Palliative Care
What is Palliative Medicine?
The term palliative is derived from the original Greek root word pallios meaning “to cloak.” Palliative medicine is different from hospice in that patients can receive aggressive alleviation of suffering while continuing to receive disease focused treatments – whatever the prognosis.
The World Health Organization defines palliative medicine as a treatment approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problems associated with life-limiting illness. This is accomplished through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and careful assessment and treatment of pain and other needs that can be physical, psychosocial and/or spiritual.
Who can benefit from Palliative Medicine?
The Palliative Medicine Consult Service works closely with the attending physician to control pain and allow individuals to focus on regaining control and quality of life. Palliative care may be right for you if you suffer from:
- Pain
- Nausea
- Breathlessness
- Anxiety
- Other symptoms due to a serious illness
Serious illnesses may include cancer, advanced heart disease, advanced lung disease, kidney failure, Alzheimer’s Disease, and advanced liver disease. Palliative care can be provided at any stage of illness and along with treatments intended for cure of the disease.
Hoag Palliative Medicine Team: Paul Selecky, M.D., Adam Kendall, M.D., Chaplain Don Oliver and Janet Batt, R.N.
The Palliative Medicine Team
The Palliative Medicine Team at Hoag Hospital consists of palliative nurse specialist,
Janet Batt, R.N., and Board-Certified physician specialist, Adam Kendall, M.D. A key member of the team is Chaplain Don Oliver who helps coordinate optimal spiritual care for patients.
In addition, the physician champion of the program, Paul Selecky, M.D. has helped integrate the participation of other physicians, nurses, social workers, and chaplains who are committed to excellence in the care of patients with life-limiting illnesses.
Specific services provided by the team include:
- Vigorous treatment of pain and symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, depression, breathlessness, and anxiety
- Assisting patients and families in choosing the care and treatments desired
- Providing social, spiritual, and emotional support for those facing difficult medical decisions
- Identifying services to support patients after they leave the hospital
This service is by physician referral only.
Your attending physician must make a referral for a palliative medicine consultation.
For more information on Hoag’s Palliative Medicine Consult Service, call Janet Batt, R.N. at 949/764-8096.
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