Valley Presbyterian Hospital (VPH) Palliative Care and Bereavement Program

The VPH Palliative Care and Bereavement Program serves end-of-life patients and their families by addressing physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual issues associated with illness and dying.

Organization:

Valley Presbyterian Hospital (VPH)

Valley Presbyterian Hospital opened its doors to the community in 1958 as a small, neighborhood provider of personalized medical care. Today, the hospital is one of the largest and most prestigious full-service acute care facilities in the San Fernando Valley in California. The 350-bed hospital serves thousands of families each year, with access to a wide range of medical expertise and leading-edge technology across all elements of care.

Location:

Van Nuys, CA

How does it work?

VPH Palliative Care and Bereavement Program renders unnecessary the need for a specific unit and therefore obviates remodeling costs and extensive staffing. It introduces the scattered-bed approach which enables the palliative care team to teach palliative care principles and techniques to staff throughout the hospital, thereby increasing their ability to participate in pain management, symptom control, and support for the families. Members of the VPH palliative care team have clinical expertise in end-of-life care. The program also offers a training component to allow replication of the model.

Why is it successful?

The VPH Palliative Care and Bereavement Program was awarded the Healthcare and Aging Award in 2006. Every year the program provides education to hundreds of physicians, nurses and other hospital staff, and offers services to patients and their families. It supports cultural and linguistically appropriate practices and has been successful in hospice care transitions in the community.

More Info www.valleypres.org