News release from Parkview Hospital:
Parkview enhancing palliative care program
(March 7, 2011) – Parkview Hospital officials today announced it is enhancing its palliative care program.
Parkview will be involved early in the decision-making process to assist patients and families with supportive care and helping patients with their health goals. Parkview staff members are trained in palliative care and can assist with physical, emotional, spiritual, and social concerns that can be associated with advanced illness.
Patients with life-limiting illnesses, decline in function, difficulty in controlling symptoms, and multiple hospitalizations are the most common individuals in need of palliative care.
The goals of palliative care are to improve the quality of life for patients, be an advocate for patients and relieve suffering as much as possible. Palliative care involves symptom management, advanced directives, education, and family meetings.
Drs. Richard Kelty and Amberly Burger with Parkview Physicians’ Group and Kay Felts, NP, will lead the effort to coordinate the palliative care process with patients and family members.
“By expanding our palliative care efforts, we are providing additional care and resources for patients and their families. We want patients and family members to know that quality of life is one of our top priorities,” said Judy Boerger, chief nursing executive, Parkview Health. “We are committed to being a leader in providing excellent patient-centered care.”
The palliative care program is designed to help patients through the continuum of care.
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