Hospice Eligibility Guidelines

Hospice Eligibility Guidelines

HOSPICE INDICATORS

These guidelines are for reference only and are not a guarantee that admission to hospice care is approved or denied. Please contact our Intake Coordinator / Admissions Counselor to discuss specific details of your patient’s medical history and condition.

CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE:

  • Class IV functional status (NYHA)
  • Ejection fraction < 20%
  • Optimal diuretic and vasodilator therapy
  • Recurrent symptoms of CHF at rat

COPD:

  • Disabing dyspnea at rest
  • Oxygen dependent
  • Oxygen saturation le. than 88%
  • Recurrent infections / hospitalizations
  • Poor response to bronchodilators

ALZHEIMER’S:

  • Stage 7 or higher on FAST
    • Unable to ambulate alone
    • Unable to dress, bath, feed self
    • Incontinent of bowel and bladder
    • Unable to speak or communicate meaningfully
  • Presence of / history of at least 1 comorbid condition in the past year
    • Ex. weight loss, UTI, aspiration pneumonia, decubitus ulcers, etc.

NEUROLOGICAL (CVA, Parkinson’s, ALS, etc.):

  • Stage 7 or higher on FAST
      • Unable to ambulate alone
      • Unable to dress, bathe, feed self
      • Incontinent of bowel and bladder
      • Speech limited
  • Karnofsky < 40%
  • Poor nutritional status, dysphasia, and/or > 10.0% weight loss

RENAL DISEASE:

  • Elevated BUN and Creatinine
  • Urine output < 400 rnI/24hrs
  • Patient/ family choose to stop dialysis
  • Hepatorenal syndrome

LIVER DISEASE:

  • Documentation of specific liver disease
  • Jaundice
  • Ascites
  • Abnormal liver enzymes
  • Bleeding diathesis and elevated PTT
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