Allied Services Hospice & Palliative Care Demonstrates Commitment to Serving Patients during Coronavirus Pandemic
Allied Services Hospice & Palliative Care joins hundreds of hospice and community-based palliative care providers in signing national commitment letter.
Allied Services Hospice & Palliative Care joins hundreds of hospice and community-based palliative care provider members of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) in adding their name to the national Commitment to Care sign-on letter. This letter demonstrates a groundswell of support from hospice and palliative care providers who are committed to serving patients and families impacted by COVID-19.
The Commitment to Care letter reads in part: Patients impacted by the coronavirus rely on the interdisciplinary, person-centered care that the community-based hospice and palliative community provide. The hospice philosophy of care focuses on caring for the whole person by addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, and is provided by an interdisciplinary team comprised of physicians, nurses, social workers, home health aides, chaplains, bereavement professionals, volunteers, and allied therapists. The hospice and community-based palliative care providers who signed on to NHPCO’s letter are demonstrating their commitment to continue to treat patients, ensuring that patients do not die alone, and in some cases saving lives.
Allied Services Hospice & Palliative Care is a division of Allied Services Integrated Health System. During COVID-19, the non-profit health system has provided life-sustaining care and services to between 2,500 and 4,000 people in homes and facilities throughout northeastern and central Pennsylvania. This includes providing hands-on and support services to almost 300 hospice and palliative care patients daily.
“The negative impact of social isolation alone during this pandemic has strengthened our resolve to be there for our patients and their families. Now, more than ever, it is crucial that we find a way to provide the care and support that our patients need during some of life’s toughest moments. We stand with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in reaffirming our commitment to serving our patients” commented Laura Marion, Assistant Vice President, Allied Services Hospice & Palliative Care.
Throughout the pandemic, Allied Services Hospice & Palliative Care has continued to provide care to patients in their own home. Utlizing appropriate personal protective equipment, Allied Services medical staff, our pastoral and social work staff have been able to visit patients and provide much needed support. In addition, Allied Services Hospice Center in Scranton, PA, has adapted to serve the community’s needs. An isolation unit was created within the 8 bed inpatient hospice to provide care for COVID positive patients.
“I am proud that so many NHPCO members have been stepping forward to care for patients impacted by COVID-19 during this public health crisis. The hospice and palliative care community has faced similar unknowns in the past with the HIV/AIDS epidemic. We did not run away during uncertain times – instead, we chose to care for patients in need with honor and respect, and we will continue to fulfill that mission today,” said NHPCO President and CEO Edo Banach.
More information about hospice, palliative care, and advance care planning is available at alliedservices.org or from NHPCO’s CaringInfo.org.
