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Supportive Care Team
St. Mary's Supportive Care Team:
Comfort care when a cure is no longer possible
What is Supportive Care?
Supportive Care is a concept that is currently finding new life in healthcare systems. Often referred to as Palliative Care or Comfort Care, Supportive Care offers patients in the later phases of their disease access to a variety of specially trained professionals. A team of physicians, nurses, therapists, nutritionists, chaplains and others work with patients and their families to identify goals and medical treatments that honor a patient's choices during this sacred time of life.
Who Can Benefit?
Supportive Care is for people of any age who are in the later phases of a disease. It is particularly important for people who want to fully live in body, mind and spirit until the moment of death. St. Mary's's Supportive Care Team can accompany you on your journey.
How Does It Work?
When you decide you would like this approach to your care, tell your doctor or nurse. Supportive Care offers choices centered on comfort and pain relief when a disease is no longer curable. The team can also help patients and families communicate and overcome their fears and face spiritual challenges as a disease progresses through its final phases.
What Does the Supportive Care Team Do?
Once a cure is no longer an option, people sometimes feel abandoned by the traditional heath care system. St. Mary's Supportive Care Team is available to give people access to timely information and care to promote comfort and relieve symptoms.
Professionals Can:
- Promote the best quality of life during the final stages of disease
- Help patients and their loved ones plan their care
- Facilitate access to care for the mind, body and spirit
- Help patients and families understand the illness, what to expect, and determine individual treatment goals and plans
- Aggressively manage distressing disease symptoms such as pain or nausea
Who Are These People?
You, your family and your physician are the heart of the team. Other professionals who have special training in palliative care include staff chaplains, therapists, dietitians, nurses, case managers and pharmacists. The team works closely with you and your physician to help determine the most helpful combination of professionals for your care.
Is This the Same as Hospice?
The philosophy of Supportive Care and hospice are similar. Supportive Care works closely with and partners with hospice and may begin while you are in the hospital but does not necessarily lead into Hospice Care.
You may want to discuss your choices with a member of the Supportive Care Team as you are thinking about your goals.
When Can I Start?
Your doctor can make a referral to the Supportive Care Team at any time. A member of the team will then meet you and your family to do an assessment. Other team members will participate as your needs are identified.
Who Can I Call to Learn More?
If you or your loved ones would like more information, call the Supportive Care Team office at (865) 545-6351. Hours of operation are 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Mission Statement
To provide counseling, support, and resources to individuals who have incurable diseases, as well as to the families, caregivers, and staff who serve them. Our intent is to facilitate quality care throughout the various stages of end of life |
