Spring 2024 | Issue 11 | Page 2
Palliative Care Program Highlight : Ochsner Health System
Written by : Dr . Erika Diaz-Narvaez
Innovations in Palliative Medicine : Enhancing Patient Care and Outcomes at Ochsner Health A Holistic Approach to Advanced Care Planning and Patient Well-being
Building Bridges with Improved Prognostic Awareness One of the central pillars of the Inpatient Palliative Medicine Team ' s work is enhancing prognostic awareness among patients , families , and treatment teams . By fostering understanding of potential outcomes and tailoring care to individual preferences , the team ensures that care remains consistent with patients ' values . This approach minimizes unwanted procedures , unnecessary admissions , and hospitalizations with earlier hospice referrals leading to a significant reduction in inpatient mortality .
Driving Progress Across Specialties The Ochsner Health Palliative Medicine Team collaborates across various specialties , transforming patient care in diverse medical fields .
Within Nephrology , they are working closely with advanced medical management without dialysis ( AMMWD ) clinicians and clinics as part of a PCORI grant .
Within Neurology , palliative care is part of Multidisciplinary teams in the Huntington ’ s clinic , 85 + Memory clinic , ALS clinic and soon Parkinson ’ s disease clinic . All these clinics are staffed by a combination of palliative medicine , neurology , neuropsychology , physical and occupational therapy , and social work .
The Palliative Medicine Team is actively collaborating with the Cardiology department to cater to patients with advanced heart failure , those undergoing Left Ventricular Assist Device ( LVAD ) procedures , transplant candidates , and those with pulmonary hypertension . This collaboration is instrumental in why Ochsner Health was selected as one of the pilot sites for Implement HF project the joint effort between the American Heart Association ( AHA ) and the Center for the Transformation of Advanced Care ( CTAC ) to enhance palliative care referrals for heart failure patients .
Hepatology and Pulmonary are fields where the Palliative Medicine Team extend support to patients with end-stage liver disease and end stage lung disease and those awaiting liver or lung transplants , they fill a crucial gap in care . With a focus on ACP and end-of-life preparation , the team ensures that patients have the tools to make informed decisions about their care , regardless of their transplant candidacy .
The team ' s footprint extends to Oncology and BMT , where an embedded five-day-a-week clinic support patients , and their families , who are undergoing treatments for advanced cancer . This multidisciplinary approach not only provides relief from sources of suffering but also facilitates discussions on end-of-life care preferences .
Collaboration between the Palliative Medicine Team , Emergency department clinician leaders , and case management teams are reshaping the approach to care . Recognizing patients best suited for inpatient hospice instead of traditional admission status ensures optimal care and an improved patient experience .
These collaborations highlight Ochsner Health ’ s Palliative medicine and supportive care team ’ s commitment to a comprehensive and holistic approach to patient care .
Enhancing the well-being of older adults The Palliative medicine team at Ochsner Health ( OH ) is actively involved in the Louisiana Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Project ( LA-GWEP ), a 5-year initiative aimed at enhancing geriatric care . OH serves as the central hub for LA-GWEP projects like Geriatrics ECHO , student and resident training that promote age-friendly practices .
D r . S u s a n N e l s o n
P a l l i a t i v e M e d i c i n e S y s t e m s C h a i r
D r . T h o m a s M o r e l
O c h s n e r M e d i c a l C e n t e r P a l l i a t i v e M e d i c i n e C h a i r
D r . E r i k a D i a z - N a r v a e z
P a l l i a t i v e C a r e P h y s i c i a n
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