Palliative care can give your patients relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious illness and can improve their quality of life. And a palliative care consult will encourage the goals of care conversations with patients and families.
For your patients, a telehealth palliative care consult is now available. Our resources for healthcare professionals can help you determine when your patients are ready for this level of care.
What Are the Triggers for a Palliative Care Telehealth Consult?
A telehealth palliative care consult is appropriate for a patient with a serious or chronic illness who:
- Has experienced a functional decline and/or unexplained weight loss
- Has had two or more hospitalizations or ER visits within three months for management of symptoms
- Has treatment wishes that are not aligned with those of their family or caregiver
- Is considering a permanent feeding tube
- Patients with new or exacerbated illness and or multiple comorbidities.
- Is having uncontrolled or debilitating symptoms despite optimal medical management
What Is Needed for a Palliative Care Telehealth Consult?
- Patient Information: Demographic sheet, H&P, MD notes, recent lab values or test results, recent hospitalization reports and insurance information
- Physician order
- Completed referral form
- Zoom video technology via computer, smartphone, or tablet
Note: If none of these technologies are available, a consult may be performed over the phone.
What Can Telehealth Palliative Care Help Manage?
- Disease Co-management
- Medication Management
- Symptom Management
- Spiritual and
- Psychosocial Stress
- Advanced Care Planning or Goals of Care
How Do I Bring Up Palliative Care with a Patient or Family?
Position palliative care as additional assistance for patients and families: “I would like to tell you about a program that could add an extra layer of support for you.
Contact one of our palliative care locations for options and information.
- Download this page as a PDF (PDF, 300 KB)
- Paying for palliative care
