Medical Professionals: Physicians > Admission and Billing > Admission Criteria > Benefits to the Physician > Patient Eligibility | Education
 

Admission Criteria
HOME LEVEL OF CARE

l Limited life expectancy of approximately six months or less
-- determining factor is prognosis, not diagnosis
-- lack of response to treatment
-- disadvantages of treatment outweigh potential benefits
l Any end-stage disease may be considered terminal
l Patient desires supportive care and symptom management and wishes no further aggressive treatment
l Attending physician authorizes Hospice program

CRITERIA FOR INPATIENT (ACUTE) LEVEL OF CARE

l Patient is in need of acute medical care (skilled care) for symptoms that cannot be managed at home
l Pain management: intractable pain requiring evaluation, monitoring and/or titration of medication for resolution
l Severe respiratory distress: compromised and unmanageable requiring evaluation, treatment and titration of medication for resolution
l Hemorrhaging: unresponsive to local measures requiring frequent intervention and dressing changes
l Intractable nausea and vomiting: requiring medication changes and/or adjustment
l Complex wound care: requiring medication changes and/or adjustment
l Agitation, unmanageable behavior, seizures: requiring medication changes and/or medication adjustment
l Actively dying: death is imminent and family unable to cope at home
l Family teaching for home care: medication administration, colostomy care, etc.