At times, a hospitalized patient may reach a point where they need a different type of care than what the medical team is providing. Palliative care is specialized care for patients who have a serious illness, a combination of chronic illnesses, or an incurable illness who are undergoing treatment.

We have two goals when providing palliative care. Our first goal is to improve any uncomfortable symptoms a patient may be experiencing. The second goal is to ensure that our patients and families understand everything about the patient’s illness and hospitalization. As a result, they can make informed decisions about future medical care.

Our palliative care specialists have advanced training in the treatment of all types of symptoms. This includes different types of pain, shortness of breath, anxiety, nausea and fatigue. Often, our palliative care specialists can provide measures to address the more complicated symptoms associated with chronic or serious illness. In many cases, they can refer a patient to a home palliative care program that will continue symptom management following discharge.

What We Treat with Palliative Care

Our palliative care providers have broad knowledge about all types of illness. This can include heart disease, heart failure, COPD, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, kidney disease and dialysis, and liver disease among others. They can combine this with input from other physicians to help patients and families make sense of all the information they receive during a hospitalization. We also recognize that this hospitalization may impact many aspects of a patient’s life. Thus, we can act as a sounding board for concerns regarding plans following discharge.

Often patients or families believe that palliative care equals hospice care. This is not true.

We see many patients who are not appropriate for hospice but do need help with symptom management and support so they can continue to live their very best life. At times we do see patients who may be appropriate for hospice and, if so, will have an honest and open conversation with them and their families to discuss this option.

Ultimately, palliative care providers seek to interact with our patients and families with respect and compassion, improve the comfort of our patients, and offer information and support to them and their families.

Please ask your hospital team for palliative care if you think we could be of help to you or your family.