Tri-County Hospital (TCH) has been selected to participate in Stratis Health's Minnesota Rural Palliative Care Initiative to establish or strengthen palliative care programs in their community. TCH is one of 10 Minnesota communities who will be working together through this initiative being led by Stratis Health, in partnership with Transitions and Life Choices, the palliative care program of Fairview Health Services.
Seven out of 10 Americans who die each year die of a chronic disease. Palliative care is an approach to managing chronic disease and other serious and advanced illness that centers on relieving suffering and improving quality of life for patients and their families. Palliative care customizes treatment to meet the needs of each individual, seeking to relieve pain, anxiety, shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite and other symptoms and to provide emotional and spiritual support. It differs from hospice in that it is appropriate at any point in a serious illness and can be provided at the same time as curative treatment.
Palliative care planning should begin at the time of diagnosis of a life-threatening or progressive, debilitating condition to assure patient's goals, preferences and choices are respected. Utilizing the interdisciplinary approach, professionals with trained skills will assist patients with serious illnesses and families towards improving quality of life.
"Tri-County Hospital is excited to be able to work with Stratis Health in developing a palliative care program in the Wadena area," said Andrea Craig, TCH Home Health Care/Hospice manager. Efforts will involve several community agencies working together as a team to benefit those in need of these important services."
