§ 418.54 Condition of participation: Initial and comprehensive assessment of the patient.

The hospice must conduct and document in writing a patient-specific comprehensive assessment that identifies the patient's need for hospice care and services, and the patient's need for physical, psychosocial, emotional, and spiritual care. This assessment includes all areas of hospice care related to the palliation and management of the terminal illness and related conditions.

(a) Standard: Initial assessment. The hospice registered nurse must complete an initial assessment within 48 hours after the election of hospice care in accordance with § 418.24 is complete (unless the physician, patient, or representative requests that the initial assessment be completed in less than 48 hours.)

(b) Standard: Timeframe for completion of the comprehensive assessment. The hospice interdisciplinary group, in consultation with the individual's attending physician (if any), must complete the comprehensive assessment no later than 5 calendar days after the election of hospice care in accordance with § 418.24.