Joseph Rugg's Health Law Blog

Palliative care is the comprehensive treatment for the very sick, but not for those who are dying.  Although not widely practiced, palliative care is becoming part of the discussion among healthcare leaders to improve care and trim costs.

Because the scope of care is evolving for the elderly populations, it’s important that physicians work closely with families to consider palliative or hospice care options. The Sutter Health system, a network of doctors and hospitals in northern California, has an advanced illness management program that partners with patients and families to better coordinate care for palliative patients and also consider end of life options, says Brad Stuart, MD, chief medical officer at the Sutter Care at Home in Fairfield, Calif.

Stuart says it’s important that both disciplines (palliative and hospice) “collaborate for the best outcomes we can have.” Much of the focus for improved patient care, especially those in palliative care, is moving toward ” focusing on goals of patients in their own lives.”

See on www.healthleadersmedia.com

For an aggregation of other articles on improving healthcare, go to my internet magazine Scoop.it! Changing Health for the Better.