449.0115 - “Hospice care” defined.

449.0115  “Hospice care” defined.

1.  “Hospice care” means a centrally administered program of palliative services and supportive services provided by an interdisciplinary team directed by a physician. The program includes the provision of physical, psychological, custodial and spiritual care for persons who are terminally ill and their families. The care may be provided in the home, at a residential facility or at a medical facility at any time of the day or night. The term includes the supportive care and services provided to the family after the patient dies.

2.  As used in this section:

(a) “Family” includes the immediate family, the person who primarily cared for the patient and other persons with significant personal ties to the patient, whether or not related by blood.

(b) “Interdisciplinary team” means a group of persons who work collectively to meet the special needs of terminally ill patients and their families and includes such persons as a physician, registered nurse, social worker, member of the clergy and trained volunteer.

(Added to NRS by 1979, 1112; A 1985, 1737; 1989, 1035; 2005, 485)