PDF version - National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization

cases of an anticipated weather emergency, the number of beds allocated
for use by home hospice patients is increased. Given this practice, the
coordination and handoff of patients is predictably less complex. So, even
though transfers into the inpatient setting happen with regularity, this
design supports the home hospice RN case manager in carrying a larger
caseload.
Other Factors Impacting Caseloads
When assessing other factors that may impact staffing caseloads for
the HHC teams, one team, in particular, stands out as different from
the others. The Central team cares for patients in Baltimore City and
the edges of the surrounding counties and, as shown in Worksheet 2
below, the complexity of psychosocial issues encountered by this team
(as reflected by the directional indicator) suggests that social workers
should carry smaller caseloads. The issue of staff safety is also more
commonplace for this team (also reflected by the directional indicator).
Given that more time is required for the coordination of joint visits and/
or the utilization of escort services, it was determined that all clinical
disciplines on the Baltimore Central team should carry slightly smaller
case loads.
Other Factors to Consider
for Staffing Caseloads
Central East West Howard Harvard
GIP and Continuous Care Variables + + + + +
Multiple Non-core Roles for IDT + + + + +
Facility-based Variables
(routine home care)
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Primary Care Team Models + + + + +
Provision of Community Services + + + + +
Psychosocial Issues:
High Social Complexity
- + + + +
Rate of Growth = = = = =
Specialty Programs + + + + +
Spiritual Care Support Model +/- +/- +/- +/- +/-
Staff Safety: Require Multiple Staff
or Escorts/Visits
- = = = =
Travel Time: Increased = = = - -
Volunteer Utilization + + + + +
Other
The complexity of
psychosocial issues…
suggested the social
workers should
carry smaller
caseloads.
continued on next page
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