Palliative Care at The Christ Hospital
Palliative care is a specialty of medicine that takes a holistic approach to serious and chronic illnesses, focusing on identifying and aggressively treating symptoms that cause distress in order to maximize comfort and improve quality of life. Palliative care may be provided to any patient with a life-threatening or chronic illness, not just those who need end-of-life care.
The Christ Hospital’s specially-trained palliative care team provides comprehensive, compassionate care for patients and families coping with serious illnesses, such as cancer, advanced heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and multiple sclerosis (MS), to name a few. Many chronic conditions and serious illnesses are accompanied by pain, anxiety and other physical, psychological, cultural and spiritual issues.
Through the treatment of these symptoms, The Christ Hospital’s palliative care team strives to empower patients and their families to live their lives as fully as possible. Palliative care is provided in conjunction with the active treatment of the illness itself, and can be continued should a patient or family decide that active treatment is no longer appropriate.
Palliative care reflects The Christ Hospital’s commitment to patient and family-centered care, which focuses on treating patients and families with dignity and respect, information sharing, participation and collaboration. Through this service, we hope to empower patients and families to make healthcare decisions with peace of mind.
Our mission: To provide comprehensive, interdisciplinary, and compassionate care to transform suffering and improve quality of life for patients and families coping with serious illness. Our team strives to empower patients and their families to live their lives as fully as possible through treatment of pain and related physical, psychosocial, cultural and spiritual problems.
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Is palliative care just another name for hospice?
Palliative care is often confused with hospice – which is only one version of palliative care. Palliative care covers a much broader range of services and can be beneficial to many patients, including those who will fully recover from a serious illness, those who must learn to live with an illness for an extended period, those whose illness is expected to progress rapidly and those who are considering hospice.
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Who is on the palliative care team?
The team is made up of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, chaplains and social workers experienced in palliative care. They will work alongside the patient’s other doctors and healthcare providers. Dieticians and therapists may also become involved in providing palliative care.
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Physicians
Raj Lakhia, D.O.
Steve Mueller, M.D.
Reid Hartmann, M.D.
Doug Smucker, M.D.
Phil Diller, M.D.
Nurses
Jennifer Hester, D.N.P., A.P.R.N., A.C.H.P.N.
Colleen Bass, R.N., B.S.N.
Brad Hein, PharmD.
Erica Smith, PharmD.
Nicole Yunker, PharmD.
Chaplain
Marge Jones
Social Worker
Lisa Turner, M.S.W.
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What happens during a palliative care consultation?
A doctor and nurse who specialize in palliative care will review the patient’s records and speak with the patient’s other doctors. Members of the team will meet with the patient and/or his or her loved ones to conduct a thorough history and physical exam. When appropriate, they will arrange a family meeting to discuss the patient’s current health, prognosis, options and goals for care. The team will document findings in the medical record and make recommendations for therapy and additional referrals when necessary.
What types of treatment can be provided?
The palliative care team will provide active and appropriate care based on the unique goals of each patient. Patient and family involvement is encouraged to foster a better understanding of the illness, prognosis and options.
- The palliative care team can address symptoms such as pain, trouble sleeping, shortness of breath, nausea, weakness and other conditions causing discomfort.
- The team can coordinate care when several specialists are treating varying aspects of the patient’s illness.
- The team can assist with making daily physical activities easier, as well as offering exercise and nutrition planning.
- Complementary and alternative medicine therapies may be recommended, including acupuncture, massage, meditation, Healing Touch, Tai chi and yoga.
- Specialists in spiritual care and social work can address the spiritual, cultural and emotional aspects of care.
- Team members will support patients and families to ensure their goals for care are clearly understood and acted upon, especially if the patient becomes unable to communicate his or her wishes.
- The team will assist patients, their families and the hospital staff to make plans for care upon discharge from the hospital.
Is there a cost for palliative care consultations?
The Christ Hospital provides the services of the palliative care physician staff, advanced practice nursing staff, social worker and chaplain without a professional fee being charged to the patient. Any treatments or medications ordered by the palliative care physicians or advanced practice nurses would be posted to the patient’s account and billed to the patient’s insurer. Generally, palliative care services are covered by most insurers.
How are palliative care consultations requested?
A palliative care consultation requires a doctor’s order. If you believe that you or your loved one would benefit from palliative care, you may ask your doctor to request a consultation. You may also receive more information by calling the palliative care team at 513-585-4157 or by e-mailing PalliativeCare@TheChristHospital.com.
Additional resources
Caring Connections
Eight Facts to Know about Palliative Care
From U.S. News & World Report
GetPalliativeCare.org
Handbook for Mortals: Guidance for People Facing Serious Illness
Growthhouse.org
Palliative Care at The Christ Hospital
Understanding the Dying Process
U.S. National Library of Medicine