Does the consult service give people the sort of ongoing care that home health care would provide?
MT: We see these patients on a regular basis, sometimes every week, if necessary. We might have to do this if there’s no other way to get these people care. Let’s say I start them on treatment, and they can’t get to me; we’re going to have to go out to them. And that’s where the nurse practitioner piece really helps because I might do the original consult, and then my nurse practitioner goes out and sees them in follow-up. She makes sure that they’re responding to treatment, and so forth. Physical therapy may be ordered by the attending physician, whose report and input can be integrated in the team assessment. But the person may not qualify for true home care, and without our consult service these people would be without support. These are definitely the “gap people.” Gateway to Other PCCHNS Services: Consultation Extends its Reach What percentage of your clients have their initial contact with your organization through the palliative care consult service versus those who are already
