The Palliative Care Program provides effective and efficient care in a compassionate and humane manner to patients with a serious, chronic or life-threatening illness.  The philosophy of care focuses on reducing suffering from illness-associated symptoms and improving overall quality of life.  Care encompasses recognition that comfort and psycho-social/emotional support of the patient and their family are essential. 

The program provides house wide consultation services and a specialized inpatient unit focusing on the needs of the patient and family.  An inter-disciplinary team of doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, social workers and chaplains help provide this comprehensive care.

Consultative and support services are available to patients and their families throughout their hospital stay and assistance is provided with planning for post hospital care.  Assistance may include:  discussion of end of life care decisions; pain and symptom management; advance care planning; and/or planning for discharge with consideration of the patient’s autonomy and personal choices.

The Palliative Care inpatient unit is located on the fourth floor of Ardmore Tower. The unit provides the following services:

• Comfort care for those patients that have changed the focus of care to comfort measures
• A private room/supportive environment for families after patient life support withdrawal
• Expert symptom management for patients
• A transition location for patients waiting to be discharged to home, nursing home, or Hospice Home.

Families may stay close to their loved ones with open visitation and can sleep overnight on a cot in the room.  The staff is well-trained to manage the symptoms associated with chronic/terminal illness and support the emotional and spiritual needs of patients and family members.