Palliative Care
 You may have heard of a new medical term - PALLIATIVE CARE (pronounced pah-lee-uh-tive). To palliate means to make comfortable by treating a person's symptoms from an illness.
WHAT is it?
Patient and family-centerd care that optimizes quality of life by anticipating, preventing, and treating suffering. Palliative care involves addressing physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual needs and to facilitate patient autonomy, access to information, and choice. The goals of palliative care are to improve the qauality of a chronically ill person's life and to support that person and their family during and after treatment.
WHY is it important?
It is important to provide these services to patients who have ongoing, serious illnesses. Palliative care programs can increase patient satisfaction and reduce hospital costs. The coordination of complex care and services can assist physicians and patients in setting treatment goals. Palliative care can enhance communication between patients, families, and healthcare professionals.
WHO can utilize palliative care service?
Any patient with any chronic illness can utilize palliative care services. These conditions can include:
WHERE are services provided?
Services can be provided by various agencies in whatever setting is apppropriate for the patient. A complete list of agencies providing palliative care is available through Clarion Hospital at 226-1320.
WHEN can services be provided?
Palliative care may be given at any time during a patient's illness. Unlike hospice care, palliative care can begin while a patient is receiving active medical treatment.
HOW can I find more?
Information or referrals can be made by contacting the following:
CLARION HOSPITAL
Jayne McCauley or Karen Griffith
226-1320
OFFICE STAFF, HOSPITAL STAFF, PHYSICIANS, FAMILY, FRIENDS, OR THE PATIENT CAN INITIATE REFERRALS.
Insurance coverage is variable and will be discussed with the patient and/or family.
REMEMBER.....................
1. Inpatient or outpatient referrals accepted
2. Any chronic illness
3. Patient may be receiving active medical treatment
Palliative care is not the same as hospice care, although hospice is a specialized form of palliative care.
|  |
|