Pallative Care, Inpatient - Overview

Enter a home-like setting where a patient and family can gather for maximum comfort and optimum care. The 12-bed Palliative and Comfort Care Unit seeks to decrease the stress of the hospital setting with large rooms and hotel-like features that give patients and families the space they need to maneuver through difficult times.

 

The nationally-renowned UAB Center for Palliative and Supportive Care treats patients with advanced or life-threatening conditions. Some of the conditions commonly seen include cancer, heart failure, HIV, anorexia or other severe weight loss, trauma, genetic disorders, burn, sickle cell, transplant patients, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

 

Focusing on the whole person, the treatment team goes beyond physical suffering to address emotional, social, family and spiritual needs. Even the family pet can play a part in healing in the care unit.

 

A team of physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, counselors, massage and art therapists, works respectfully with the patient to preserve dignity and quality of life. Through compassionate care, the palliative care team guides patients from first diagnosis through every stage of illness. All along the way, we help them make decisions about their care to meet their need for comfort and quality of life.

 

The center also serves as a research and training facility to advance the treatment of patients who are suffering.  Our areas of focus include: