Palliative Care Programs Growing

More U.S. hospitals are adding palliative care programs, the Associated Press (AP) reports. Palliative care teams deal with emotional and comfort needs of people with serious illnesses. They help to coordinate care and reduce pain and side effects. They deal with concerns of patients and their families. They are different from hospice programs. People don’t just receive palliative care in the final stage of an illness. They can receive it at the same time they get treatment to extend life. In 2000, about 25% of U.S. hospitals had a palliative care programs, according to the Center to Advance Palliative Care. By 2009, about 63% had these programs. AP wrote about the trend June 3.