Description The National Home and Hospice Care Survey (NHHCS) is a continuing series of surveys of home and hospice care agencies in the United States. Information was collected about agencies that provide home and hospice care and about their current patients and discharges. The NHHCS is based on a probability sample of home health agencies and hospices. The survey includes all agencies that are licensed or certified (Medicare of Medicaid). Home health agencies and hospices are usually defined in terms of the type of care they provide. Home health care is provided to individuals and families in their place of residence for the purpose of promoting, maintaining, or restoring health or for maximizing the level of independence while minimizing the effects of disability and illness, including terminal illness. Hospice care is defined as a program of palliative and supportive care services providing physical, psychological, social, and spiritual care for dying persons, their families, and other loved ones. Hospice services are available in both home and inpatient settings. Data are collected through personal interviews with administrators and staff. Data are collected on referral and length of service, diagnoses, number of visits, patient charges, health status, reason for discharge, and types of services provided.
This page last reviewed
January 11, 2007
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