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• Referral Process
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  • Bethany House
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 Upon referral of a patient, an RN will arrange a time to visit with the patient and family to explain the hospice program and perform an assessment to verify appropriateness for admission. Patients admitted into the program will be evaluated every 90 days for 6 months and every 60 days there after to monitor appropriateness.

Some patients will have periods of stabilization yet continue a steady decline and some patients will stabilize and no longer require hospice care.  In consultation with the attending physician, patient, and family, we may possibly discharge a patient with the reassurance to the family we can readmit their love one should their condition start to decline again.

Criteria for Admission

• The patient will have a diagnosis of cancer or other terminal illness and will have elected to have palliative care measures only, and not aggressive, curative care protocols.
• The patient with illness other than cancer, who will be receiving palliative care, will meet Hospice admission criteria and will have a terminal diagnosis and prognosis.
• The patient attending physician must agree that the patient is a suitable candidate for Hospice Care.
• The patient must reside within the Hospice of EAMC service area (50 mile radius) excluding Georgia.
• The patient will designate a family member or friend who will act as the primary caregiver.  She/he must be willing to identify a plan of care when the patient is unable to be left alone.
• The patient and family must be willing to accept Hospice care and have read and signed the terms of agreement.
• The patient and family understand the Hospice election periods and know they may be referred to another home care agency if they are receiving aggressive care and have shown extended periods of remission and improvement.

Criteria for Admission – Bethany House

• The patient has elected the Hospice benefit and is experiencing a medical crisis requiring inpatient symptom management.
• The patient and family are on the Hospice benefit and require a short period of respite care (5 days) in inpatient care.
• The patient is facing imminent death, and circumstances do not allow for the patient to be cared for in his or her home setting.