Franciscan expands Palliative Care Outreach program

As of July 1, Franciscan Health System's expanded Palliative Care Outreach programs and services will be available to all individuals in Lakewood, and other communities throughout Pierce, King and Kitsap counties, who are suffering life-threatening illnesses and have approximately one year to live. Franciscan includes St. Clare Hospital in Lakewood. Franciscan's palliative care outreach services include:

• Private, in-home consultations with patients by advanced registered nurse practitioners, physician assistants and social workers;
• Pain and symptom management;
• Guided advanced care planning;
• Home-safety assessments;
• Information about community and health care resources, including hospice care.

Services of the Franciscan Palliative Care Outreach program are for individuals whose primary care physician indicates that he or she would not be surprised if the patient died within a year.

“Individuals who are coping with a painful or life-limiting illness are often faced with overwhelming challenges, so it’s hard for them to make difficult decisions and preserve as much quality of life as possible,” said Georganne Trandum, a registered nurse and clinical division manager for Franciscan Palliative Care Outreach. “We are able to help individuals and their loved ones during this time. They do not have to face the illness alone.”

Franciscan staff integrates palliative care (i.e., pain relief, symptom management) with education, practical support and connections to a broad range of community programs that benefit terminally ill individuals, and their families, even during aggressive treatment of the person’s condition.

“We visit patients in their homes or in long-term care settings, such as nursing homes, and assist with pain and symptom management,” Trandum added. “We also help them understand their medical options and make informed choices based on their values and wishes.”

Anyone – physicians as well as relatives and friends of seriously ill men and women – can refer patients for Franciscan’s palliative outreach services. Call 1-866-969-7028 toll-free. The program’s services require approval by the patient’s primary-care physician. Fee-for-service consultations and in-home visits with patients by advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs), physician assistants and social workers are billed to Medicare or the patient’s private health insurance provider. Individuals who lack insurance or the ability to pay may still qualify for services under Franciscan’s generous charity care policy

In 1999, Franciscan launched its unique palliative care outreach program in select Franciscan Medical Group clinics as a free program to serve individuals diagnosed with a terminal illness but who were not eligible for hospice. Candidates for hospice typically have six months or less to live. Franciscan received several national awards for its palliative outreach initiative, including the American Hospital Association’s 2000 Circle of Life Award for innovation in end-of-life services.

Because of the growing need for, and interest in, palliative services, Franciscan has redesigned its model outreach program in order to broaden access to its important services. “Everyone with a life-limiting illness will become eligible for hospice services at some point,” said Trandum. “Our Palliative Care Outreach team can help patients, their families and their physicians know when the time is right.”

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