Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton and Faith Presbyterian Hospice are pleased to announce they will be offering a comprehensive inpatient palliative care program for patients and families that are facing serious illnesses.
The palliative care program has designated family care suites, which will be housed on the fourth floor of the hospital, and will be the first of its kind in Denton. The rooms have been designed with the patient and their families’ needs in mind offering serene, home-like settings.
“At Texas Health Denton, we are constantly working to meet the needs of our community,” said Timothy Harris, M.D., chief medical officer at the hospital. “As a physician in this community I have seen the need for palliative care, a need which is going to continue to grow. When the opportunity presented itself to work with Faith Presbyterian Hospice, an organization that has similar values as our own, we knew this would be an excellent chance to better serve our patients and the community.”
According to the Center to Advance Palliative Care, the number of U.S. hospitals offering palliative care services is growing rapidly. The program is designed to help patients who are experiencing pain, stress and or other symptoms due to a serious illness, and will also help patients and their families navigate the healthcare system.
“There is a common misconception that palliative care only means end-of-life care,” said Owen Buntyn, R.N., certified hospice and palliative care nurse at Faith Presbyterian Hospice. “This is not true. Anyone with a serious illness can benefit from the expertise of a palliative care program like ours. Hospitals can be confusing, and when someone has a serious illness, the options and treatments available can be overwhelming. Whether you are in the hospital receiving treatment or facing end-of-life decisions, we bring our expertise in managing your symptoms and maximizing your quality of life. When curative treatment is no longer an option, this partnership provides a guided transition from palliative care to hospice care, making a difficult time easier.”
The palliative care program’s care team includes specially-trained nurses, social workers and chaplains that are employed by both the hospital and Faith Presbyterian Hospice. The goal is to provide mind, body and spiritual care for the entire family during their time at the hospital.
“When you have a loved one in the hospital for an extended period of time, it can be very draining on the whole family,” Harris said. “Our palliative care rooms are set up to be more comfortable for extended visits from family, and offer amenities for visitors that are not found in other areas of the hospital. This is one of the many layers that we are adding to help take care of the family as a whole.”
“Faith Presbyterian Hospice is honored to serve alongside Texas Health Denton in addressing the Denton community’s palliative care needs,” said Cindy Douglas, R.N., vice president of clinical program development for Faith Presbyterian Hospice. “Together we have developed a valuable service that will meet the needs of patients and families as they navigate their healthcare.”
Patients who are interested in the palliative care program can be referred by their physician or call the palliative care line for more information at 940-231-8303.
For more information on the hospital, visit www.TexasHealth.org/Denton.
About Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton is a 255-bed acute-care, full-service hospital that has served North Texas and southern Oklahoma since 1987. The hospital’s services include: heart and vascular; a Level III neonatal intensive care unit; a pediatric unit; orthopedics and sports medicine; neck, spine and pain management; emergency medicine; an accredited sleep center; women’s services; and a weight loss surgery program that has been designated a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence. As one of the largest employers in Denton County, Texas Health Denton has more than 900 employees and more than 300 physicians on the medical staff practicing in more than 45 specialties. Texas Health Denton is an accredited chest pain center, and is certified by the Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center and designated by the State of Texas as a Primary Stroke Facility. Texas Health Denton is an affiliate of Texas Health Resources, one of the largest faith-based, nonprofit health care delivery systems in the United States.
About Texas Health Resources
Texas Health Resources is one of the largest faith-based, nonprofit health systems in the United States. The health system includes 25 acute care and short-stay hospitals that are owned, operated, joint-ventured or affiliated with Texas Health Resources. It includes the Texas Health Presbyterian, Texas Health Arlington Memorial and Texas Health Harris Methodist hospitals, Huguley Memorial Medical Center, Texas Health Physicians Group, outpatient facilities, behavioral health and home health, preventive and fitness services, and an organization for medical research and education. For more information about Texas Health Resources, call 1-877-THR-WELL, or visit TexasHealth.org.
About Presbyterian Communities and Services
Located in the Dallas metroplex, Presbyterian Communities and Services (PC&S) is a not-for-profit organization of 5-Star rated independent and continuing care communities and leading hospice services. Founded in 2008, PC&S brings together Grace Presbyterian Village, Presbyterian Village North and Faith Presbyterian Hospice to offer a diverse range of programs and services to individuals of all faiths. The PC&S family is dedicated to the mission of enriching lives by extending exceptional care and empowering individuals to live their lives to the fullest. For more information, visit http://www.prescs.org.
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