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General Symptoms
- Eligibility
 The National
Hospice and Palliative Care Organization defines hospice as
care that involves a team-oriented approach to skilled
medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual
support specifically modified to the patient’s needs and
desires. Support is provided to the patient’s family as
well. At the center of hospice care is the belief that each
of us has the right to die pain-free and with dignity, and
that our families will receive the necessary support to
allow us to do so. Hospice care is covered under Medicare,
Medicaid, and most private insurance plans, HMOs, and other
managed care organizations.
Hospice focuses
on caring, not curing, and usually care is provided in the
patient’s home. However, patients can also receive
end-of-life care in a nursing facility or hospital. Care is
not always continuous; a patient who goes into remission (a
period of relief from the symptoms of an illness) may no
longer need hospice care, but can receive it again if the
symptoms reoccur.
General
Symptoms
General
symptoms for identifying patients for hospice services:
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Progressive decline in status despite
curative measures
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Continued weight loss
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Frequent hospitalizations or ER visits in
the past six months
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Repeat multiple infections (i.g.
pneumonia, bronchitis, UTIs)
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Increased or uncontrolled pain
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Progressive or profound weakness and
fatigue
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History of cardiac arrest
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Continuous oxygen
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Shortness of breath or chest pain at rest
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Difficulty swallowing
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Changes in mental status
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Uncontrolled pain or nausea
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Other
uncontrolled symptoms
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Eligibility
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Presence of a life-limiting illness with
a life expectancy of approximately six months or less,
if the illness runs its normal course.
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Currently, patient does not desire
curative treatment.
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A written confirmation by the attending
physician of the prognosis.
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A physician
order for hospice.
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