NHPCO Releases Findings from Palliative Care Needs Survey at National Conference Focusing on Interdisciplinary Team

New Orleans, LA, November 05, 2018 --(PR.com)-- Nearly 1,000 hospice and palliative care professionals have gathered at the Hyatt Regency for the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s 2018 Interdisciplinary Conference. One of the many highlights of the event is the release of a new report, NHPCO Palliative Care Needs Survey Results (PDF).

“As the seriously ill population grows exponentially, so does the need for community-based palliative care and we know that our members are offering these needed services throughout the country,” said NHPCO President and CEO Edo Banach. “The intention of our Palliative Care Needs Survey was to find out more about services that programs are providing, challenges they face, and ways that NHPCO can support the development and sustainability of community-based palliative care.”

In June and July of 2018, NHPCO conducted a palliative care needs survey of its membership. Forty-eight states are represented in the survey results that are shared in the new report.

“NHPCO recognizes the importance of supporting our members in caring for the growing population of seriously ill individuals. The survey provides a snapshot of our members and demonstrates that many are already providing care further upstream from hospice,” said NHPCO Vice President of Palliative and Serious Illness Care Lori Bishop.

Highlights from the Palliative Care Needs Survey Results:

88 percent of survey participants are involved in community-based palliative care: 53 percent of survey participants are already providing palliative care services while 35 percent are in the process of developing a palliative care program.

Over 70 percent of these programs have been in existence for three years or more.

In 2017, more than 85,100 seriously ill individuals and their families were served by survey participants.

“We will use the survey results to develop tools and resources that expand access to palliative care services for the seriously ill and their families,” added Bishop.

Highlights of the IDC 2018 include a roster of distinguished plenary speakers, release of the National Consensus Project’s Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care, 4th edition, presentation of the Volunteers are the Foundation of Hospice Awards, the “Hospice on the River” fundraiser held in conjunction with the Louisiana Mississippi Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, more than 70 concurrent sessions, networking opportunities, and more.

NHPCO extends appreciation to the Interdisciplinary Team Conference supporters for their commitment to the success of IDC 2018:

Silver Level: Brightree; We Remember by ancestry.
Bronze Level: StateServ – Hospicelink.
Copper Level: Home Healthcare Solutions, A Cardinal Health Company; Consolo.
Pewter Level: Delta Care.

Contact:
Jon Radulovic
NHPCO, Vice President of Communications
Cell: 703-340-6201
Office: 703-837-3139

NHPCO is the oldest and largest nonprofit membership organization representing hospice and palliative care programs and professionals in the United States. NHPCO’s mission is to lead and mobilize social change for improved care at the end of life.