When is it time for hospice care for your patient?
Our patients and families often tell us they wish they had known about and chosen hospice services sooner. The idea that hospice care is only for the last few days or weeks of life is a common misunderstanding. Patients and families can really benefit most when they have hospice for the final months of life. Hospice care can help assure quality of life by providing personalized care from medical professionals, keeping patients comfortable, supporting family caregivers and delivering all these services directly to your home.
Clinical Referral Criteria
Consider hospice referral when patients meet general and/or disease-specific indicators. Please contact us at 888.449.4121 to discuss whether hospice support may appropriate for them.
General Indicators:
- Prognosis of six months or less if disease follows expected trajectory.
- Functional decline: ECOG 3-4, Karnofsky ≤50%, Palliative Performance Scale ≤50%.
- Nutritional decline: >10% weight loss over 6 months, albumin <2.5 g/dL.
- Multiple hospitalizations (≥3 in 6 months) despite optimal management.
- Patient/family expressing preference for comfort-focused care.
Disease-Specific Examples:
- Cancer: Disease progression despite treatment, declining performance status.
- Heart Failure: NYHA Class IV symptoms, ejection fraction <20%, recurrent hospitalizations.
- COPD: FEV1 <30% predicted, oxygen dependence, cor pulmonale.
- Dementia: FAST 7A or beyond, recurrent infections, nutritional compromise.
- Renal Disease: Creatinine clearance <15 mL/min declining dialysis.
Can we call Ohio’s Hospice even if we don’t think it’s time?
Absolutely. An important part of our mission is providing guidance about any end-of-life care issue, regardless of whether they are an Ohio’s Hospice patient. If it appears that hospice care would be beneficial for your patient, we are happy to discuss care with you.
To make a referral, call: 888.449.4121
We create personalized plans of care. Care may look different for each patient.
