Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Seasons Hospice at Northwest Hospital

Hospices provide quality, compassionate care to those who are facing a life-limiting illness or injury. However, sometimes patients need the capabilities of a hospital.

That's where the partnership between Northwest Hospital and Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care of Maryland comes in. In February 2008, Northwest Hospital became the first hospital in Maryland to open a fully dedicated inpatient hospice unit. An article on the collaboration recently appeared in ADVANCE for Nurses.

The demand for hospice care is growing. The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization states that 1,450,000 hospice patients were served in 2008, up from 1,060,000 in 2004. Another change has been the shift from hospice patients with cancer to other diseases. Today, cancer patients in hospice make up almost 39 percent, while other common diagnosis for patients admitted in 2008 include heart disease, lung disease and dementia.

At Northwest, the Seasons unit has soothing earth tones, flat-screen televisions, a communal kitchen and other amenities designed to make it feel homey. Therapy dogs, volunteers, and musicians are all used to provide comfort.

To learn more about Seasons at Northwest, call 410-601-WELL (9355).

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