Talking to patients and families about end-of-life decisions can be challenging.

Community Hospices Intake Coordinators can assist you with your discharge planning needs and meet the needs of your patients and families by scheduling a Nurse Liaison to:

• Evaluate the appropriateness of a patient for hospice services prior to discharge
• Present the hospice benefit to patients and families
• Assist in the discharge planning and coordinate home medical equipment, oxygen and medications required for a prompt discharge
• Start hospice services in the home setting within 24 hours of referral (in most instances)
• Transfer the patient to an inpatient hospice facility if pain and symptom management is required

Home health agencies do a good job at managing the skilled needs of patients. Patients with a terminal prognosis, however, require more services than traditional home health can provide. We encourage you to compare the benefits.