Inpatient Care

Advanced Hospice Care When Symptoms Can No Longer Be Managed at Home

General Inpatient Care provides short-term, intensive medical support in a controlled setting to stabilize severe symptoms and restore comfort.

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What Is General Inpatient Care?

General Inpatient Care (GIP) is a level of hospice care provided when a patient’s symptoms cannot be effectively managed in their current living environment.

This level of care is delivered in a licensed facility, such as:

• Hospice inpatient unit

• Hospital

• Skilled nursing facility (when appropriate arrangements are in place)
  
  

The goal is to provide intensive symptom control in a supervised clinical setting until the patient can return to a lower level of care.

When Is GIP Needed?

GIP is initiated during periods of uncontrolled or complex symptoms, including:

• Severe, unmanageable pain

• Acute respiratory distress

• Uncontrolled agitation or delirium

• Persistent nausea or vomiting not responding to treatment

• Complex wound or symptom management requiring continuous clinical oversight

This level is appropriate only when these symptoms cannot be safely managed at home or in the community setting.

What Services Are Included?

Clinical Services

• Skilled nursing visits for symptom and medication management

• Pain and comfort care planning

• Medication oversight

• Home Health Aide assistance

• Medical Social Worker support

• Spiritual counseling

Support Services

Additional Support

• Volunteer services

• Durable medical equipment (DME)

• Medical supplies related to the terminal diagnosis

Where Is General Inpatient Care Provided?

GIP is delivered in approved healthcare settings:

• Hospice inpatient facilities

• Hospitals

• Skilled nursing facilities with hospice contracts

Care is coordinated between the hospice team and the facility.

How Long Does GIP Last?

GIP is short-term and reassessed daily:

• Provided only while symptoms remain uncontrolled

• Discontinued once symptoms are stabilized

• Patient is transitioned back to Routine Home Care or another appropriate level

Who Qualifies for General Inpatient Care?

Patients qualify when they:

• Are experiencing acute, uncontrolled symptoms

• Require intensive medical management that cannot be provided at home

• Meet criteria for medical necessity under hospice guidelines

Care Team Involved

Care is coordinated by the hospice interdisciplinary team:

• Physician / Medical Director

• Registered Nurses (facility-based care)

• Hospice Case Manager

• Social Worker

• Spiritual Counselor

All care decisions are guided through the Interdisciplinary Group (IDG) and Plan of Care.

Understanding Inpatient Care Services

You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone

Our care team is here to guide you every step of the way with compassion, clarity, and immediate support.

• 24/7 access to real people, not call centers
• Immediate admission support and coordination
• Compassionate guidance for families and patients