Hospice for End Stage Renal Disease
Patients with end-stage renal disease, or end-stage kidney disease, need specialized care during their final stages of life. Hospice care for renal disease focuses on maintaining the highest quality of life in the last days, weeks, or months by offering symptom management, assistance with daily tasks, emotional support, and relief for primary caregivers.
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Hospice should not be seen as giving up on life, but rather as a way to approach the end of life with dignity. The goal is not to speed up death, but to ensure the patient remains comfortable and experiences an improved quality of life during the final stages of kidney disease
End-stage kidney disease, or renal disease, occurs when the kidneys are severely damaged to the point that the patient can no longer survive without dialysis or a kidney transplant. If a patient decides to stop dialysis treatments, St. Catherine's Healthcare offers supportive care to manage symptoms and ensure comfort during the final stages of kidney failure.
Patients with end-stage renal disease are eligible for hospice care. Please refer to the list below for the criteria and requirements for renal failure hospice care.
Renal failure hospice criteria:
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Creatinine clearance of <10cc/min (<15cc/min for diabetics) AND serum creatinine >8.0 mg/dl (>6.0 mg/dl for diabetics)
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Uremia with obtundation
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Nausea/Vomiting
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Patient has chosen not to have renal dialysis
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Intractable hyperkalemia
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Hepatorenal syndrome
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Structural and functional impairments
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Platelet count <25,000
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Comorbid and secondary conditions contribute to terminal prognosis
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Pruritus
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Self-care deficits
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Activity limitations
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Uremic pericarditis
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Anorexia
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Albumin <3.5 gm/dl
When to call Hospice.​​
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Our skilled team of nurses, chaplains, aides, social workers, and other healthcare professionals provide support to both patients and their families. Patients who meet the hospice criteria for renal disease can receive care at home, in an inpatient facility, a hospital, or any place the patient considers home.
For more information or to request a hospice consultation, please contact us at 832-328-8787.
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Renal Disease Hospice Eligibility Criteria
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Hospice care organizations deliver services wherever the patient resides, which may include the patient's home, a family member’s home, or an assisted living facility. In some cases, hospice services can also be available in a nursing home or medical facility during a short hospital stay.
One of the key goals of hospice care is to ensure the patient is comfortable during the end-of-life stage, and allowing the patient to remain in a familiar environment can support this.
Hospice care providers make regular visits to the patient’s home, with different members of the care team scheduling visits on various days throughout the week.
Where Hospice Services Are Provided
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