The Questions of The Questions of Death.Death.

Robert J. SumnerRobert J. Sumner

Salem HospitalSalem Hospital Barry Heath, Hospital Chaplin Barry Heath, Hospital Chaplin

Willamette Valley HospiceWillamette Valley HospiceElizabeth Peters, Assistant DirectorElizabeth Peters, Assistant Director

Objectives of Chaplin Objectives of Chaplin HeathHeath Help patients reconnect with what is Help patients reconnect with what is

already knownalready known

Help patients touch base with the intangibleHelp patients touch base with the intangible

Offer options of Palliative Care (Comfort Offer options of Palliative Care (Comfort care)care)

Palliative CarePalliative Care Old method: Talk about death at the Old method: Talk about death at the

end of treatmentend of treatment

New Method: Talk about death at the New Method: Talk about death at the moment of moment of diagnosis.diagnosis.

Objectives of Willamette Objectives of Willamette Valley HospiceValley Hospice

“Making a positive difference, at a sensitive time “Making a positive difference, at a sensitive time of life’of life’

Help patients improve the quality of life Help patients improve the quality of life before they die. “Honor the patient.”before they die. “Honor the patient.”

Multidisciplinary StaffMultidisciplinary Staff– NurseNurse– Social WorkerSocial Worker– Spiritual Needs CounselorSpiritual Needs Counselor– Home Health AideHome Health Aide– Physical TherapistPhysical Therapist– Massage TherapistMassage Therapist

Hospice & PASHospice & PASDr. RasmussenDr. Rasmussen

- “Strongly” encourages patients to - “Strongly” encourages patients to consider Hospice; “give it a try.” consider Hospice; “give it a try.”

- 19 Patients have chosen PAS; many - 19 Patients have chosen PAS; many come into hospice, and leave come into hospice, and leave choosing not proceed with PAS.choosing not proceed with PAS.

Integrating Hospice Integrating Hospice and Salem Hospitaland Salem Hospital

Patients in hospital eligible to Patients in hospital eligible to receive managed care by hospice, receive managed care by hospice, without hospital disruption.without hospital disruption.

Nursing homes, retirement Nursing homes, retirement centers.centers.

ConclusionsConclusions Hospitals can take a larger role in the Hospitals can take a larger role in the

“end of life” planning. “end of life” planning.

Hospitals and Hospice can, and should, Hospitals and Hospice can, and should, work together for patient quality of life work together for patient quality of life management.management.

Hospice is a viable alternative to PAS, Hospice is a viable alternative to PAS, but can also be used in partnership.but can also be used in partnership.

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