Compassionate, holistic support for patients and families facing serious illness
The Phelps Health Inpatient Palliative Care (PC) team helps patients and families navigate the challenges of serious illness. While currently offered only for patients admitted to the hospital, our program focuses on more than just medical treatment — we help you establish your personal goals for care and ensure your voice guides every decision.
What Palliative Care Is
Palliative care provides a whole-person approach to care, addressing physical symptoms, emotional well-being and practical needs. Whether you have heart failure, COPD, cancer, or another serious condition, palliative care is not limited by a specific diagnosis. Any serious health situation may qualify.
Our goals are to:
- Help you define what matters most to you and align your treatment plan around those priorities
- Manage symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath or fatigue to improve your quality of life
- Support your family and loved ones in understanding your illness and navigating care decisions
- Coordinate with all members of your healthcare team to ensure everyone is working toward the same goals
How Palliative Care Helps
Research shows that palliative care can improve quality of life, reduce hospital readmissions, shorten length of stay and lower hospital mortality rates. Our team works closely with your doctors, nurses and specialists—often getting involved early in your hospital stay—and can remain engaged at any stage of illness.
We can also:
- Advocate for you with your healthcare team
- Coordinate family meetings to ensure everyone understands the care plan
- Assist with advance care planning for future healthcare decisions
- Adjust your goals and treatment approach as symptoms or needs change
Who We Are
Your Inpatient Palliative Care team may include a provider, nurse, social worker, chaplain and other specialists as needed. The psychosocial aspect of care is especially important, which is why we include a social worker to help address emotional and practical challenges.
