Supportive Palliative Care
Our pioneering supportive palliative care (SPC) program sets a new standard in care for patients with chronic heart conditions.
A patient-centered approach
Using a holistic approach to addressing our patients’ physical, emotional and spiritual needs, we have become the first surgical specialty hospital in the country to earn the Advanced Certification for Palliative Care from The Joint Commission.
Easing stress and anxiety in decision-making
The SPC collaborates closely with interventional and noninterventional cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, and other subspecialists to alleviate the symptom burden in chronically ill heart patients and, perhaps more importantly, assist in their decision-making.
Determining appropriate treatments for patients with complex cardiovascular conditions can promote anxiety even in seasoned physicians. The SPC team assists with those decisions, always considering not just whether a physician can provide treatment but whether they should, particularly in cases where life-extending interventions are options.
Committed to following the Hippocratic Oath, our SPC team adheres to each patient’s goals of dignity and comfort. With those in mind, the team assists physicians in deciding on supplemental therapeutics and how to care for symptoms in compassionate, medically ethical ways.
Evolving palliative care in the outpatient setting
The SPC program has had a profound impact on patients and providers by easing their stress and helping them feel confident that care aligns with patients’ wishes. The program also supports staff by providing education and building trust.
The success of SPC in the inpatient setting is evolving in ways that can benefit patients in outpatient clinics, such as our Advanced Heart Recovery Center for patients with complex heart failure. Understanding a patient’s wishes and goals can increase satisfaction and reduce costs when physicians consider whether treatment is beneficial or wanted before recommending a care path.
As we continue to innovate and expand our services, we remain committed to providing compassionate support to our patients facing serious illness.
Complementary care
Patients in our supportive palliative care program have free access to:
- Child life specialists
- A fitness gym
- Music therapy
- Nurse navigators
- Pastoral care
Explore our services and programs
Our focus on patient and provider well-being
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