Patient/Caregiver Information

A D M I S S I O N S   A R E   P R I O R I T I Z E D    A S   F O L L O W S

1. Established HOTU patient with intense symptoms requiring GIP level care.

2. New patient to HOTU requiring GIP level care who is currently residing in upstate hospital, nursing home or other  

    facility.

3. Established HOTU patient who has declined so that they have a less than one-week prognosis and do not want to

    die at home or nursing home.

4. Established HOTU patient who has declined so that they can no longer stay in the home or assisted living but    

    who  would not ordinarily need GIP symptom control.

5. Respite care

6. Relatively stable HOTU patients transitioning to residential care.

7. Patients new to HOTU requesting transfer and likely to stay for residential care.

ADMISSION, CURRENT PATIENT FROM [HOSPICE] HOME CARE PROGRAM

P O L I C Y

Home care patients are admitted to the Hospice House, by physician order and according to admission criteria. Patients from home care can be admitted at any time (24/7) in the event of an emergency and depending on bed availability. Patient care will remain consistent during transfer to the Hospice House. The patient and family/caregiver will be oriented to the surroundings.

P R O C E D U R E

The Hospice House notifies the home care program of approved admissions.

1. The attending physician is notified of the need to transfer the patient to the Hospice House.

2. Transfer information is given to the Hospice House.

3. The home care staff arranging the transfer communicate with other team members that the transfer is taking 

    place.

4. Appropriate records must include, but are not limited to; H&P, consults, current medications list, funeral plans,    

    recent progress notes or other documentation to support hospice diagnosis. If in place, a Do Not Resuscitate

    order must accompany patient to the Hospice House.

5. The home care nurse calls report to the Hospice House nurse and notifies the home care social worker of the  

    pending transfer. Either the homecare social worker or RN arranges for transportation.  The Hospice House nurse

    initiates the transfer summary when the home care nurse calls in the patient report.  The home care nurse

    reviews the transfer summary at the follow-up visit, makes revisions and signs form.

6. The Hospice House secretary initiates the communicator and distributes to appropriate departments.

7. The family receives instruction to bring in all current medications and the items listed in the admission packet. 

8. Prior to the arrival of the patient, equipment and supplies needed for the admission (e.g. oxygen) are set up.

9. Upon admission to the Hospice House, the nurse:

    a. Assesses the patient

    b. Calls the attending physician for order

    c. Acts on urgent orders

    d. Medicates the patient if necessary

    e. The Hospice House nurse inventories medications and notifies pharmacy of medications needed.

    f.  Completes the nursing assessment   

    g. Revises plan of care and makes changes as needed

    h. Completes the Communicator.  Sends copies to Billing, Data Entry, Volunteer Coordinator, Pharmacy and

        Upstairs mail.  Retains original in the patient's medical record.       

    i.   After review, obtains the patient/legal representative signature on appropriate admission documents.