Some patients may need the inpatient level of care to help them transition from hospitalized curative care to palliative care. Others receiving routine home care may have symptoms that become exacerbated. In such cases patients are admitted in inpatient care for a period of 10–15 days until symptoms are under control. If a patient’s needs cannot be managed at home, PallEx provides inpatient palliative care around the clock until the patient can return home.
Minor procedures or placement of a permanent drain or tube, severe agitated delirium, uncontrolled seizures, pain requires intensive intervention and are not manageable in the home setting. The atmosphere in an inpatient setting is markedly different from that of an acute care facility. It is a philosophy of care based on comfort and quality of life. The staff have time to talk with the patient, visit the family, answer questions. At the end of the day the goal is to manage symptoms and stabilize the patient so they can return home.