Palliative Care
Overview
Palliative care takes a team approach to relieve suffering, preserve dignity and support the best quality of life. Palliative care is for anyone dealing with a serious illness, at any time, regardless of diagnosis, prognosis or treatment. Care is guided by the goals and expectations of the patient and family and by accepted standards of health care practice and palliative medicine. Care is focused on the whole person, offering assistance with physical, spiritual, emotional and cultural needs along with other appropriate care.
The Palliative Care Team
Members of the palliative care team include a physician, nurse, chaplain, social worker, case manager and pharmacist. Other professionals such as dieticians and physical, occupational and respiratory therapists may participate as well. The palliative care team meets with the patient and family to plan and implement a specialized plan of care based on the patient’s care goals.
Palliative care professionals work together with the patient’s existing doctors, nurses and other caregivers to provide:
• Expert treatment of pain and distressing symptoms
• Guidance with determining goals of care
• Help in interpreting the benefits and burdens of treatment options
• Close communication and compassionate care
• Emotional and spiritual support for the patient, family and caregivers
• Help with practical needs
• Discharge coordination
Commonly Asked Questions
Q: Can I benefit from palliative care?
A: You and your family could benefit from a palliative care consult if you:
• Have recently been diagnosed with a serious illness
• Need help understanding your condition or prognosis
• Need assistance making difficult medical decisions
• Are experiencing uncontrolled pain or other troublesome symptoms
• Need emotional or spiritual support
• Have a complex illness with many hospital visits or a long hospital stay
Q: Who can receive services?
A: Any patient who is experiencing a serious or life-threatening illness may receive a palliative care consult while they are in the hospital. Palliative Care Services at Sonora Regional Medical Center are included in your hospital costs.
Q: How is palliative care different from hospice?
A: Palliative care is appropriate for any stage of a serious illness. Hospice care is a specialized program that provides services to patients who are felt to be living in their final six months.
Contact
We welcome questions from patients and family members. Please call 536.3369 for more information.
