By: Danielle Ruble Chief Clinical Officer of Panhandle Palliative Services and Hospice of the Panhandle
It’s not Hospice. It’s not Home Health. It’s not end-of life care. So, what is it?
Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness at any stage of their illness. That often includes palliative care at the time of a new diagnosis, during a flare up, or all of those years in between. Patients in palliative care are often receiving aggressive care from other specialists, and utilize palliative care to assist with coordination of care. Depending on patient needs, our providers may focus on medication management and education, preparations for upcoming provider appointments, symptom management, resource finding, emergency planning, goal clarification, and advanced care planning. Think of palliative care as an umbrella. Hospice is one wedge of that umbrella. All of those other wedges (palliative care) don’t relate to Hospice at all.
Panhandle Palliative Services began serving patients in Berkeley and Jefferson counties in March 2021. Our model is consultative, meaning that our team will work in coordination with other primary care providers and specialists. As a community-based program, provider and social work visits are completed in the home setting and may include follow up and navigational phone calls. Since admitting our first patient, our team has provided palliative care to 359 community members and their families. In June, we admitted 23 new patients to our program – our busiest month yet, and as of today, we have 137 patients actively receiving care in our program. This community is beginning to embrace this newer level of care, and we are preparing our agency for that continued growth.
Beginning this month, we are welcoming our newest palliative team member Dr. Jennifer Dagg, DNP, FNP-BC. Jennifer has experience in both acute inpatient care, and community healthcare. Jennifer is passionate about providing palliative care to all populations. She has an additional interest in serving pediatric patients and their families and has completed training through the PANDA Cubs Palliative Team at Children’s National Medical Center. Jennifer is looking forward to serving our community in an expanded role as a nurse practitioner for Panhandle Palliative Services.
Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness at any stage of their illness. That often includes palliative care at the time of a new diagnosis, during a flare up, or all of those years in between. Patients in palliative care are often receiving aggressive care from other specialists, and utilize palliative care to assist with coordination of care. Depending on patient needs, our providers may focus on medication management and education, preparations for upcoming provider appointments, symptom management, resource finding, emergency planning, goal clarification, and advanced care planning. Think of palliative care as an umbrella. Hospice is one wedge of that umbrella. All of those other wedges (palliative care) don’t relate to Hospice at all.
Panhandle Palliative Services began serving patients in Berkeley and Jefferson counties in March 2021. Our model is consultative, meaning that our team will work in coordination with other primary care providers and specialists. As a community-based program, provider and social work visits are completed in the home setting and may include follow up and navigational phone calls. Since admitting our first patient, our team has provided palliative care to 359 community members and their families. In June, we admitted 23 new patients to our program – our busiest month yet, and as of today, we have 137 patients actively receiving care in our program. This community is beginning to embrace this newer level of care, and we are preparing our agency for that continued growth.
Beginning this month, we are welcoming our newest palliative team member Dr. Jennifer Dagg, DNP, FNP-BC. Jennifer has experience in both acute inpatient care, and community healthcare. Jennifer is passionate about providing palliative care to all populations. She has an additional interest in serving pediatric patients and their families and has completed training through the PANDA Cubs Palliative Team at Children’s National Medical Center. Jennifer is looking forward to serving our community in an expanded role as a nurse practitioner for Panhandle Palliative Services.
With an additional full-time provider, the palliative program will be able to continue growth in both the home setting, as well as facilities. Celebration Villa of Martinsburg was the first Assisted Living facility in Berkeley County to receive Panhandle Palliative Services. This increased staffing will allow the program to promote continued growth and services in Assisted Living settings throughout our service area.
Palliative care empowers patients to focus on their personal needs and values. If you or someone you love is struggling with an illness that keeps you or them from living life the way you’d like, call (304) 264-0406 to find out more about Panhandle Palliative Services.
Danielle Ruble is the Chief Clinical Officer (CCO) of Panhandle Palliative Services and Hospice of the Panhandle. She worked for the not-for profit agency for more than 11 years. Panhandle Palliative Services began in March 2021.