When is it time to refer my patient to hospice?
- When, in your best judgment, the patient has a life expectancy of six months or less
- When the focus of treatment shifts to comfort care
- When there is a history of frequent, multiple hospitalizations or emergency room visits
- When the patient's pain and symptoms require close monitoring
- When the patient and family need additional physical and/or emotional support
Both the family and patient benefit most when the full range of services can be integrated into the family unit. This is best accomplished when the hospice team has weeks or months, rather than days, to assess and address their needs.
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