New inpatient palliative care program at South County Hospital aims to improve quality of life

WAKEFIELD – South County Hospital launched an inpatient palliative care program, medical care that provides relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. South County Hospital’s Palliative Care Task Force, headed by Dr. Russ Corcoran, led this initiative, in collaboration with Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island. The goal of palliative care is to improve quality of life for the patient (and his or her family) while curative treatments are underway.

A team of specialists – doctors, nurses and social workers – will provide the palliative care. South County Hospital is partnering with two board-certified palliative care specialists from Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island: Amy Charron, NP, and Dr. Mercedes Pacheco. Hospital Case Manager Holly Fuscaldo will act as a full-time, on-site palliative care social worker. The hospital is also employing a chaplain to support the psychosocial needs of patients receiving palliative care.

Palliative care has been shown to be tremendously useful for patients of any age and across a range of diagnoses. Unlike hospice care, which is non-curative and used for those with a terminal illness, palliative care can be used for short-term alleviation of symptoms or longer-term support of chronic diseases, such as congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic pain, cancer and many other conditions or illnesses. Palliative care means better communication between patients and caregivers, better coordination of care, and relief from pain and other symptoms that erode quality of life. Most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover palliative care.

At South County Hospital, a patient is identified as a candidate for palliative care through a series of questions during the admission process. The total score determines whether an attending physician or hospitalist makes a referral for palliative care. The Palliative Care Team then develops a care plan.

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All physicians and nurses within the South County Medical Group practices – part of the South County Health system – are being trained in palliative care. To date, 60 to 70 percent of them have completed the training. This foundation will allow for a better continuum of care. As the program becomes more established, it will expand from inpatient care to outpatient settings as well, particularly in physician practices.

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