RESOURCES/LINKS
Palliative Care
Palliative Care is the active, total care of patients whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment. The goal of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Palliative Care Services is to achieve the best quality of life for patients and their families while seeking continuing treatment for their advanced illness. The benefits to patients include avoiding frequent hospital stays, costly and lengthy ER visits, and improving patient satisfaction.
St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Palliative Care Services
Hours: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
618-277-9360
Who is Palliative Care for?
Palliative care is intended for patients with progressive, chronic illnesses.
Palliative care is not hospice care. The plan for Palliative Medicine is to
improve the quality of life for patients and families.
The program is devoted to providing patient and family centered care to those with chronic illnesses who are in need of symptom control. This pertains to any patient in need of symptom management such as:
- Uncontrolled pain
- Nausea
- Shortness of Breath
- Anxiety
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Delirium
- Constipation
The program can also help those making decisions about advance directives and care goals.
Referrals
Referrals can be made by physicians, physician assistants and nurse
practitioners by a written order for a Palliative Care Consult. For information, call 618-277-9360.
Consultations
The goals of the Palliative Care team are to manage distressing symptoms and to help patients and families understand their treatment options so informed decisions can be made.
Palliative Care Services can be
received at:
- St. Elizabeth’s Hospital
Our team includes physicians, nurse practitioners, staff nurses, social workers, pharmacists and Pastoral Care members. All are skilled in helping patients, their families, and friends to discuss and explore difficult or sensitive issues such as healthcare advocacy, advanced directives, supportive care and other care decisions.
Serving Our Community
St. Elizabeth’s Hospital has made a commitment to our community to provide care and services that go beyond what is expected of most hospitals.
St. Elizabeth’s has established a collaboration agreement with Family Hospice and Hospice of Southern Illinois to provide Palliative Care Services to patients in our community. With these combined resources, patients and family will be able to receive needed care and support through the course of their disease process. Palliative Care focuses on controlling the symptoms of illness, while enhancing comfort and quality of life.
HSHS
