Hospice Hawaii’s Referral Process
You can refer a patient opting to receive Hospice Hawaii services at anytime. Contact our Admissions Coordinator at 808-924-9255 to discuss a patient or persons care.The patient, family member or other loved one can call Hospice Hawaii to request for care. Hospice Hawaii will contact the patient’s physician for a medical referral. A member of the Hospice Hawaii team will contact the patient to schedule and meeting. Hospice care services can begin as early as the day of the initial meeting.
When you call Hospice Hawaii, the admissions staff will ask for some basic patient information including:
- Patient information such as diagnosis, contact information, etc.
- Primary physician information
- Primary caregivers
- Insurance details
Hospice Hawaii will then contact the patient’s primary physician, determine the best course of care and schedule an intake visit with the patient and their family.
During the intake visit, Hospice Hawaii will cover:
- Answering any questions or concerns the family may have
- The role of the patient’s care team, including the case manager, social workers, certified nurses aids, chaplain, volunteers, and caregivers.
- Insurance coverage specific to the patient
- Assessment physical and current medications
- Symptom review
- Medical Equipment for the patient
- Signing of Release and Consent Forms
The Benefits of Early Hospice Referral
Hospice is traditionally thought to be for patients who are in the last six months of life, but some patients stay on for years if their disease process is slow.
Ina 2010 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, terminal lung cancer patients receiving early palliative care lived 2.7 months longer than those who delayed palliative treatment. The authors hypothesized that:
“with earlier integration of palliative care with terminal diagnosis, results in better management of symptoms, leading to stabilization of their condition and prolonged survival.”
Patients who are referred to Hospice Hawaii care early in their disease process can receive the full benefit of hospice care. Patients only rarely need to go to the hospital or to the emergency room, staff can perform most treatments at home.
- It’s important that a conversation is had before the patient begins to decline or is admitted repeatedly to the hospital
- Patients are more comfortable having these conversations with their own physician rather than hospital staff
- Don’t be afraid to call upon Hospice Hawaii to assist with the conversation
- Determine eligibility
- Explain hospice services
- Offer counseling and support to both patient & family
Physician Benefits
Physicians benefit from early referrals, by having skilled Hospice Hawaii professionals help them in the care of their patients.
- Physicians may continue to manage and follow patients while they are on hospice
- Hospice patients can continue to visit physicians in the outpatient setting
- Physicians can bill as they normally would for services
- Hospice Hawaii Medical Director will concur with physician on prognosis
Who’s Eligible for Hospice Hawaii Care
Anyone facing life-limiting illness who wants to focus on comfort rather than curative care may enter into hospice care.
Cancer accounts for 40% of hospice admissions followed by debility unspecified, heart disease, dementia, and lung disease (NHPCO 2010 data)
Additionally, there are many ‘not so obvious’ illnesses that can make a patient qualify. Hospice Hawaii can assist in determining the diagnosis.
Why Hospice Hawaii?
- 32 years in our community with emphasis on supporting patient and family
- Only provider on Oahu dedicated to hospice only services
- Staffed with specialist and experts in the field of hospice and palliative care
- Providing statewide leadership building capacity and access to hospice and palliative care while helping to shape legislation
- Fulltime Medical Director board certified in hospice and palliative care
- Local non-profit, created by the community for the community
- Focus is to ensure patients who need hospice care receive it
- Offering alternative therapies such as: art therapy, massage therapy, pet therapy, etc…
- Two home-like care settings available for 24-hour care and GIP
- Offer extensive bereavement services including an annual Family Bereavement Camp
- 24/7 care and admissions available
