on the other hand, is limited to persons with a terminal illness, usually with a life expectancy of six months or less, and with a focus on palliation not cure. Second, whereas persons in home health care receive visits primarily from a nurse (additional services such as physical or occupational therapy are sometimes ordered), persons in hospice care receive the services of an entire interdisciplinary team whose area of expertise is end-of-life care. ^top When is Hospice Referral Appropriate? A referral to hospice is appropriate when the patient and family have opted for palliative treatment for life-limiting or “terminal” illness. Medicare guidelines furth
Related Questions
- Are nursing facilities, skilled nursing centers, hospices, rehabilitation centers, mental health facilities, and home health centers eligible for Medicare incentive payments?
- What is the difference between VNA home care and Hospice home nursing services?
- How is Hospice care different from other Home Health services?
