Section 131.17. Admission.

 

(1)   Program description. A hospice shall have a written description of its program that clearly describes the general patient and family needs that can be met by the hospice, and that includes written admission policies that includes all of the following:

(a) Clearly define the philosophy of the program.

(b) Limit admission to individuals with terminal illness as defined under s. DHS 131.13 (24) .

(c) Clearly define the hospice's limits in providing services and the settings for service provision.

(d) Ensure protection of patient rights.

(e) Provide clear information about services available for the prospective patient and his or her representative, if any.

(f) Allow an individual to receive hospice services whether or not the individual has executed an advance directive.

(2)   Program explanation.

(a) A hospice employee shall inform the person and his or her representative, if any, of admission policies under sub. (1) .

(3)   Initial determination.

(a) The hospice employee shall, based on the needs described by the person seeking admission or that person's representative, if any, or both, make an initial determination as to whether or not the hospice is generally able to meet those needs.

(b) If the hospice employee determines that the hospice does not have the general capability to provide the needed services, the hospice may not admit the person but rather shall suggest to the referring source alternative programs that may meet the described needs.

(4)   Patient acknowledgement and hospice acceptance. The person seeking admission to the hospice shall be recognized as being admitted after:

(a) Completion of the assessment under sub. (3) .

(b) Completion of a service agreement in which:

1. The person or the person's representative, if any, acknowledges, in writing, that he or she has been informed about admission policies and services.

2. The hospice agrees to provide care for the person.

3. The person or the person's representative, if any, authorizes services in writing.

(5)   Prohibition. Any person determined not to have a terminal illness as defined under s. DHS 131.13 (24) may not be admitted to the hospice.

History: CR 10-034 : cr. Register September 2010 No. 657 , eff. 10-1-10.