What is involved in the hospice admission process?
Anyone can make a referral to hospice — physician, social worker, family member, friend, or member of the clergy. If the patient would like to know more about hospice, a hospice staff person will schedule a meeting to explain hospice services and answer any questions. When the patient decides on hospice care, hospice will contact his/her physician (with the patient’s permission), to confirm that the patient is eligible for hospice. Admission papers will be signed. Then a registered nurse will complete a medical exam, and an assessment of pain and symptoms. Once the care plan is determined, a primary nurse will be assigned to the patient.
The first step in the admissions process at Katy Hospice involves education. In this regard, the team at Katy Hospice meets with the patient and family members to discuss their expectations and the situation that has led to an interest in hospice in the first instance. The next step in the admissions process at Katy Hospice is contact between out staff and the patient’s physician. The purpose of this contact is to determine whether the doctor believes that the time is appropriate for a patient to enter into hospice care. We also do have a medical staff that can assist you in this regard if you do not have a physician or if you want a second opinion. As part of the admissions process, you will called upon to sign consent forms and other documents. These are similar to the types of forms that a patient will execute when he or she enters into a hospital. In addition, you will be asked to sign what is known as a hospice election form. This document states that you understand that the care
