Treatment in the Hospice House
Treatment in the hospice house or inpatient care is for patients requiring short-term symptom management, in the last few days of life, or electing respite care. Inpatient stays are usually only a few days. Upon admission, a thorough assessment is completed by the physician, nurse, social worker, and chaplain assigned to the case. The goal of an inpatient stay is to stabilize symptoms and return the patient to their home.>
Most patients whom are admitted to the inpatient unit come from a hospital or home when end-of-life symptoms are too complex to be managed in the home setting. Patients electing treatment in the hospice house must meet and continue to meet inpatient care criteria in order to remain in the inpatient unit.>
In the event a terminal patient requires more care than can be managed in the home, but is not acutely ill, the hospice team can assist with finding a safe placement of the patient’s choice. The staff at River Region Hospice does not own or recommend any specific residential facility.>
Inpatient Admission Criteria>
The following criteria assist in determining appropriate admission to the River Region Hospice House:>
- Imminent Death – signs and symptoms of the dying process; terminal restlessness; hyperthermia; et cetera>
- Agitation – caregiver unable to control patient; patient awake over 24 hours; initial medication ineffective; patient dangerous to self and/or others>
- Ascites – uncontrolled symptoms at home; abdominal discomfort; inability to sit upright; dependent edema; heartburn; dyspnea; titration of diuretics>
- Bleeding – large amount of intractable bleeding from any source; patient care interrupted due to bleeding>
- Cardiac Failure – acute angina with pain and dyspnea; pulmonary edema despite medication; dissecting aneurysm>
- Family/Caregiver Teaching – caregiver needs to learn new modality such as suctioning, drain care, colostomy care, post-op care, et cetera>
- Insomnia – ideology addressed due to symptoms, anxiety or depression; lower pain threshold; patient awake for more than 24 hours>
- Intestinal Obstruction – nausea; vomiting and intractable abdominal pain; no bowel movements in more than three days; watery, frequent stools>
- Mucositis – mouth pain with inflamed ulcers; unable to eat; unresponsive to medications>
- Nausea, Vomiting, and Diarrhea – intractable with current antiemetic or antidiarrhea regimen>
- Pain Control – intractable pain despite medication changes in use of protocol standards>
- Renal Failure – has discontinued dialysis; significant symptoms associated with electrolyte imbalance>
- Cough – uncontrollable respiratory secretions; persistent dry productive cough with evidence of symptoms such as anorexia, insomnia, musculoskeletal pain, rib fracture or exhaustion and syncope>
- Respite Care – caregiver emergency has arisen; caregiver relief; lasts for five days>
- Seizure – new onset seizure activity; uncontrolled convulsions; ineffective pharmacological interventions; caregiver unable to provide safe care and administer medications>
- Decubitus Ulcer or Wound Care – stage III or IV wounds associated with pain; excessive drainage; malodorous; disfiguring or requiring manual debridement>
Make a Referral
Do you know someone who would benefit from River Region Hospice? Click here to make a referral.
River Region Hospice House
Choose treatment at your house or our free-standing home-like Hospice House.
Contact Us
507 Upstream Street
River Ridge, LA 70123
Referral Line: 504-739-1205
Fax: 504-739-3993
Email Us
Links & Resources
See a complete list of helpful hospice resources
Website content written by
Michael C. Clark, MSW, LCSW