Northwest Community Hospital is the only hospital in Illinois to be named a LIVESTRONG® Community Impact Project award recipient. Learn more here.

How the palliative care team is here for you

At Northwest Community Hospital, our palliative care team knows that managing an acute or complex illness can be difficult for you and your loved ones—both physically and emotionally. A stay at the hospital can be even more stressful as you juggle symptoms, treatments, and physical or emotional discomfort.

That’s why NCH has partnered with Midwest Palliative & Hospice CareCenter to bring you specialized palliative medicine clinicians who are experienced with coordinating complex medical care focused on your comfort and healing. We’ll help you understand your prognosis and comfort care options while also providing support to loved ones.

NCH is the first hospital in Illinois and among the first 10 acute care hospitals in the nation to receive Advanced Certification for Palliative Care from The Joint Commission, ensuring that patients and families are receiving comprehensive and holistic palliative care services that meet specific standards.

What is palliative care?

It’s important to know that palliative care is not the same as hospice care. Palliative care is for anyone with a serious illness that causes discomfort, anxiety or other physical or emotional distress. This specialized type of care aims to improve your comfort and quality of life by relieving symptoms associated with a serious illness.

Palliative care can begin at any stage of a life-altering illness, simultaneously with treatments that have cure or recovery as a goal. Palliative medicine specialists work together with you, your family and your doctor to deliver a personalized palliative care plan that provides comfort, aids in recovery and improves your quality of life.

With the aim of helping to enhance your medical care and manage your illness, the palliative care team can:

• Clarify information about your treatment care options
• Assess and treat your pain and other symptoms
• Help you coordinate the care you are receiving from multiple specialists
• Provide emotional and spiritual support for you and your family

How palliative care works

Palliative care is a consultative service, meaning that at the request of your doctor, palliative medicine specialists evaluate your condition to help you make informed treatment decisions. Our specialists work together with you, your family and your doctor to relieve and manage your symptoms, coordinate your care, and identify additional support services that can help you continue to live well during and after your hospital stay.

Our multidisciplinary team of palliative medicine specialists includes:

• Midwest CareCenter physicians and advanced practice nurses
• Your personal doctor, as well as other specialists coordinating your care
• Hospital clinicians, social workers, nutritionists and chaplains

Palliative care services are available during your stay at the hospital, and our specialists can coordinate follow-up care at your home or another medical facility.

If you think palliative care might be right for you or your loved one, please discuss with your doctor. Or call Midwest Palliative & Hospice CareCenter at 847.467.7423 to schedule a consultation.