Hospice Facts for Physicians and Health Care Professionals
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Hospice is a comprehensive program of palliative and supportive services designed to help patients and families who are facing end-stage illnesses. Hospice care enables patients to live their remaining days with comfort and dignity in the familiar surroundings of home, with family and friends.
Pain management and symptom control are the clinical goals of hospice. Addressing the emotional, social and spiritual needs of the patient and family is a priority. The majority of patients receiving hospice care are able to remain in their place of residence, be it a private home or long term care facility. Hospice care is also available in residential care facilities and skilled nursing facilities.
Hospice includes services and support for family and friends while their loved one is dying, and bereavement services after the patient has died.
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Who Should be Referred to Hospice Care? |
Hospice Evaluation Service |
Who Pays for Hospice Care? |
Hospice Services |
Advantages of Sutter VNA & Hospice |
How to Make a Referral |
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Who Should be Referred to Hospice Care?
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Hospice care may be appropriate for any patient with an end-stage illness (such as cancer, pulmonary disease, Alzheimer's, and other non-malignant conditions). Certification of a 6-month prognosis by the physician is required. When the patient's physician makes a referral, the physician and our hospice team develop a care plan, which includes specific desires of the patient and family. There is no penalty if a patient outlives their six-month prognosis. Hospice care may be recertified for 60-day periods. Patients who stabilize may also come on and off hospice care as per your assessment.
Hospice Appropriate Diagnoses and Signs & Symptoms to Look For
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Hospice Evaluation Service
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Sutter VNA & Hospice staff are available to meet with, evaluate, and educate patients and families at your request. If, during the evaluation, your patient chooses hospice care and you approve of this decision, admission to the program can start right away.
Click here for hospice information you can give to your patients.
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Who Pays for Hospice Care?
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Hospice services are reimbursed by Medicare, Medi-Cal, and most private insurance plans. Our staff will work out details with the payor source and assist patients to understand benefits. In addition,the VNA & Hospice Foundation raises funds for Sutter VNA & Hospice to provide care, regardless of ability to pay.
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Hospice Services
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Nursing
Care Coordination with the Patient's Physician
Pain Management and Symptom Control
Pharmacy
Medical Equipment
24-Hour Phone Consulation
After-hours Emergency Visits
Medical Social Workers
Home Health Aides
Spiritual Support/Chaplains
Volunteer Support and Respite Care
Grief Support and Bereavement Services
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Advantages of Sutter VNA & Hospice
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One-on-one care where the patient lives.
Committment to excellence and compassion.
An outstanding team working with the primary physician, including our medical director, nurses, therapists, social workers, chaplains, bereavement counselors, home health aides, and volunteers
Local offices serving Alameda, Contra Costa, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo Counties.
Communication by phone or fax, per physician preference.
Understanding and respect of cultural differences.
State licensed and certified by Medicare and Medi-Cal. Accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).
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Click here for more information on how hospice can help your medical practice.
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How to Make a Referral
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Call 1-800-557-9777.
Fax to 510-547-3257.
On hospital discharge orders, write "Refer to Sutter VNA & Hospice for hospice care."
Click here for a Fax Referral Form
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