Hospice Eligibility Criteria for Kidney Disease

Kidney disease can become life-limiting when the kidneys can no longer effectively remove waste and excess fluid from the body. Hospice may be appropriate when a patient has advanced or end-stage kidney disease, has a life expectancy of six months or less if the illness follows its expected course, and chooses care focused on comfort rather than life-prolonging treatment.

Understanding the hospice criteria for renal or kidney disease can help patients and families determine when it may be time to request an evaluation and discuss available support.

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End-stage renal and kidney disease hospice criteria

A patient with advanced kidney disease or renal failure may qualify for hospice when their condition has significantly progressed and treatment is no longer effective, desired, or consistent with their goals of care.

Indicators that may support hospice eligibility include:

Desire to stop or forego dialysis
Creatinine clearance < 15-20 cc/min orserum creatinine > 6 mg/dL
Cachexia or serum albumin < 3.5 gm/dL
Uremia
Hyperkalemia
Uremic pericarditis
Fluid overload or oliguria
Hepatorenal syndrome
GI bleeding, DIC or platelets < 25,000
Infection such as HIV or sepsis
Other comorbid disease such as heart, liver or chronic lung disease that may shorten survival
Desire not to be hospitalized if the illness worsens
Difficulty with feeding, ambulation, continence, transfer, bathing, or dressing

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When to consider hospice for kidney disease?

Consider requesting a hospice evaluation when kidney disease is having a greater impact on daily life and the focus of care is beginning to shift. This may be the case when treatment is becoming more burdensome, recovery after health setbacks is taking longer, or the patient prefers to prioritize comfort over continued hospital-based care.

A hospice evaluation can help patients and families understand whether hospice is appropriate, what services may be available, and what to expect as the disease progresses.

How Samaritan can help kidney disease patients

Samaritan provides hospice care focused on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients with advanced kidney disease and their families. Care may include symptom management, nursing support, medications and medical equipment related to the terminal illness, caregiver education, emotional and spiritual support, and bereavement services.

If you are unsure whether you or a loved one meets the hospice criteria for renal failure or kidney disease, contact Samaritan to request an evaluation and learn more about available care options.

Learn more about the comfort-focused care available for patients and families .

(856) 596-1600

Hospice Eligibility Criteria for Kidney Disease

End-stage renal and kidney disease hospice criteria

When to consider hospice for kidney disease?

How Samaritan can help kidney disease patients

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