Center to Advance Palliative Care

... ...
For Patients and Families
Partner
Sponsor
 
  Print this page
Views

CAPC Palliative Care Discussion Forum
General Operational Topics

Next Reply: Re:Palliative Care Reporting Structure
Previous Message: Info pamphlets for low/no cost
Next Message: palliative care volunteers

Post Palliative Care Reporting Structure
Author: aretta
Date: Apr 21, 2010 4:20 pm
I have been researching to determine if there is a standard or best practice regarding the reporting structure for a Palliative Care (PC) Department. Should a Palliative Care Department report to a physician aligned department or to Nursing or Administration, etc? If you could provide me with any information regarding this, I would be greatful.

Thank you
Replies: order by [Date] [Author] [Subject]
+ Re:Palliative Care Reporting Structure (by Deb on 04/22/2010)
I think you will see a number of different models. My service is under the case management director (nursing). I think it depends on what will work best in your environment.
+ Re:Palliative Care Reporting Structure (by kkerr on 04/22/2010)
Great question. I concur that there is no best practice here – some services are administratively based in a clinical department or service line (like oncology or geriatrics), others are affiliated with a medical center department like case management, nursing or spiritual care. So, select the administrative home that makes the most sense at your institution – you might ask yourself, will one department vs another be able to give me relatively stronger support from a senior administrator? I believe that the department that serves as your program’s administrative home is less important than how your program is integrated into the larger operations of your medical center or health system. Consider the preferred program administration practice set forth in the Operational Features for Hospital Palliative Care Programs: Consensus Recommendations (Weissman DE, Meier DE: Operational features for hospital palliative care programs: consensus recommendations. J Palliat Med 11:1189-1194, 2008):

“Palliative care program staff integrated into the management structure of the hospital to ensure that program processes, outcomes and strategic planning are developed in consideration of hospital mission/goals.”

So, think about how you will integrate your new service into the larger hospital infrastructure. And consider if affiliating with one department vs another will make integration easier. Regards, Kathleen Kerr, Senior Analyst, University of California San Francisco, Palliative Care Leadership Center

IMPORTANT: In order to post a new message or reply to an existing post in the discussion you must login. If you are not a registered member you may join here.
The statements posted in the forum section of capc.org are opinions expressed by website visitors and do not necessarily represent the viewpoints or positions of the Center to Advance Palliative Care(CAPC). CAPC is not responsible for the factual or legal accuracy of any of the statements posted.


General questions about using the CAPCconnect™ palliative care discussion forum?
Email: Jennifer.Raiten@mssm.edu

Lost login username/password questions? Email: Margaret.Schutz@mssm.edu