You and your child are at the center of our care. If your child has a painful and serious illness, we can help with symptoms and ease family stress. St. Cloud Hospital Women & Children’s Center offers Pediatric Palliative Care.

Pediatric Palliative Care focuses on relief of pain and other symptoms due to serious, life-threatening illnesses. The goal is to improve quality of life for patients and families. Palliative care is right at any point in an illness. We can provide it at the same time as curative treatment. Palliative care does not replace your primary treatment. It works with your treatment plan.

Begin Pediatric Palliative Care early.
Pediatric Palliative Care can happen at the same time as all other treatments. It does not depend upon your child’s prognosis. We also can provide palliative care prenatally, so there’s no reason to wait. Pain and other symptoms can change your quality of life, and stress can have a big impact on your family. The Pediatric Palliative Care team can help.

Here’s what you can expect from Pediatric Palliative Care.
Pediatric Palliative Care can offer you and your child:

• Relief from symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, upset stomach, loss of hunger and problems with sleep
• Tools to cope with the stress
• Better ability to handle medical treatments
• Information on the health problem and choices for care

Pediatric Palliative Care at St. Cloud Hospital makes all the difference.
At St. Cloud Hospital, our Pediatric Palliative Care team includes a clinical nurse specialist, social worker, chaplain and child life specialist. Together with your doctor, we make sure your child and family get:

• A team of health experts to advocate for your interests
• Enhanced quality of life through treatment of pain and symptoms
• Support needed to reach life goals
• Close communication about the illness and treatment choices
• Coordination of pediatric specialty care among all health care professionals
• Referral and coordination of home care and other area resources
• Inpatient and outpatient care
• Emotional and spiritual support

We tailor all care to meet the specific needs and goals of you and your child.

Palliative care is not the same as hospice care.
Hospice care is meant for people in the final months of life. Non-hospice palliative care, on the other hand, is available at any time during an illness while in the hospital. Unlike hospice, palliative care can take place at the same time as curative treatments.

Your insurance will cover Pediatric Palliative Care.
Most insurance plans cover Pediatric Palliative Care services.

Getting Pediatric Palliative Care is easy. Just ask for it.
You already may have been referred to the Pediatric Palliative Care team. If not, just ask your child’s doctor for a referral. We will work with the doctor on a plan of care. For more information, call the St. Cloud Hospital Pediatric Palliative Care team at (320) 229-4935. We welcome your questions.

In 2009, Jeff and Susan Blomstrom came to the St. Cloud Hospital Women & Children’s Center director with a vision of improving care for families and patients diagnosed with life-limiting conditions found during pregnancy or after birth. The Blomstroms dedicated themselves and the financial support necessary to develop a Pediatric Palliative Care program at St. Cloud Hospital in memory of their daughter Payton. Through the work of a dedicated medical team and the Blomstroms, others will be able to focus on creating memories with their loved ones, no matter the amount of time they have with them.

If you are interested in supporting Pediatric Palliative Care at St. Cloud Hospital, please contact CentraCare Health Foundation.

St. Cloud Hospital also offers Palliative Care for adults.
Learn more