Inpatient Palliative Care Consult Teams

Palliative Care Consultation addresses assessment and management of symptoms associated with advanced illness. Decisional support for addressing goals of care. The team works together to support patients and families during hospitalization, while clearly communicating with those already providing medical care. Psychosocial and spiritual support for patients and their families. Team members include:

• A physician who specializes in recommending medications or treatments to help relieve pain and symptoms caused by illness or aggressive curative treatment

• A nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist with advanced training in life-threatening illness and symptom management, who understands the impact of the illness on a patient and family

• A social worker who counsels patients and family members about interpersonal issues, lifestyle changes, hospital discharge planning and coordination of community resources

• A chaplain who offers spiritual and emotional support, counseling, and coping strategies for patients and families, according to their faith and individual needs