Palliative Care Services
Meriter Hospital, Palliative Care Services
202 S. Park Street
Madison, WI 53715
(608) 417-6000
Meriter Hospital offers the services of a Palliative Care Team whose goal is
to relieve suffering and improve the quality of life for patients with incurable
or life-limiting illness, and their families. While it serves mainly on a
consultative level, the team is available to assist in managing patients.
Patients don't need to be at the end of life to benefit from palliative care services. They may still request curative treatments and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Why does Meriter offer palliative care services?
In the absence of clarity regarding prognosis and treatment goals in patients with life-limiting illness, the care plan often followed can lead to costly, challenging and prolonged hospital stays while attempting curative treatment. By providing humane, ethical treatment that addresses distressing physical and emotional symptoms such as pain, dyspnea and anxiety, Meriter's Palliative Care Team assists patients in living out their days with the highest quality possible.
As our country's population ages and the number of people living with complex, advanced illnesses continues to grow, we experience an increased need for palliative care. Currently, one in four hospitals in the United States report having an active palliative care program. By improving patient outcomes and meeting quality standards on pain and other issues, palliative care programs help hospitals maintain Joint Commission quality and pain standards.
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Related Meriter Departments
Learn About Advance Medical Directives
You can learn about medical directives and print off four Wisconsin-specific forms in our Advance Medical Directives section.
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Which patients would be appropriate for a Palliative Care Team referral?
- Patients diagnosed with incurable illnesses who are struggling with:
- Unremitting symptoms such as pain, nausea, anxiety or dyspnea
- Spiritual or emotional distress
- Lack of clarity regarding prognosis and goals of treatment
- Support concerns and disposition issues
- Patients with malignant disease not responding to curative therapies
- Patients with multi-organ system failure not responding to aggressive care
- Elderly patients with multiple medical problems, frequent hospitalizations, poor functional status and poor quality of life
- Patients with advanced congestive heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
What are the goals of Meriter's Palliative Care Team?
- Improve patients outcomes through expert symptom control.
- Facilitate discussion and decision-making regarding goals of treatment among patients, families, and their primary care providers.
- Provide comprehensive emotional and spiritual support in a culturally sensitive manner as patients near death.
- Assist in transitions to appropriate post-hospital care settings.
- Minimize the unnecessary use of testing and treatments that won't benefit the patient.
Who makes up the Palliative Care Team?
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Dr. Amanda duPreez, Medical Director
"We are here to support patients and their families who are facing
the complexities of life-limiting illness, as well as the health care
providers whom these patients rely upon."
Dr. duPreez earned her medical degree at the University of North Dakota
School of Medicine & Health Sciences. She completed her internship and
residency at UW Hospital and Clinics, and a fellowship in palliative
medicine, also at UW Hospital and Clinics. Dr. duPreez grew up on a farm
in North Dakota, and enjoys reading and spending time with family.
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Carrie Bennett, MS, RN, Clinical Nurse Specialist
"I chose nursing as a career because it offers a wonderful balance
of fulfillment, challenge, and opportunity."
Carrie Bennett has worked at Meriter as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in
Geriatrics since 2005. She received her Bachelor of Nursing degree from
the University of Iowa and her Master of Nursing degree from the
University of Wisconsin. She has a special interest in the knowledge,
experiences, and stories of older adult patients who she feels teach her
far more about being a nurse than textbooks can.
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Susi Petta, RN, Nursing Coordinator
"I believe that every patient should have the best quality of life
that they choose. It is my deep desire to ensure that the needs and the
wishes of the patient are met."
Susi brings to the team an extensive nursing background working in home
care and hospice in the rural setting. Most recently, she worked in the
inpatient unit at HospiceCare Inc. Her special interest is providing
care and advocacy to patients who have complex medical needs. Susi
graduated from Madison General School of Nursing and received her
Bachelor of Nursing from Viterbo University.
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Kathleen Ziemba, MSW, LCSW, Social Work Supervisor
"The earlier palliative care services are made available to patients
and families, the more our team can bring to the table. Planning ahead
can make a world of difference to people coping with complex
situations."
Kathleen brings significant experience in advance care planning and
supporting patients and their families to live with dignity and hope
while coping with illness, loss and the end-of-life. Kathleen and her
team helps facilitate conversations with patients, families and their
health care teams in making health care decisions and treatment choices
that best reflect the patient's goals, values, philosophies, and
preferences for care throughout life's journey. Kathleen obtained a
Master of Social Work degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago
and has served as a clinical social worker and grief counselor in
hospitals and hospice organizations for more than 20 years.
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How do I find out more about Meriter's Palliative Care Team?
For questions regarding Meriter's Palliative Care Team services or
philosophy, please call (608) 417-6000 and ask to speak with a
member of the Palliative Care Team.
Palliative Care Team consultations can be requested by physician order. Please
call the operator at (608) 417-6000 for urgent consultations.
This service is made possible through a grant from the Meriter Foundation.
4/17/2009
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