Information for Physicians

The growing population of chronically ill people living with progressive, complex, life-limiting conditions presents challenges to our present system of medical care.

Too often, this population experiences an extended gap in home care services and repetitive, costly readmissions to the hospital.

• A patient may be actively involved in curative care but not be home bound (excluding them from home health)
• A patient may have a terminal diagnosis but prefer to continue care (excluding them from hospice services)

Palliative Care offers three to five consultative visits for this patient population. Focusing on the physical, functional, social, emotional, psychological, existential and spiritual needs of patients and families, the Palliative Care staff works closely with each patient, the patient's physician, allied healthcare providers and health plan case managers to create an individualized, comprehensive, coordinated care plan.

Palliative Care assists the patient to live as comfortably as possible for as long as possible wherever the patient resides and, as needed, creates a bridge to home health or hospice services.

Palliative Care is appropriate for patients who have a progressive, life-limiting condition and are experiencing:

• Multiple hospitalizations for medical stabilization
• Declining ability to complete activities of daily living
• Continuing need for pain and symptom relief
• Uncertainty regarding prognosis or goals of care
• Psychosocial, existential and spiritual concerns

A Palliative Care referral requires a physician order. To request Palliative Care:

• Call the Palliative Care office at 425.899.3224 to obtain a referral form
• Fax the completed form to 425.899.3305
• The intake staff will call to confirm the order and receive information on goals of the referral
• The intake staff will then call the patient and/or family to schedule a meeting with the patient
• Following the consultation visit, the Palliative Care clinician will report back to the ordering physician and provide information on goals of care that were discussed with the patient and family

For more information, contact Evergreen Palliative Care Services:

Phone: 425.899.3265
Fax: 425.899.3305
E-mail: Evergreen Palliative Care Services