Hospice Care Definitions

HOSPICE Hospice provides individuals facing terminal illness with care at home or in a healthcare facility. The goal is to assist patients to live the last stage of their lives with dignity. The focus is on comfort, rather than treatment.

Interdisciplinary Care Team

Hospice provides care for a patient with a team approach. All disciplines work together to help the patient, caregiver, and family. The team provides for the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of the patient.

Physician – Medical Director – Oversees the care of a patient by working closely with the RN to make sure the patient’s needs are met. The Medical Director reviews a patient’s chart every 14 days with the Interdisciplinary Care Team.

Registered Nurse – Manages the individual Plan of Care for each patient. Visits the patient to assess needs. Coordinates visits by the other team members.

Aide – Assists patient and family with personal care needs and light housekeeping.

Social Worker – Assesses patient and families’ emotional and social needs. Provides counseling, referrals, and support to meet identified needs.

Chaplain – Supports patient and family with spiritual needs. Volunteer – Provides companionship and support to the patient and family.

Bereavement Specialist – Offers counseling and grief support to a family for a year after a loved one passes.

Level Of Care

RO-Routine Care – Occurs when regularly scheduled visits are adequate in maintaining the individual’s symptom management. Care is provided at the patient’s home, retirement community, assisted living or skilled nursing facility.

RE-Respite Care – Provided when the family needs time to rest or go out of town for a short time. Care may be provided in a long-term care facility.

GIP – General In-Patient Care –

Provided in a skilled nursing facility when symptoms cannot be managed elsewhere. GIP is usually short in duration.

CC-Continuous Care – Provided for end of life or time of crisis that requires a constant presence by a nurse or care team. The criteria for CC may include: Severe pain or symptoms which are out of control, psychotic episodes, break-down of caregiver, imminent death, or family unable to cope.

24/7 ADMISSION Admission to hospice is 24/7, including weekends and holidays.

PALLIATIVE CARE

SERVICES PROVIDED***

RN/SW =Registered Nurse / Social Worker / CH=Chaplain / V=Volunteer

LEVELS OF CARE**

RO=Routine / RE=Respite /

G=General In-Patient Care / C=Continuous Care

PALLIATIVE CARE

INPATIENT CARE

24/7 ADMISSIONS

PAIN PUMPS AVAILABLE

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUPS

PCP OVERSIGHT

HOME HEALTH AGENCY

INDIGENT PATIENTS

PAYMENT METHODS*

COUNTIES SERVED****

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