Center to Advance Palliative Care

We started our Palliative Medicine program in 2003 within the structure of our Hospice program. Our hospice had a census of 250 at that time, and we staffed with volunteer Hospice Medical Directors. Our first FT Medical Director was hired in August 2003 and we saw 65 new consults that year. In August 2004 I was hired as the Program Coordinator( MSN) and we began collaborating with the local hospitals, LTC and home health agencies to provide Palliative Care. We also hired another FT Hospice MD, a FT Palliative Care Physician and a FT Nurse Practitioner. In 2007 we predict that we will see over 2,200 new consults in hospitals, LTC, Outpatient clinics and in homes. We subsequently hired over 5 years, a total of 10 FT/PT MD's, 6 NP's, 2 RN's, 1 MSW. We have 5 administrative support staff, including data management support. We average 45-50 new consults a week. In review , we have 3 MD's ( 2 FTE's)who support the Hospice program, however all our MD's serve on an IDT, we have a Pediatric Palliative Medicine MD(.75 FTE), 6 Palliative Medicine MD's(5.50 FTE's),6 Palliative Medicine NP's. Our current palliative care ADC is 411. Our hospice ADC is 500. Our Palliative Medicine Program is very busy now seeing patients in 8 hospitals, 23 nursing homes, 1 Outpatient Clinic and homes. We have a wonderful collaborative relationship with one of our partner hospitals and provide education and training for MD/RN/Residents/Nurse Practitioners. We currently have 3 Disease Specific initiatives with the hospitals( ICU, Renal, Cancer)and plan in 2008, to add CHF and ALS. Sorry for the length, but I hope this will give you an idea how to gauge your own program.