Oak Ridges Hospice (ORH) Admission Information

for External Healthcare Providers

Oak Ridges Hospice welcomes referrals to our 10-bed private room, home-like hospice residence for individuals living with a life-limiting illness, whose illness trajectory would benefit from our 24-hour care team of expert palliative / end-of-life care Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, Personal Support Workers and volunteers.

Who is suitable for hospice residence?

Admission Eligibility Criteria:

(a)  Valid OHIP (exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis).

(b)  The client has a life-limiting illness

(c)   Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) of 30% or less, OR prognosis of less than 2 months.

(d)  Palliative Prognostic Index (PPI) greater than 4

(e)  Agree to a “Do Not Resuscitate status” (DNR)

(f)   Established plan of care, with no further investigations planned

(g)  Identified Substitute Decision Maker (SDM) or signed Power of Attorney (POA)

(h)  Care can be safely managed in a home-like environment. The client does not require a secure unit or physical restraints.

(i) Client does not require airborne isolation

(j) The client does not have an active pre-set date for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD).

(k) Priority is given to clients of an/or those with family residing in Durham Region.

*Please note there is one type of admission to ORH and that is to receive end-of-life care; we are not accepting respite admissions.

Who can make the referral?

All health care providers can make a referral to Oak Ridges Hospice. All referrals require a referral from the Most Responsible Physician (MRP) such as Palliative/Family Physician to determine if a client is appropriate for hospice admission. All referrals must have a direct contact for MRP to MRP handover.  

How do I make a referral?

Please complete the Oak Ridges Hospice Intake Form on our website.

If you have any questions regarding intake, please email intake@oakridgeshospice.com

What happens after A referral has been made?

After a referral has been made, the Intake Coordinator will connect with the client and/or client’s Substitute Decision Maker (SDM) or Power of Attorney (POA) for Personal Care within 1 to 3 business days. The Intake Coordinator will review the client’s case and identify if the client qualifies for a Suitability Assessment and arrange an appointment. If a client doesn’t qualify for a Suitability Assessment, the client will be placed on our Waitlist. Once on our waitlist, the Intake Coordinator will continue to follow up on the client until they meet hospice criteria.

What is a suitability assessment?

A Suitability Assessment is an appointment conducted by the Intake Coordinator with the client and/or Substitute Decision Maker (SDM) or Power of Attorney (POA). These appointments can take approximately 1 hour in length. During this appointment, the Intake Coordinator will review the framework and philosophy of care at Oak Ridges Hospice. This tool is used by our Intake Coordinator to determine if the client meets hospice criteria for admission. The assessment identifies the client’s care needs and if they can be met safely in a home-like environment. During this appointment, the Intake Coordinator will answer any questions or concerns the individual, family or caregiver(s) may have. The Intake Coordinator will require proof of Do Not Resuscitate Form, Power of Attorney paperwork, visualization of Health Card, Insurance and COVID-19 vaccination (if applicable) and all medications in their original containers during visit.

What happens after a suitability assessment?

The Intake Coordinator will determine if the client meets admission criteria. A bed offer will be made on a priority basis. If the individual doesn’t meet criteria, the client will remain on the Waitlist.

For any inquiries or questions about Oak Ridges Hospice admission process, please contact the Intake Coordinator at 905-922-5722 during Monday to Friday business hours or email intake@oakridgeshospice.com

Bed offers

Bed offers will be made post intake assessment to the referral source.

Wait List

In the event there is no bed availability at the time of the referral, and the referral meets admission criteria, the referral will be added to the waitlist. A bed offer will be made next on a priority basis.

Updates on status changes or transfers to another facility are appreciated.

Please notify us at 905-922-5722.

All referrals require the following documentation faxed to 289-274-9307 consider client for hospice admission:

(a)              Medical information such as medical/palliative notes and/or diagnostic imaging concerning client diagnosis and medical history

(b)             Palliative Performance Scale.

(c)            Anticipated prognosis/urgency of admission

(d)           Information on treatments (if applicable)

(e)             Identification of primary languages

(f)           Information on health care providers involved in the client’s care. For example: Community nursing agency

(g)          Care protocols (example: wound drainage care, central line/port care)

(h) Infection control measures (if applicable). Please note hospice can’t accommodate COVID-19 positive client admissions or airborne precautions

(i) Clients require completion of a Do Not Resuscitate Form.

(j) Identification of the Substitute Decision Maker (SDM)/Power of Attorney (POA)

(k) Medication list (if available)