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| Abington Memorial Hospital |
| Abington Memorial Hospital Addresses Patients End-of-Life Needs with Opening of Hospice Unit at Warm |
| Date : - 06/06/2009 |
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Warminster, PA (April 6, 2009) - Abington Memorial Hospital has opened a new hospice unit on its Warminster campus which provides patients three levels of care at end-of-life. Abington Hospice at Warminster offers comfort and dignity to enhance the quality of life for patients at the end of their lives and was funded entirely by community donations. In just three months, $1.2 million was raised for the new facility.
Designed to embrace the patient, family and visitors, Abington Hospice at Warminster is a beautiful, new inpatient hospice unit, which provides end-of-life care in a comfortable, homelike and tranquil environment for patients and loved ones. Located on the third floor of the Main Building, Abington Health Center-Warminster Campus, this 19-bed, state-of-the-art, medical facility will offer inpatient, routine and respite level of care for patients who are unable or choose not to receive hospice services at home.
Abington Hospice at Warminster offers the following three levels of care
* Routine Hospice-Patients are stable, usually in the
early stages of hospice care. A registered nurse
provides care for symptom management.
* Inpatient level of care-Care that requires ongoing
monitoring by a registered nurse for acute symptom
management
* Respite care-This option is provided to address
caregiver fatigue. It is ideal for caregivers of at-
home hospice patients who need a break from their
daily duties, including a vacation, for up to five
days
Abington Hospice at Warminster was formerly an inpatient unit at Warminster Hospital. "In planning our renovations, we were able to design it specifically for the comfort and needs of hospice patients and their families," said Elissa Della Monica, executive director, Home Care and Hospice, Abington Memorial Hospital.
Nineteen private rooms with shower facilities offer accommodations for loved ones to stay overnight. The décor features soothing, warm shades with rich textures and beautiful wood finishes. Each room includes home-like furnishings, such as a television and music player, and patients are encouraged to bring their special items to make it feel like home. Each bed has a quilt, hand-made by hospital volunteers. After the patient's death, the quilt is given to his/her loved ones to hold dear.
Cozy seating areas are located throughout the unit, and a bright, full kitchen gives patients and families a place to gather to prepare a meal or snack. The unit also includes an activity room, family room with television, library, and a chapel is available on the ground floor of the building.
"Our professionals and volunteers have special training and a commitment to enhance the quality of our patients' last days, providing the support they need and enabling them to have their loved ones by their sides," said Della Monica. "Working with each patient and family, the staff develops a plan of care to meet the patient's needs and wishes, focusing on comfort, dignity and relieving symptoms, while providing social, emotional and spiritual support for both patient and family." Members of the team include a medical director, hospice director, nurse manager, nurses, social workers, volunteers, chaplain and a personal care technician.
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| Reference : - www.amh.org |
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