Palliative Care Services

UPMC Cancer Centers utilizes the UPMC Comprehensive Palliative Care Program (PCP) to extend its array of cancer care services. The Program includes a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals dedicated to providing comprehensive and coordinated care to patients with life-limiting illnesses and to their families. The palliative care team works with a patient's primary medical team to provide symptom management, family support, psychosocial care and spiritual care, as well as to assist with discharge planning and integrate inpatient services with outpatient and home-based programs.

Patients and their families are given consultations regarding prognosis, care goals and options and education on psychosocial, spiritual and financial concerns. These consultations are shared with the patient's referring physician, as well as with the nursing staff and other healthcare providers.

The palliative care team cares for patients while in the hospital and works with many programs, such as home care, hospice and nursing homes, to support patients after they leave the hospital. Support and comfort are given to the patient's family while they are caring for the patient and during their bereavement.

In addition to the inpatient consultation service, the PCP Outpatient Clinic provides care for those who are not yet hospitalized for their illness and for recently hospitalized patients. The team's goal is to maintain the highest quality of life for the longest possible time. The team develops a treatment plan that may include dealing with symptoms such as pain, nausea and anxiety; planning for home care and hospice; and coping with psychological and spiritual concerns.

• Visit the UPMC Comprehensive Palliative Care Program Web Site
• See also: Outpatient Pain Program

For more information about any of the services available at UPMC Cancer Centers, please call the UPMC Cancer Centers Information and Referral Service at 412-647-2811 or send us an e-mail via "Ask a Question Online."

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