Palliative Care | Bon Secours St. Francis Health System

The Palliative Care consult service, offered to patients admitted to ST. FRANCIS downtown, is designed to fulfill the mission of Bon Secours St. Francis Health System: to bring compassion to health care and to be of good help to those in need. We do this through a dedicated team of professionals who can help identify and address the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the patient, family or caregivers. We guide them through the course of illness by providing information on treatment options and resources available. We can also assist you with goals of care or advanced care planning during the discharge process.

Palliative Care may be right for you if you suffer from pain or other symptoms due to a serious or chronic illness, including: COPD, congestive heart failure, kidney disease, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s or other related dementias. Palliative Care services are appropriate for patients of any age and at any stage of an illness and can be provided at the same time as curative treatment. The Palliative Care team also works with the families and caregivers, and includes:

A Doctor who specializes in recommending medications or treatments to help relieve pain and symptoms caused by illness or aggressive curative treatment.
A Nurse Practitioner with advanced training in complex chronic illnesses, pain and symptom management and advanced care planning.
A Social Worker with advanced training in counseling 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 family, according to their faith and individual needs.
Music and Massage Therapists who provide physical and emotional relief from pain and other symptoms caused by illness or aggressive curative treatment.
Physical, Occupational, Respiratory, Speech and other Therapists as needed.

When you receive Palliative Care, you can expect relief from pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite and difficulty sleeping. Palliative Care can improve your ability to carry on with your daily life and toleration of medical treatment. We can help you and your caregivers to better understand your condition and your choices for medical care. In short, you can expect the best possible outcome of your illness.

Palliative Care is available to any patient, regardless of ability to pay. Most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover all or a portion of Palliative Care treatment in the hospital. Talk with your primary physician or nurse and make your wishes known to family, friends and caregivers, then ask for a Palliative Care referral.

To request a consult or find out more, call the Palliative Care office at 864-255-1304. For more information through the Center to Advance Palliative Care, visit their website.