What does the Hospice admission process involve?
One of the first things WWCH will do is contact the patients physician to make sure he or she agrees that hospice care is appropriate for this patient at this time. A hospice nurse will arrange an admissions appointment to make sure that the patient agrees that hospice care is appropriate. The patient will be asked to sign a consent form and insurance forms, similar to the forms patients sign when they enter a hospital. The form says that the patient understands that the care is palliative (aimed at pain relief and symptom control) rather than curative and outlines the services available. The form Medicare patients sign also tells how electing the Medicare hospice benefit affects other Medicare coverage for a terminal illness.
One of the first things hospice will do is contact the patient’s physician to make sure he or she agrees that hospice care is appropriate for this patient at this time. (WELLS HOUSE has medical staff available to help patients who have no physician). The patient will also be asked to sign consent and insurance forms. These are similar to the forms patients sign when they enter a hospital. The “Hospice Election Form” says that the patient understands that the care is palliative (that is, aimed at pain relief and symptom control) rather than curative. It also outlines the services available. The form Medicare patients sign also tells how electing the Medicare hospice benefit affects other Medicare coverage for a terminal illness.
When a patient is referred, hospice will first contact the patient’s physician to verify that hospice care is appropriate. A nurse will then meet with the patient and assess his or her needs and condition. A social worker will also offer assistance, addressing any emotional, social or spiritual needs the family or patient may have. • Does hospice do anything to make death come sooner? Hospice does nothing either to hasten or delay the dying process. Just as doctors and midwives lend support and expertise during childbirth, so hospice provides its presence and specialized knowledge during the dying process. • Is HospiceCare affiliated with any religious organization or other institution? HospiceCare is not affiliated with any particular religion. Its staff helps facilitate the patient’s own belief system and does not promote one philosophy over another. The agency is independent of all other hospices and hospitals. It is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of community me
After receiving a referral for hospice services, one of the first things the hospice program will do is contact the patient’s physician to make sure he or she agrees that hospice care is appropriate. Our hospice Medical Director is available to help patients who have no physician. Once the patient is certified, hospice services will begin immediately.
One of the first things our agency will do is contact the patient’s physician to make sure he/she agrees that hospice care is appropriate. (Hospice Family Care also has two local Medical Directors available to help patients who have no physician.) Next, an Intake & Admission Team (RN/SW) will visit the patient for an assessment and to discuss the patient’s and family’s goals as well as the goals of Hospice Family Care.
