HOPE Tool Certificate Program

The HOPE Certificate Program will provide an in-depth overview of the 'Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation' (HOPE) tool, a vital instrument designed to improve quality care in hospice settings.

Please note: This course is included in the WellSky Learning Center LMS Subscription. For more information about subscriptions, Click HERE. 

Upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive a certificate of completion and a micro-credential that can be used on email signatures and professional profiles.  This valuable certificate will:

• Enhance professional credibility: Demonstrate expertise in using the HOPE tool and its role in improving hospice care.
• Boost confidence: Provide the knowledge and skills necessary to confidently implement and utilize the HOPE tool within their respective roles.
• Facilitate professional development: Serve as a valuable addition to resumes and professional portfolios.

Attendees will learn how HOPE captures standardized patient-level data through in-person assessments and how HOPE enhances care planning through identifying clinical, spiritual, psychosocial, and emotional needs across the hospice stay. Additionally, the HOPE tool will enable hospices to track patient outcomes, ensure compliance and provide safe practice.

Practical examples and best practices will be shared to help hospice teams implement HOPE effectively, ultimately leading to better patient-centered care and improved hospice performance.

This presentation is ideal for hospice nurses, members of the IDT, medical directors, and compliance professionals who are dedicated to improving care quality and operational efficiency."

Modules Included in the Training Series:

Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE) Tool: 

1. Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE) Tool: A New Beginning - Part I
2. Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE) Tool: A New Beginning - Part II
3. Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE) Tool: The Basics and Beyond - Part III
4. Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE) Tool: The Basics and Beyond - Part IV
5. Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE) Tool: The Basics and Beyond - Part V 
6. Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE) Tool: The Basics and Beyond - Part VI

HOPE (Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation):

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) developed the new patient assessment tool to replace the Hospice item Set (HIS) as part of the HQRP. HOPE was finalized in the in the FY 2025 Hospice Wage Index Final Rule (CMS-1810-F).  To access the FY2025 Hospice Final Rule, use this link: Hospice Final Rule: Hospice Regulations and Notices | CMS.

HOPE will provide assessment-based quality data to enhance the HQRP through standardized data collection, provide a better understanding of patient care needs, contribute to the patient’s plan of care, and provide additional clinical data that could inform future payment refinements. CMS retained key items from the HIS in HOPE v1.0 and will continue to collect information to inform the Comprehensive Assessment at Admission (CBE #3235) while gathering additional data to support new quality measures. 

   Objectives of HOPE

CMS finalized two HOPE-based quality measures. Additional quality measures may be developed in the future based on data elements added to future versions of the tool. More information about the development of quality measures can be found on the Quality Measure Development page. 

HOPE is expected to provide hospices with information to help them identify opportunities to adjust their practices and improve patient- and agency-level decisions about the care they provide. Furthermore, patients and their families will be more informed about the hospice they choose based on potential public reporting of the HOPE assessment-based quality measures.