The Loyola Hospitalists are committed to providing outstanding care to the hospitalized complex medical patient.  Members of the Division care for a broad range of patients including both adult and pediatric patients with problems ranging from asthma to renal transplant.   The Loyola hospitalists are also active in the pre-operative evaluation of surgical patients and will be the physicians in charge of Loyola University Medical Center’s new observation unit in 2009.  Hospice and home care are also directed by physicians within Hospital Medicine.

Palliative Care

Palliative Care is a medical specialty devoted to improving quality of life and relief of suffering for people living with advanced illness.  Palliative care helps through all stages of serious illness.  It is best introduced early in your care and is provided at the same time as other treatments for your disease including things like chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Loyola’s palliative care team includes board-certified physicians who work closely with other members of the team including a palliative care advanced practice nurse, social workers, chaplains, and bereavement counselors to provide maximal support for patients and their families.  Together with your own doctor, we make sure that you receive:

• Expert treatment of your pain and symptoms
  
• Close communication about your illness and treatment choices
  
• Coordination of your care among all of your health care providers
  
• Emotional and spiritual support for you and your family
  
• Care in the clinic and in the hospital
  
• Referral and coordination of home care services

Begin palliative care early.
Palliative care can occur at the same time as all other treatments for your illness. It does not depend upon your prognosis. So there’s absolutely no reason to wait. Pain and other symptoms affect your quality of life, and the stress can have a big impact on your family. The palliative care team can help.

Your insurance will cover palliative care.
Most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover palliative care services. It is handled like other medical services, such as oncology or cardiology.

Getting palliative care is easy. Palliative care consultation is available in the hospital and in the clinic.  Just ask your doctor for a referral or to schedule an appointment in the palliative care clinic call 708-216-8563.