The SMJH Palliative Care Team
August 2023
The SMJH Palliative Care Team
Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital
Charlottesville
,
VA
United States
Peggy Bishop, RN, MS, ANP-BC, ACHPN,
Lyndsey Lantz, MSN, AGNP-C
Deveryn Bailey MSN, FNP-C
Kate Landis, RN, BSN
Aurora Durkee Warren, RN, BSN
Paula Capobianco, LCSW
Alexandra McGee, MDiv, BCC
Rebekah Getz, RN
Lyndsey Lantz, MSN, AGNP-C
Deveryn Bailey MSN, FNP-C
Kate Landis, RN, BSN
Aurora Durkee Warren, RN, BSN
Paula Capobianco, LCSW
Alexandra McGee, MDiv, BCC
Rebekah Getz, RN
The palliative care team is an exceptional multidisciplinary team (NPs, RNs, Chaplain, massage therapists, and LCSW) and every member of the team makes a significant impact on patients' lives, their families, and the rest of the care team. Every member of this team exudes compassion. The ICU collaborated with some of the palliative care team to develop a trigger for palliative care. Here are just a few of many notes of appreciation they have received due to the significant impact they make:
“Thanks for your acts of kindness during our time of sorrow. Your help and compassion were so great that we wouldn’t have made it through without you. We are forever indebted." Your care and concern were such a blessing during this difficult time for the X Family. Your kindness to X was awesome.
***
WOW: During my leader rounds I saw Alex sitting and singing with a patient. I almost joined in but didn’t want to interrupt the beautiful moment! Thank you for your compassion!
***
Thanks to the Palliative Care Team for the lovely rose remembering X's 97th birthday tomorrow. 97 years! Amazing.
***
Aurora, Thank you for sharing your knowledge on ACPs. I am sorry that I was unable to attend myself but heard such wonderful things about this event from Dr. Castillo.
***
Hello Aurora--I wanted to say “thanks” again for your participation in the Pall Med Learning Collaborative last Thursday. You and the other expert Panelists were amazing and imparted wonderful knowledge to our audience. I haven’t gotten the official numbers yet, but looked like there were over 65 participants in the session. Truly appreciate your expertise and willingness to share your experiences. Thank you.
***
A patient described to me that she had trouble sleeping here in the hospital with the various lines, wires, and tubes connected to her body: “at home, I toss and turn.” She went on to say that a procedure today had been challenging. She happily described that the relief came in the form of the massage therapist from the Palliative Care Team, who “gently touched my hands --- so gently --- and my feet and neck” and that helped her finally feel peaceful.”
***
Dear Deveryn, Kate and Alex, Thank you all for the sympathy card you sent concerning my father X. We all appreciate your thoughtfulness so much. His illness was made that much easier by your kind care and concern.
***
WOW: Paula is a very kind and compassionate Social Worker for our Palliative Care Team. Her kind assistance has been an inspiration to me and I feel fortunate to work with her at Sentara MJH. Thank you for always being around to listen to the challenges that come with our patients and help me to do my job. I don’t know what I would do without your sympathetic ear and sound advice, along with always having the patient’s best interest. You are truly a patient’s advocate.
***
Lyndsey - So nice to meet you today - even if under dreadful circumstances. I appreciate your time and expertise today; my Mother was impressed with you!
***
I have included some information about volume trends year over year. Their volume continues to grow. They are not only providing excellent patient care, they are involved in professional development, providing education, and developing others. A few examples:
Aurora completed her maintenance packet for her Clin II which was accepted, Paula requested and received a grant for $925 to get 25 pocket talkers to improve patient communication, and Alex wrote an article in the SMJH magazine about Melodious Speech. Lyndsey was on the news talking about Advanced Directives and the Palliative team manages and facilitates Schwartz rounds. Below is a list of the team and their committee work or involvement:
Paula: Weekly Complex Care Rounds, Schwartz Rounds, Haney Planning Committee, Mind Body Stress Reduction Class
Aurora: Ethics, Complex Care Leadership, Mortality Rounds, Schwartz Rounds, Regional Advance Care Planning Team
Alex: Resiliency, Charlottesville Clergy Collective, Schwartz Rounds Planning Committee
Kate: Nurse Residency Program, SHIPP mentor
Deveryn: ICU Collaboration, Weekly Complex Care Rounds, Murphy-Deming PA preceptor; UVa NP Preceptor
Peggy: Cancer Center Committee, Complex Care Steering & Leadership, Haney Planning Committee, Schwartz Rounds, Mortality Rounds, Sentara Palliative Medicine Quality & Performance Committee; CHF Disease Focused Length of Stay Steering Committee
Lyndsey: Weekly Complex Care Rounds, Recruitment & Retention Committee; Ethics
Their work has a significant impact on patient satisfaction as noted by the comments made by patients, families, and staff. They also have the highest penetration rate of all Sentara hospitals and the highest rate of hospice use which impacts the mortality ratio. SMJH has one of the lowest mortality rates and LOS and with the high palliative care penetration rate, they are certainly impacting these outcomes. The clinic visits could also be impacting the readmission rates and the involvement of the palliative team in complex care rounds is very valuable.
“Thanks for your acts of kindness during our time of sorrow. Your help and compassion were so great that we wouldn’t have made it through without you. We are forever indebted." Your care and concern were such a blessing during this difficult time for the X Family. Your kindness to X was awesome.
***
WOW: During my leader rounds I saw Alex sitting and singing with a patient. I almost joined in but didn’t want to interrupt the beautiful moment! Thank you for your compassion!
***
Thanks to the Palliative Care Team for the lovely rose remembering X's 97th birthday tomorrow. 97 years! Amazing.
***
Aurora, Thank you for sharing your knowledge on ACPs. I am sorry that I was unable to attend myself but heard such wonderful things about this event from Dr. Castillo.
***
Hello Aurora--I wanted to say “thanks” again for your participation in the Pall Med Learning Collaborative last Thursday. You and the other expert Panelists were amazing and imparted wonderful knowledge to our audience. I haven’t gotten the official numbers yet, but looked like there were over 65 participants in the session. Truly appreciate your expertise and willingness to share your experiences. Thank you.
***
A patient described to me that she had trouble sleeping here in the hospital with the various lines, wires, and tubes connected to her body: “at home, I toss and turn.” She went on to say that a procedure today had been challenging. She happily described that the relief came in the form of the massage therapist from the Palliative Care Team, who “gently touched my hands --- so gently --- and my feet and neck” and that helped her finally feel peaceful.”
***
Dear Deveryn, Kate and Alex, Thank you all for the sympathy card you sent concerning my father X. We all appreciate your thoughtfulness so much. His illness was made that much easier by your kind care and concern.
***
WOW: Paula is a very kind and compassionate Social Worker for our Palliative Care Team. Her kind assistance has been an inspiration to me and I feel fortunate to work with her at Sentara MJH. Thank you for always being around to listen to the challenges that come with our patients and help me to do my job. I don’t know what I would do without your sympathetic ear and sound advice, along with always having the patient’s best interest. You are truly a patient’s advocate.
***
Lyndsey - So nice to meet you today - even if under dreadful circumstances. I appreciate your time and expertise today; my Mother was impressed with you!
***
I have included some information about volume trends year over year. Their volume continues to grow. They are not only providing excellent patient care, they are involved in professional development, providing education, and developing others. A few examples:
Aurora completed her maintenance packet for her Clin II which was accepted, Paula requested and received a grant for $925 to get 25 pocket talkers to improve patient communication, and Alex wrote an article in the SMJH magazine about Melodious Speech. Lyndsey was on the news talking about Advanced Directives and the Palliative team manages and facilitates Schwartz rounds. Below is a list of the team and their committee work or involvement:
Paula: Weekly Complex Care Rounds, Schwartz Rounds, Haney Planning Committee, Mind Body Stress Reduction Class
Aurora: Ethics, Complex Care Leadership, Mortality Rounds, Schwartz Rounds, Regional Advance Care Planning Team
Alex: Resiliency, Charlottesville Clergy Collective, Schwartz Rounds Planning Committee
Kate: Nurse Residency Program, SHIPP mentor
Deveryn: ICU Collaboration, Weekly Complex Care Rounds, Murphy-Deming PA preceptor; UVa NP Preceptor
Peggy: Cancer Center Committee, Complex Care Steering & Leadership, Haney Planning Committee, Schwartz Rounds, Mortality Rounds, Sentara Palliative Medicine Quality & Performance Committee; CHF Disease Focused Length of Stay Steering Committee
Lyndsey: Weekly Complex Care Rounds, Recruitment & Retention Committee; Ethics
Their work has a significant impact on patient satisfaction as noted by the comments made by patients, families, and staff. They also have the highest penetration rate of all Sentara hospitals and the highest rate of hospice use which impacts the mortality ratio. SMJH has one of the lowest mortality rates and LOS and with the high palliative care penetration rate, they are certainly impacting these outcomes. The clinic visits could also be impacting the readmission rates and the involvement of the palliative team in complex care rounds is very valuable.