Medical status and prognosis themselves are not adequate to ensure
hospice eligibility. Hospice is a choice, not a requirement.
While no hospice can refuse to admit a patient simply on the basis of
resuscitation (or code) status, the hospice may refuse if the primary
goal of care is life prolongation rather than palliative (focused on
enhancing quality of life). Patients may still receive some, usually
modest, life-prolonging therapy on hospice, but life prolongation should
not be the major goal of care.
Not addressing goals of care when making a hospice referral will delay
admission to hospice, as these must be understood prior to acceptance
to the program. (Hospices may be able to assist you in addressing these
goals).
