Community Palliative Care Program

The Community Palliative Care Program is a collaboration among community healthcare providers:  the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara, Hospice of Santa Barbara, and Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care.

The following services are available:

  • Comprehensive Symptom Management Clinic
  • Assist in transitions across care settings
  • Home visits
  • Phone consultations
  • Physician consultations

The Community Palliative Care Team will work collaboratively with the primary treating physician and offers assistance with:  pain and symptom management; psychosocial support; spiritual support through community resources; goals of care discussions; and advance care planning.

The service is time-limited as the goal is to maximize each individual's quality of life through the optimal use of available resources.

What is Palliative Care? 

Palliative care refers to patient and family centered care that optimizes quality of life by treating pain and other symptoms as well as emotional and spiritual needs.  It addresses the current needs and future goals of the patient and family with an emphasis on peace and dignity.  The core principal of palliative care is to alleviate suffering throughout the disease course.

Palliative care can be provided at the same time as life-prolonging  treatment.  It can be offered together with other medical treatments and can begin early on in the illness, even at the time of diagnosis.

Comprehensive Symptom Management Clinic

The Clinic operated by the Community Palliative Care Program consists of a team which includes:  a physician, a nurse, and a social worker who are specially trained in palliative care.  The Team will provide assessment, treatment, and referrals to other services.

A diagnosis and / or plan for treatment can be provided to patients suffering from:

  • Pain
  • Nausea/ Diarrhea/ Constipation
  • Insomnia/ Fatigue/ Lethargy
  • Agitation/ Anxiety/ Depression/ Mental Status Changes
  • Anorexia/ Weight Loss

Program Hours & Location

The Comprehensive Symptom Management Clinic will be held at 300 West Pueblo Street on Tuesdays from 1:00 - 5:00p.m.  Home visits will be conducted by the nursing and social work staff as needed.

 

Contact Information

To contact a member of the Palliative Care Team, please call (805) 690-6212.

Patients, family members or caregivers who think that they may benefit from a referral to the Comprehensive Symptom Management Clinic, please consult with your primary treating physician.