Inpatient Palliative Care Services
Palliative care is a special kind of caring — achieving comfort, improving quality of life and providing support for patients & caregivers.
Palliative care is a medical specialty that provides expertise in treating the pain and other symptoms of serious and life-threatening illnesses and in supporting the patient and family.
The goals of care include assuring comfort and helping the patient remain as active as possible.
What Services are Available?
Services vary depending on individual patient and family preferences:
- Treatment to relieve pain and other symptoms.
- Individual and family counseling.
- Emotional and spiritual support.
- Help in planning for care after the hospital.
- Assistance with treatment choices and decisions.
- Bereavement support and referral.
How Does Palliative Care Differ from Hospice Care?
Palliative Care Service is based in the hospital and can provide care during any
phase of a patient's illness, even during active treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation.
Team members can help with the transition to hospice care, if needed.
Who Provides the Care?
Palliative Care is provided by a specially trained, interdisciplinary team that includes physicians, nurses, social workers, spiritual support and care coordinators.
Additional services are available to patients who meet specific criteria, including those of a Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Speech/ Language Pathologist, Registered Dietician, Psychiatric Nurse and Pharmacist.
Will the Patient's Physicians Continue to be Involved?
Yes. The team provides consultation to the patient's regular physician who will continue to direct the patient's care.
Who Can Receive Services?
Palliative Care Service welcomes patients and family members who are facing a serious or life-threatening illness, regardless of diagnosis or ability to pay. Services are provided to inpatients and outpatients. A referral can be made at any point from diagnoses throughout the course of the illness.
How Long Can Patients be in the Palliative Care Unit?
As long as patient meets inpatient guidelines they may stay in the Palliative Care Unit. If the patient's physician, family and Palliative Care Team agree a patient is ready to go to another setting, this will be discussed and planned.
How Can Patients Receive Services?
A patient's physician or other hospital staff can refer the patient to Palliative Care Service. Patients and family members can also call to request services.
Can the Palliative Care Unit be Used as a Transition to Home?
Yes. This provides an excellent opportunity for patient and family to become familiar with Palliative Care and services, which continue at home.
More Information
Inpatient Palliative Care services are offered at St. Luke's Hospital. For more information, call 508-997-1515 Ext. 3186.
