Choosing hospice does not mean that a patient can never receive care in a hospital. There may be situations when a patient needs hospital care, and families should understand how a hospital visit or admission may affect hospice services.
Can Someone on Hospice Go to the Hospital?
Yes. A hospice patient may go to the hospital when hospital-level care is needed.
Whenever possible, families should contact the hospice team before going to the hospital. The hospice team can help assess the situation, communicate with the hospital, and explain how the hospital visit may affect the patient’s hospice plan of care.
If an emergency occurs, seek appropriate emergency medical attention first and notify the hospice team as soon as possible.
What Happens If a Hospice Patient Needs Hospital Care?
What happens depends on the patient’s condition, the reason for the hospital visit, the patient’s goals, and the existing hospice plan of care.
The hospice team may be able to provide support without a hospital visit, depending on the situation. In other circumstances, hospital evaluation or treatment may be appropriate.
The hospice team can help the patient and family understand their options and coordinate with other healthcare professionals when hospital care is needed.
Does Going to the Hospital Mean Hospice Has Ended?
Not necessarily.
A hospital visit does not automatically mean that a patient has permanently left hospice. However, hospitalization and other treatment decisions can affect the patient’s hospice plan of care and coverage.
Families should speak with the hospice team as soon as possible so they understand what is happening and whether any changes to hospice services are needed.
What If the Patient Wants Treatment That Is Not Part of the Hospice Plan?
Hospice care is centered on comfort and quality of life for patients with a terminal illness. If a patient or family is considering treatment or hospitalization that is not consistent with the current hospice plan of care, they should discuss the situation with the hospice team.
The team can explain how the requested treatment may relate to the patient’s hospice care and what options may be available.
If a patient chooses to revoke hospice in order to pursue other treatment or care, the hospice team can explain the process and help with the transition.
What Should Families Do Before Going to the Hospital?
When possible:
- Contact the hospice team and explain what is happening.
- Follow the hospice team’s guidance regarding the patient’s immediate care needs.
- Tell hospital staff that the patient is receiving hospice care.
- Provide information about the patient’s medications and current plan of care.
- Discuss any proposed treatments or hospital admission with the hospice team.
In an emergency, families should seek emergency medical care and contact the hospice team as soon as reasonably possible.
Talk With the APCH Care Team
If you are unsure whether your loved one needs to go to the hospital, contact Angel Palliative Care & Hospice, Inc. The hospice team can help you understand the patient’s current plan of care and discuss what support may be available.
Phone: 650-590-2530
