When to Refer Patients to Hospice

Our services are palliative in nature which means that our expertise is in symptom control and maximizing quality of life, when aggressive curative treatment is either no longer an option or desired.

A referral to Hospice of the North Coast can come directly from the patient or family, physicians, friends, clergy or any other person who knows the patient in a professional or personal manner. Once a referral has been made the patient's primary physician is contacted to ascertain whether or not he or she believes that the patient meets the appropriate criteria. If so, the physician will give an order for hospice care.

Once the order is received we will then contact the patient/family to schedule a date and time when our assessment team, which consists of a nurse and social worker, will go to the home, or a person's place of residence, to explain our services. If the patient/family desires hospice services and if the patient is appropriate for care, our services will then be initiated.

Hospice of the North Coast is a community based, non-profit agency that serves patients north through Oceanside and Camp Pendleton, south to Del Mar, and east to Vista and San Marcos, Escondido, including Rancho Santa Fe. We focus our services within these boundaries so that we can maintain the highest level of care and support for our patients and families.

For more information, please contact Mary Keenan, RN, Director of Patient Care Services at 760.431.4100.