Articles

Disease-Specific Guidelines for Hospice Eligibility

ALS

In end-stage ALS, two factors are critical in determining prognosis: ability to breathe and ability to swallow.

Alzheimer’s and Dementia

When patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s can no longer move around, get dressed, bathe, or speak, they may be eligible for hospice care.

COPD and Lung Disease

One of the major characteristics that a COPD patient may be hospice-eligible is dyspnea at rest or with minimal exertion.

Heart Disease

Hospice care for heart disease addresses a wide range of symptoms, including shortness of breath, chest pain, weakness, functional decline and the management of fluid status.

HIV and AIDS

Low CD4 counts, decreased performance on the KPS scale, and documentation of certain factors are all signs that your HIV/AIDS patient may be ready for hospice.

Liver Disease

Liver disease patients may be appropriate for hospice care if they have persistent symptoms of hepatic failure, such as ascites, hepatic encephalopathy or recurrent varicella bleeding, and meet other guidelines.

Neurological Disease

Neurological diseases such as coma, stroke, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis are life-altering conditions that can lead to permanent deterioration of the nervous system.

Oncology

In oncology, the biggest predictor of hospice eligibility is the patient’s functional status, which is determined by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scale or the Palliative Performance Scale (PPS).

Renal Disease

More patients and families are choosing not to start or to withdraw dialysis for multiple reasons, particularly in patients older than 60 years.

Sepsis and Concomitant End-Stage Disease

Sepsis is one of the most deadly U.S. conditions, with about 250,000 deaths each year. The estimated annual cost of sepsis readmissions is more than $3.5 billion.