For Health Care Providers
Why Refer Patients to Hospice?
Beloit Regional Hospice appreciates the opportunity to partner with physicians
to provide the finest quality end-of-life care possible to all those in
need. The BRH nurses, social workers, CNAs, volunteers and spiritual care
providers serve as your eyes and ears in the home of the patient. Our
nurses regularly communicate with physicians for needs and changes in
condition.
Hospice services are available to persons who can no longer benefit from
curative treatment; the typical hospice patient has a life expectancy
of six months or less if the disease runs its normal and expected course.
This serves as a guideline only. Some patients may be with our program
for months beyond the six months. In these situations our team works with
the patient’s attending physician to determine continued eligibility.
Eligibility Criteria
- Patients must meet the following eligibility criteria to be appropriate for hospice care:
- Adults, children and infants with a prognosis of six months or less if the disease runs its normal course
- Hospice can continue after six months as long as the patient continues to meet eligibility criteria
- Prognosis is certified by physician
- Patient and family desire palliative care as opposed to curative treatment
Types of conditions that may be appropriate for referral include:
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- Cancer
- HIV/AIDS
- Severe birth defects
- Stroke
- Alzheimer’s/Dementia
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- Cardiovascular disease
- Failure to thrive
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Parkinson’s disease
- Renal diseases
- Liver disease
- Lung disease
- Debility unspecified
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. As a complimentary service, BRH will meet with patients and their loved ones to discuss hospice options.
Hospice offers palliative, rather than curative treatment. Under the direction of a physician, hospice uses sophisticated methods of pain and symptom control that enable the patient to live as fully and comfortably as possible.
Hospice treats the person, not the disease. The interdisciplinary hospice team is made up of professionals who address the medical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs of the patient and loved ones.
Hospice offers individualized and coordinated services to promote optimum comfort and a personal sense of control, which includes:
- A plan of care based on the patient’s needs and goals
- Expert pain and symptom management
- Physical, emotional and spiritual care for the patient and family
- An interdisciplinary team of professionals and volunteers
- Bereavement and grief support for the children and adults
- Respite care
- 24-hour/7 day a week availability
- Medications, equipment and supplies delivered to the home
To speak to a staff member directly about working with Beloit Regional Hospice, please contact us locally at 608.363.7421.