Palliative Care Services
Meriter Hospital, Palliative Care Services
202 S. Park Street
Madison, WI 53715
General Information: (608) 417-6326
Physician Consultations: (608) 417-6000
Meriter Hospital offers the services of a Palliative Care Team whose goal is to relieve suffering and improve the quality of life for patients with incurable or life-limiting illness, and their families. While it serves mainly on a consultative level, the team is available to assist in managing patients and, in select instances, can assume care of patients during their hospitalization.
Patients don't need to be at the end of life to benefit from palliative care services. They may still request curative treatments and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
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Learn About Advance Medical Directives
You can learn about medical directives and print off four Wisconsin-specific forms in our Advance Medical Directives section.
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 Why does Meriter offer palliative care services?
In the absence of clarity regarding prognosis and treatment goals in patients with life-limiting illness, the care plan often followed can lead to costly, challenging and prolonged hospital stays while attempting curative treatment. By providing humane, ethical treatment that addresses distressing physical and emotional symptoms such as pain, dyspnea and anxiety, Meriter's Palliative Care Team assists patients in living out their days with the highest quality possible.
As our country's population ages and the number of people living with complex, advanced illnesses continues to grow, we experience an increased need for palliative care. Currently, one in four hospitals in the United States report having an active palliative care program. By improving patient outcomes and meeting quality standards on pain and other issues, palliative care programs help hospitals maintain Joint Commission quality and pain standards.
Which patients would be appropriate for a Palliative Care Team referral?
- Patients diagnosed with incurable illnesses who are struggling with:
- Unremitting symptoms such as pain, nausea, anxiety or dyspnea
- Spiritual or emotional distress
- Lack of clarity regarding prognosis and goals of treatment
- Support concerns and disposition issues
- Patients with malignant disease not responding to curative therapies
- Patients with multi-organ system failure not responding to aggressive care
- Elderly patients with multiple medical problems, frequent hospitalizations, poor functional status and poor quality of life
- Patients with advanced congestive heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
What are the goals of Meriter's Palliative Care Team?
- Improve patients outcomes through expert symptom control.
- Facilitate discussion and decision-making regarding goals of treatment among patients, families, and their primary care providers.
- Provide comprehensive emotional and spiritual support in a culturally sensitive manner as patients near death.
- Assist in transitions to appropriate post-hospital care settings.
- Minimize the unnecessary use of testing and treatments that won't benefit the patient.
Who makes up the Palliative Care Team?
- Ann Catlett, MD, is medical director. She has a background in hospital medicine, and special interest and training in palliative care.
- Mary Vassalotti, RN, MS, is a Clinical Nurse Specialist with expertise in pain management.
- Carrie Bennett, RN, MS, is a Clinical Nurse Specialist with expertise in geriatrics.
- Kathleen Ziemba, LCSW, is Meriter's Social Work Supervisor. She brings significant experience in advance care planning, and supporting patients and families through the end-of-life journey.
- Rev. Bob Eagle, Board Certified Chaplain, provides spiritual support and leadership.
Patient and Family Services and the Department of Spiritual Care staff round out our interdisciplinary team.
How do I find out more about Meriter's Palliative Care Team?
For general questions regarding Meriter's Palliative Care Team services or philosophy, please call Ana Johnson in the Medical Staff Affairs office at (608) 417-6326.
Palliative Care Team consultations can be requested by physician order. Please call the operator at (608) 417-6000 for urgent consultations.
This service is made possible through a grant from the Meriter Foundation.
6/8/2007
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