Inspired by a philosophy of caring and a novel delivery model already in existence in our Breast Health Center (BHC), this poster will outline the steps taken to implement the knowledge gained at Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) conferences as well as the Palliative Care Leadership Center (PCLC) visit and the impact these educational opportunities have had on the growth of this comprehensive hospital-based program.

Short Description

An existing Breast Health Center, offering ongoing support to the breast cancer patient from the moment of diagnosis through treatment and recovery, always addressing the physical, emotional and spiritual well being of the patient and family, raised the question; “Why are we limiting this service to the breast cancer patient?”

• Attend CAPC “How to Build a Hospital-Based Palliative Care Program”
• Develop Core Components for Change
  • Case by case successes
  • Champion recruitment
  • Continuous education
  • Collect Data
  • Call on Administration regularly
• Attend PCLC, utilize one year mentorship benefit
• Measure successes
  • Patient, family and staff satisfaction
  • Increase in consults
  • Decrease length of stay and increase bed flow in the CCU
• Identify obstacles and implement change on an ongoing basis

Summary of Results

This poster will outline one medical center’s successful journey from a nurse-driven screening program with a volunteer medical director to one that encompasses a hospital-wide consultation service with an 11-bed dedicated acute inpatient palliative care unit and partnerships with home care, hospice, sub-acute and long-term care facilities, outpatient dialysis, and community resources supporting over six-hundred patients a year.