What is Palliative Care?
Palliative Care is a medical specialty that focuses on the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of people with serious illness. It aims to reduce suffering, protect dignity and improve quality of life for patients and families. This care can take place at the same time as other treatments and at any time during a serious illness. Palliative Care consultations are available to St. Cloud Hospital patients. An inpatient Palliative Care team will meet with you and your family to understand your needs. We will create a plan that respects your values and personal choices. Your plan of care is re-evaluated daily. Your primary doctor will remain in charge of your care.

Who is part of the Palliative Care team?

• A doctor or advanced practice nurse will assess and treat your symptoms, provide treatment options and set goals for care.
• Practice nurses coordinate the activities of the Palliative Care team. They monitor your symptoms and response to treatment. They are directly available to provide extra support to you and your family.
• Social workers help you and your family with discharge, community resources and relationship issues.
• Chaplains offer compassionate listening, calming presence and comforting prayer along with coping strategies and counseling. They give support based on your faith, values and spiritual needs.

What can Palliative Care offer you?

• Attention to your spiritual, emotional and physical needs.
• Support in making difficult health care choices.
• Management of pain and symptoms, such as:
  • Nausea
  • Throwing up
  • Shortness of breath
  • Anxiety
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Diarrhea
  • Spiritual distress.
• Help for you and your family in coping with your illness.
• Facts about your illness, outlook and choices. We want to make sure your care is based on your wishes and goals.

What is the difference between Palliative Care and Hospice?
Palliative Care provides quality, compassionate care for people with serious, life-limiting illnesses. It can lessen the impact of the illness and the side effects of treatment. Palliative Care can take place at the same time as curative care. Hospice provides quality, compassionate care for the dying. It is for people not seeking curative care for their illnesses and who are not expecting to live more than six months.

How do you contact Palliative Care?
Talk to your doctor or nurse if you want to meet with the Palliative Care team while you are a patient at St. Cloud Hospital.

St. Cloud Hospital also offers Pediatric Palliative Care.
Learn more

“To cure sometimes, to relieve often, to comfort always.” ~ Hippocrates