Palliative care services have grown substantially since 2009. Initially, oncology inpatients alone comprised almost all of the patient population. However, the scope of patient care broadened to include all adult diagnoses with a new emphasis on heart failure. The span of palliative care is now outside the scope of the oncology specialty, thus providing an opportunity to manage our population differently.
On March 1, 2016, all palliative care services will transfer from the oncology service line to the Salem Health Medical Group (formerly Willamette Health Partners-WHP).
All current palliative care inpatient and outpatient services will continue in their current state. For new patients, palliative care has a new referral form.
While we evaluate this transition, the cancer survivorship patients will continue to be seen in the palliative care outpatient clinic by Julie Hinson, NP, under the direction of Nancy Boutin, MD, medical director of palliative care/Salem Cancer Institute.