CMS SOM App. M, Tag L522

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.)

Interpretive Guidelines §418.54(a)

The purpose of the initial assessment is to gather the critical information necessary to

treat the patient/family’s immediate care needs. The assessment needs to take place in

the location where hospice services are being delivered. The initial assessment is not a

“meet and greet” visit whereby the hospice introduces itself to the patient/family and

begins to evaluate the patient’s interest in and appropriateness for hospice care. It must

assess the patient’s immediate physical, psychosocial, emotional and spiritual status

related to the terminal illness and related conditions. The initial assessment is necessary

to gather the essential information necessary to begin the plan of care and provide the

immediate necessary care and services.

The RN must conduct this initial assessment. Hospices may choose to send a social

worker or other discipline along with the RN to complete the initial assessment.

Hospices are free to choose their own method for documenting the initial assessment.