(801) 408-1100
8th Avenue and C Street
Salt Lake City, Utah 84143Map

LDS Hospital

Palliative Care

"Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual." - World Health Organization

Palliative Medicine provides intensive interdisciplinary treatment of the pain and symptoms of serious illness. It's focus is on the person not just a specific disease. Our Mission is to foster the Spirit of Caring and the Miracle of Healing from diagnosis through end of life when faced with a life threatening illness or injury using the art and science of interdisciplinary health care.

How can the Palliative Care Program at Intermountain help you?
We know that when you are on the front lines of a serious illness you need answers, relief, expertise, and support. Our team wants to make sure that all your concerns are addressed.

What is the right time for palliative care?
Palliative care helps through all stages of a chronic illness or injury. It is best introduced early in your care. It is administered in coordination with the care provided by your physician. Other treatments do not have to stop when palliative care starts.

Who provides palliative care?
To meet the complex needs of the individual and family, the Pallaitive Care team includes the patient's physician, a palliative care physician, advanced practice nurses trained in palliative care, registered nurses, dietician, social workers, case managers and volunteers. The patient and family members are also considered part of the team.

Is palliative care the same as hospice care?
Hospice care is meant specifically for those approaching the last stages of life, while palliative care is appropriate for any stage of a life-threatening illness.

What areas of care do we focus on?

Managing difficult symptoms

Lessening pain, nausea, anxiety, fatigue, depression, shortness of breath, constipation, loss of appetite and other symptoms that may accompany serious illness or are side effects of treatment

Addressing changing goals of care

Helping patients consider care options and make decisions about quality of life

Interpreting the benefits and burdens of care such as tests, surgeries or medications

Helping patients or families in determining when or if to begin or discontinue treatments

Enhancing patient and family support

Help identify what is important to the patient and family and help communicate this to the physician

Promote the best quality of life. Provide spiritual and emotional support throughout the course of an illness

Help with needed referrals for care at home or in other settings

Coordination of insurance or community services

Grief support groups - all are welcome, no fees and no registration.

AVH - Scheduled as requested - Contact Helen Rollins for information, 408-5661
CWH - 1st and 3rd Wednesday each month, 2:30-4 p.m., TOSH boardroom at The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital
LDSH - 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, 3-4 p.m., Education Center A, B, & C at LDSH
Suicide support group - contact Helen Rollins for more information, 408-5661