Referral/Intake Process

1. Initial referral is made. 

• By Physician – verbal order will be taken.  If the referring physician is not the primary care physician (PCP), the PCP will be contacted by Hospice of Hilo.  If patient is in Hilo Medical Center, please fax the patient’s face sheet and hospice order to Hospice 969-4863.

• Home Care Agency (i.e.: Home Health, Services for Seniors) – referral will be faxed to PCP for review and signature.

• Patient/Family/Caregiver/Friend – Referral will be taken and faxed to PCP for review and signature.  We do encourage family and friends to contact the PCP before making their referral.

2. Patient/Family contacted for Intake Meeting.

• An intake meeting is where the Hospice Philosophy and Services are explained to patients and family.  If they are interested, a medical record release is signed.

3. Medical Records are copied for Hilo Medical Center chart and/or requested from PCP and other physicians involved in care if needed.

4. When Records are received they are reviewed by Hospice Medical Director for appropriateness of Hospice Services and level of care.

• If appropriate, Hospice will contact the patient/family to schedule admission.  PCP will be contacted with admission date.

• If not appropriate, Hospice will contact PCP to discuss or gather additional information if needed.  Patient and Family will also be contacted about decision and, if needed, be given information about other community resources.

Levels of Hospice Care

• Routine Home Care: Comprehensive hospice care provided in a patient’s home.  Hospice of Hilo is responsible for all care visits, equipment, supplies, and medications necessary for managing the terminal illness.
  
  Provided in Patient’s home, ICF level long-term care/nursing home facility or Hospice residential beds.  (Hospice benefit does not cover room & board fees for facility patients or Hospice residential bed.)
  
  
• General Inpatient Care: Offered if the severity of the patient’s physical condition prevents palliative care from being provided in the home.  The patient is moved to an in-patient setting for better monitoring and control of physical symptoms.
  
  Provided in a contracted hospital.  Hospice continues to manage care in coordination with patient’s primary physician; who must have hospital privileges.
  
  
• In-Patient Respite Care: In the event the family becomes fatigued, or other  situations arise which would benefit from the patient’s removal from the home for a short period of time, In-Patient Respite Care may be provided.
  
  Provided in a contracted hospital in coordination with the primary  physician.  This level of care is limited to 5 days per Hospice benefit period.
  
  
• Continuous Care in the Home:  The need for Continuous Care is indicated for patients who are: in medical crisis; the patient/family wishes that the patient remain at home; or moving the patient would negatively affect symptom control.  Care is provided by qualified Hospice personnel up to 24 hours on a continuous basis for short time frames only.

Questions?  Please call Hospice of Hilo at (808) 969-1733
or email hospice@hospiceofhilo.org.

It is our mission to be an integral part of the community, providing compassionate, quality end-of-life care through support, counseling and education.