Telehealth Admissions for Patients with Advanced Cancer

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with advanced illnesses who may be hospice-eligible are at a higher risk to have significantly worse outcomes if they become infected and are more likely to die in the hospital.

VITAS Healthcare is ready and committed to support the care of these patients. Our mobility-first platform supports telehealth for 24/7/365 admissions of your hospice-eligible patients.

Trust VITAS to ensure your patients’ care goals, wishes, and values are honored while helping to prevent unnecessary ED visits and hospital admissions.

Telehealth Admission Case Study:

MK, a 67-year-old male with advanced adenocarcinoma of the lung, was recently admitted to the hospital with nausea, vomiting, dehydration, and worsening pain (COVID-19 negative).

MK has requested to discontinue antitumor treatment and wants to go home. MK’s wife is having a hard time coping due to his uncontrolled symptoms and is apprehensive to allow visitors in their home due to COVID-19.

MK’s wife has an iPad and is willing to meet via FaceTime:

• VITAS admission nurse reviews MK’s and his wife’s care goals:
  • Remain at home and control symptoms of nausea and pain
• VITAS nurse assesses MK’s diet and bowel regimen to support the care plan to control his nausea, pain, and dehydration
• VITAS nurse performs a head-to-toe assessment with the wife’s help to gain a better understanding of MK’s symptoms, including pain, shortness of breath, cough, and anxiety
• MK’s wife also shows the VITAS nurse MK’s medication bottles; the nurse reconciles them with the medication list provided by the primary care physician
• VITAS nurse assesses the room where MK will spend the majority of his time to determine necessary HME to support safety and comfort
  • Orders electric hospital bed, wheelchair, walker, and bedside commode (the bathroom is a far walk) to help MK maintain independence and dignity
  • Orders O₂ and additional back-up tanks to honor the family’s request for limited visits from VITAS staff
• Coordinates with VITAS chaplain for MK to receive anointing of the sick, honoring his wishes since the priest is unable to visit the home

In an effort to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission, Congress and CMS are allowing healthcare providers to use telehealth to ensure safe, continued care and access to patients and families.