Hospice Referrals

Please consider the following information when collecting data regarding hospice referrals:

• Hospice referrals can be made by any provider involved in the patient’s care. It must be clear that the referral was made, not simply discussed. If no evidence of a referral exists, choose the answer option “no”. A discussion that results in a hospice referral is acceptable. Simply a discussion and no documentation of a referral to hospice is not sufficient.
• The referral does not need to be from the practice. It can be from outside the practice or from a hospital provider while the patient is hospitalized. Any referral is acceptable if we can find evidence of it in the chart.
• If the EMR states “hospice referral” in a way that indicates the referral was actually made, this is sufficient. It is not necessary to see the actual written referral if the documentation clearly indicates the hospice referral was placed.
• If a hospice consult takes place while the patient is hospitalized, this is sufficient to consider it a hospice referral. 

Please add to this thread if there is anything I have missed, and as always, we welcome your questions!