Palliative Care

Enhancing Quality of Life for the Seriously Ill at Carilion Clinic in Virginia

Palliative care is specialized medical care that seeks to reduce the severity of disease symptoms rather than trying to halt, delay or reverse progression of the disease itself. The goal of palliative care is to prevent and relieve suffering and to improve quality of life for people facing life-limiting illnesses. Palliative care is not dependent on prognosis and is offered in conjunction with curative and other appropriate forms of medical treatment.

About Palliative Care

The term "palliative care" is often used in regard to diseases such as chronic, progressive pulmonary disorders, renal disease, chronic heart failure and progressive neurological conditions.

There is often confusion between the terms "hospice" and "palliative care." While they both share similar goals, palliative care is appropriate for anyone with a serious, complex illness, whether they are expected to fully recover, live with chronic illness for an extended time, or experience disease progression. In contrast, the term "hospice" applies to care administered toward the end of life.

Carilion Clinic's Palliative Care Services

The palliative care team at Carilion Clinic supports patients, families and caregivers during life-limiting illnesses and provides interdisciplinary assessment and comprehensive management of patients' and families' physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and bereavement needs.

The services we offer are provided regardless of ability to pay. However, palliative care is generally covered by Medicare or private insurance. A referral from your physician is required for insurance coverage.

Services Provided

Symptom Control

There is no reason for anyone to suffer needlessly from uncontrolled pain, nausea, shortness of breath or related symptoms. Palliative medicine can effectively control these symptoms. Making sure this happens is one of the primary goals of the palliative care program.

Palliative Care Unit (at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital)

This inpatient unit is available for comprehensive interdisciplinary care. An inpatient Palliative Care Unit has many benefits, including:

• The collaborative relationship with the palliative care team that better meets the needs of patients with life-limiting illnesses.
• Providing an environment to participate in the growing field of palliative medicine research.
• Fostering opportunities to partner with Carilion Clinic Hospice and provide general inpatient hospice care.

Inpatient Consulation Service (at CRMH, CNRV and CFMH)

Comprehensive assessment and management of symptoms in other areas of the hospital is provided to ensure maximum comfort for all hospitalized patients. The attending physician must request this service.

Pediatric Palliative Care (at CRMH)
 

Interdisciplinary Care Team

It takes a lot of different people to effectively run a palliative care program, including:

• The patient and the family
• The referring physician
• The palliative medicine physician
• Registered nurses
• Advanced practice nurses
• Dietitians
• Social workers
• Chaplains
• Nursing assistants
• Trained volunteers
• Physical, occupational, speech and respiratory therapists

Carilion Clinic - Virginia Tech Carilion Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship

Carilion Clinic, the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and the Salem VAMC offer a medical education fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine. The program is available to physicians who have completed a primary residency aimed at preparing the next generation of providers of palliative medicine.

For more information about Carilion Clinic Palliative Care services, call 540-981-7515.