Palliative Care Services Hospital Partnerships
Midwest CareCenter Palliative Care Services is proud to partner with local hospitals such as Northwest Community Hospital and Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital. Our palliative care specialists work closely with your physicians and other healthcare professionals in hospital settings to identify care and treatment options that will improve quality of life. This care is proven to be beneficial at any stage of a serious illness—and the earlier, the better. We work to understand patient needs and what is important to both patient and family, so that they can feel better and live better during and after treatment.
Navigating a complex healthcare system can be very challenging, especially when you are ill. The Palliative Care Services team also serves as advocates and guides to help you and your family access further care and support when you need it. They will see you when you are hospitalized, but can also follow-up with you when you are in skilled rehabilitation programs or at home.
Northwest Community Hospital
In 2010, Midwest CareCenter and Northwest Community Hospital (NCH) forged a partnership to provide palliative care services to patients with a range of life-altering illnesses and conditions, including cancer, heart disease and lung disease. This year, NCH’s Palliative Care Program became the first in Illinois and among the first of ten acute care hospitals in the nation to earn Advanced Certification for Palliative Care from The Joint Commission, the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in healthcare. This new certification was established in late 2011 to set standards and acknowledge hospitals that provide comprehensive and holistic palliative care services to patients and families.
In April 2012, NCH was announced as a LIVESTRONG® Community Impact Project award recipient, which was the result of more than 4,000 community votes in support of NCH receiving a $10,000 financial award from the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital
Launched in 2012, our dynamic partnership combines the palliative medicine specialists of Midwest CareCenter with the healthcare professionals of Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital. The Midwest CareCenter Palliative Care Services team is available to support the care of hospital patients, families and the Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital healthcare team.
Palliative care practitioners work with patients, families and physicians to clarify the goals of care, the practical needs of patients and families, and the overall impact of the illness. The program benefits patients who:
- Need symptom management support, including treating pain, dyspnea, nausea, anxiety or depression.
- Have issues related to progressive or age-related conditions that limit independence or the ability to live fully.
- Need help with identifying the physical, psychological, spiritual and practical burdens of illness.
How do I pay for palliative care?
Medicare (Part B), Medicaid and private insurance generally cover palliative care services. Midwest CareCenter will work with you and your family to ensure continued access to all services. Fees are waived or reduced if you do not have insurance or the ability to pay for services.
For more information about our hospital partnerships or to refer a patient, please contact the Palliative Care Services team at (847) 467-7423.
