Palliative Care

Our Mission

To support patients and their families by palliating physical, psychological, social, and spiritual suffering
combining the expertise of an interdisciplinary care team with a spirit of love and compassion.

About the Department

Established in February 2007, the Department of Palliative Care is dedicated to elevating the quality of palliative care for patients facing advanced cancer and other incurable, progressive illnesses. Led by specialized attending physicians and rotating resident physicians, our department primarily provides inpatient consultation services.

Palliative care consultations are available to any inpatient experiencing severe pain or distress. Consultations can be requested directly by the patient, their family, or initiated by the primary attending physician or ward nurse.

Core Roles & Objectives

1. Delivering Best-Possible Total Care: Providing comprehensive palliative management for patients diagnosed with advanced cancer or progressive illnesses facing severe pain or distress
2. Multidisciplinary Symptom Management: Addressing physical pain and distress alongside psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions through a holistic care approach
3. Hospital-Wide Staff Education: Training healthcare professionals across Kameda Medical Center so that high-quality palliative care can be integrated into everyday patient care hospital-wide
4. Empowering Patients & Families: Guiding terminally ill patients and their loved ones on end-of-life preparation, helping create meaningful, comfortable final moments.
5. Fostering Palliative Specialists: Training future leaders in palliative medicine through our specialized 2-year Palliative Care Fellowship Program.

The Interdisciplinary Kameda PCT Team
 

The Kameda Palliative Care Team (PCT) comprises approximately 25 interdisciplinary team members, including physicians, certified nurses, pharmacists, social workers, psychotherapists, physical and occupational therapists, dietitians, chaplains, and volunteers.

Our Core PCT Members (who dedicate >50% of their clinical duties to PCT activities) include:

• 3 Specialized Palliative Care Physicians
• 1 Certified Palliative Care Nurse
• 1 Hospital Chaplain
• 2 Occupational Therapists
• 1 Clinical Pharmacist

Indications for PCT Consultation

You or your healthcare provider may request a Palliative Care Consultation for any of the following indications:

1. Refractory Pain & Complex Symptoms: Severe pain or uncontrolled physical symptoms caused by advanced cancer or progressive illnesses.
2. Advanced Analgesic Management: Pain control utilizing Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA) pump systems.
3. Psychological & Existential Counseling: Support for mental distress, anxiety, depression, or existential/spiritual questions.
4. Pharmacotherapy Counseling: Professional guidance on complex palliative medications and prescriptions.
5. Discharge Planning & Social Support: Guidance on transition of care, home care setup, and financial resources.
6. Nutritional & Dietetic Counseling: Expert advice regarding dietary intake, appetite loss, and clinical nutrition.
7. Physical Functionality & Mobility: Interventions to preserve mobility, comfort, and functional independence.
8. Complementary & Alternative Medicine: Counseling on safe, evidence-aligned integrative approaches.
9. Advance Care Planning (ACP): Guidance and facilitation through difficult end-of-life decision-making.

How to Request a Consultation & Post-Discharge Care:

If you are unsure whether palliative care is right for you, please speak with your primary physician or ward nurse. To ensure continuum of care after discharge, follow-up appointments are available at the Outpatient Office of the Department of Palliative Care at Kameda Medical Center.

Census of Kameda PCT inpatient consultation referrals
303 cases/year. (2011)

None