Admittance to hospice care
Admission Criteria
Are you uncertain if it's time for you or a loved one to receive services from Hospice Brazos Valley? Answering yes to one or more of the following points could mean it is time for hospice services.
- You have a life limiting illness with a prognosis of 6 months or less
- There is a significant decline in functional status
- An experience of frequent emergency room visits or hospitalizations because of out of control symptoms
- A weight loss of 10% or more of normal body weight, which has occurred within the past 4 to 6 month
- You have decided to stop treatment, desiring comfort care
- Aggressive treatments are no longer effective to your disease
If you have any doubts, contact Hospice Brazos Valley. Our experienced staff will consult with you to assess your appropriateness for admission. Remember, hospice is not only for persons with a cancer diagnosis.
Process of Admittance
When Hospice Brazos Valley staff receives a referral, the referred individual’s physician is contacted. The physician confirms the referred person’s appropriateness for services. If you are uncertain that you or a loved one qualifies for services, a member of the Hospice Brazos Valley staff will be glad to contact your physician to inquire. If referred by someone outside of the referred person or family of the referred person, the Hospice Brazos Valley staff will contact the referred person, a family member or significant other. An appointment will be established for an initial informational meeting.
The admissions process involves an interview with the Hospice Brazos Valley Admission Team which includes a social service representative and a registered nurse. Information will be provided to the patient, the patient's family, caregiver and/or significant other about what they can expect from Hospice Brazos Valley. Information will include how care is provided, the available services, and information on the illness and its effects. The registered nurse will complete a current physical assessment, review the current medication regime, and initiate a plan of care.
In some cases, an individual and/or a family member may desire an informational visit only. Hospice Brazos Valley staff will gladly meet with an individual, the individual's family, caregiver and/or significant other to review services.
