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Next Reply: Re:Virtual Pall Care Unit
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Post Virtual Pall Care Unit
Author: LauraLathrop
Date: Mar 19, 2008 1:55 pm
Great, thought provoking presentation. Thank you.
Point to clarify: the deaths while in the PC beds are included in the hospital mortality rate?
Question: what is the reason that you do not convert the hospice appropriate pts while in hospital to hospice?
Replies: order by [Date] [Author] [Subject]
Re:Virtual Pall Care Unit (by CMartin on 03/20/2008)
I can't speak to the Virtual Unit clarification, but in Illinois, hospice is an outpatient benefit, and with currently only one exception in the state, not available in a hospice (resident) center (as exist in WI). Except for occasional short respite care stays, usually patients have to agree to not go back to the hospital for their life-threatening illness before a hospice will accept them. This effectively relegates hospice to home or nursing home. Referrals & initial contacts do occur in the hospital.
+ Re:Virtual Pall Care Unit (by Weissman on 03/20/2008)
Yes, our inpatient deaths are all included in hospital mortality data. We don't convert patients to hospice who we expect will die in the hospital because: a) most still have acute care needs b) bringing in hospice services adds a whole new group of health professionals to the patient and family at a time right before death--leads to considerable confusion c) our palliative care staff can provide the same services as hospice providers. For patients in whom we believe dying is not imminent, we refer to home or residential hospice when possible. David E. Weissman, MD Professor & Director of Palliative Care Medical College of Wisconsin/Froedtert Hospital Palliative Care Leadership Centers

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