1. What is The Palliative Care Unit?

The Palliative Care Unit is a special place in Sparks Regional Medical Center for patients with a life-limiting illness. (This includes cancer and non-cancer diagnoses.) The Palliative Care Unit is located on the 6th floor and is operated by Peachtree Hospice.


2. What type of patient would be appropriate for The Palliative Care Unit?
   In general, The Palliative Care Unit would be appropriate for a patient if they have a life-limiting illness and meet the criteria below:
   
   

   When titration of medications, especially pain medication, is needed and cannot safely be done at home When the patient requires constant skilled nursing attention for unstable recurring medical conditions, such as hemorrhage, intractable nausea, severe respiratory distress, multiple draining skin lesions, or any distressing physical symptoms requiring skilled management related to the life-limiting illness When death is imminent and care requires ongoing and frequent skilled nursing intervention When pain or symptoms cannot be managed in a home setting When care is compromised by delirium, restlessness or a sudden, acute breakdown in family dynamics Patient requires a brief period of transitional care prior to going home When the decision is made that a patient with a life-limiting illness in the hospital wishes to no longer seek aggressive or curative treatment and only wants to be kept comfortable, i.e., patients in ICU Any situation where close 24 hour nursing care is necessary to monitor/treat the patient and support the family

3. How is The Palliative Care Unit different from a typical hospital?
   The goal of The Palliative Care Unit is to make the environment as comfortable as possible for the patients and families. Ongoing efforts are made to create a homelike environment. The Palliative Care Unit is quiet; (absent are the beeps and noises of a typical hospital unit). In addition, accommodations are available for family to spend the night in the room with the patient if they wish. Each patient receives a spiritual assessment and is offered support by Peachtree's Chaplain. In addition a Social Worker assesses the family and offers counseling and support. A Bereavement Counselor will provide grief support to the family. The staffing ratio is low which provides for good patient/family to nurse communication and attention.
   
   
4. How is a patient referred to The Palliative Care Unit?
   The first step would be for the patient's physician to order an evaluation for The Palliative Care Unit. This can be done through the hospital case management departments in any hospital, or by contacting our office at 479-494-0100. Patients can be admitted to The Palliative Care Unit from home, nursing home, or hospital.
   
   
5. How long can a patient stay in The Palliative Care Unit?
   There is no time constraint on the patient's length of stay. As long as they meet the inpatient guidelines they may stay in The Palliative Care Unit. If the patient has improved and the physician, family/patient, and hospice feel they may be able to go to a different setting, i.e., home, then this will be discussed and carefully planned. (Note: If a patient is admitted from home for respite purposes there is a five day limit on the stay. This will be discussed with the physician prior to admission).
   
   
6. Can The Palliative Care Unit be used for a transition to home?
   Yes, this provides an excellent opportunity to get the patient and family familiar with hospice and ensure continuity of hospice care from the hospital to the home setting. In addition to a personal residence a patient may go to a nursing home or retirement facility.

Myth #1:
Choosing hospice means giving up hope.

Fact #1:
With hospice, the "hope" is not in a miracle cure - it's in the caring. Because patients get substantial relief from pain and other symptoms - and their families are supported by a caring hospice team - they may live life as fully as possible for as long as possible.


Myth #2:
Hospice workers help people die.

Fact #2:
Hospice neither hastens nor prolongs death; rather, it allows the death process to proceed at a normal and natural pace. Hospice provides presence and specialized knowledge during the dying process just as any specialist would provide. Hospice also provides personalized services so that patients and families can attain the necessary preparation for a death that is satisfactory to them.


Myth #3:
Hospice is only for people with cancer.

Fact #3:
Though many patients do have cancer, hospice serves terminally ill people of all ages, with all types of end-stage diseases. These include heart, lung, kidney, vascular and neurological diseases as well as AIDS and Alzheimer's.

The Palliative Care Unit 1001 Towson Ave Fort Smith, AR 72903 For more information, call 479-494-0100 800-752-0444