Winchester, VA, June 27, 2022—Blue Ridge Hospice announces the launch of its 24/7/365 Toll-Free Support Line at 1-833-898-0714 or (540) 313-9230 local. Healthcare providers, case managers, nursing home staff, patients, and patients’ caregivers or families are encouraged to make referrals or get someone admitted when the time is right for hospice.
“A common misconception about Blue Ridge Hospice is that we only operate during regular doctor’s office business hours—that’s not true,” says Chief Business Development Officer Jason Parsons. “We are available around the clock, 365 days a year. Day or night, someone right here in the northern Shenandoah Valley—and not at a call center a thousand miles away—will answer your call and assist you if you pick up the phone and reach out.”
The support line is intended to get patients admitted to hospice sooner and faster. It is also meant to convey and reinforce the message that anyone can refer a patient to hospice. “Another common misconception about hospice is that a physician has to refer a patient to hospice,” says Nancy Morse, Clinical Manager of Admissions at Blue Ridge Hospice. “Even medical professionals don’t always realize that literally anyone can refer someone to hospice. If you are thinking about us, call us. You don’t even have to be sure whether the patient or your loved one is eligible for hospice—we’ll help you sort that out. It’s our job.”
“Fact is that 39% of Blue Ridge Hospice’s patients are in our care for only 7 days or fewer. Similarly, 61% of our patients receive care for 30 days or fewer. That is because patients don’t come to us soon enough,” says Jennifer Martin, Chief Clinical Officer with Blue Ridge Hospice. “Someone with a terminal illness is eligible for the hospice benefit if their life expectancy is six months or less. There is so much we can do for our patients and families in those six months, but most often we aren’t brought in until the end.
“It just breaks my heart. We’d really like to see those numbers change,” Martin added. “The 24/7/365 Support Line should make it clear that we are here and we are ready to help.”
The 24/7/365 Toll-Free Support Line rings into Blue Ridge Hospice’s admissions department or reaches on-call staff. Blue Ridge Hospice can admit patients anytime of day. The admission process generally takes about four hours, so the goal is to admit new patients who are eligible within 24 hours. If a patient’s or loved one’s health is declining, curative efforts have been exhausted, their pain is out of control, they are losing weight, and/or experiencing more frequent emergency room visits or hospitalizations, it may be time to consider Blue Ridge Hospice. “Don’t wait,” urges Nancy Morse. “The sooner you reach out, the more we can do to help.”
About Blue Ridge Hospice
Blue Ridge Hospice is a community-based, not-for-profit serious illness and end-of-life care provider that has been serving friends and neighbors across the northern Shenandoah Valley since 1981. With a mission of “brightening life’s journey with quality and compassionate care for all whom we are privileged to serve,” Blue Ridge Hospice serves Winchester City and the northern Virginia counties of Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Loudoun, Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah, and Warren. Accredited by The Joint Commission, Blue Ridge Hospice consistently exceeds the national averages for quality as reported on Medicare’s Hospice Compare website. Contact us to learn more about Blue Ridge Hospice, or call 540-313-9200.
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