Did You Know?

• Palliate means to cloak or cover, thereby controlling symptoms and addressing areas of suffering.
   
• The intention of Palliative Care is to achieve the best possible quality of life and relief of symptoms and suffering for patients and families affected by advanced progressive disease.
   
• Palliative Care is a PROGRAM
    Consult Services (Inpatient and Outpatient)
  • Palliative medicine physicians provide consultation for patients and their families throughout Saint Joseph's Hospital.
  • Palliative medicine physicians provide palliative consultation during clinic visits on an outpatient basis.
  • The palliative medicine physicians provide 24-hour coverage.
     
• Acute Palliative Care Unit
  • 11 Bed acute care unit located on 3 South
  • Provides a unique and special setting within the Hospital with private rooms, living room, kitchen, and garden room.
  • Patients are transferred to the unit from within the Hospital or are directly admitted for the specialized care provided by the Palliative Care team which includes:
    

    -Nursing	-Social Work	-Case Management
    -Dietitian	-Volunteer	-Child life
    -Music Therapy	-Spiritual Services	-Physical and Occupational  Therapy

  • The plan of care is individualized to meet patient and family needs.
  • Over 40 percent of patients on the palliative care unit are discharged.
  • Focus of care is on quality of life and holistic symptom managements.
     
• Palliative Care and Hospice are different services and agencies, yet they work together to serve patients and families with advanced and/or terminal disease.