Olympic Medical Center to get hospice beds
By Rob Ollikainen
Peninsula Daily News
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OMC's board of hospital commissioners voted 6-0 on Aug. 19 to approve the development of inpatient hospice beds.
"We've been looking at this for over a year," said Eric Lewis, chief executive officer of OMC.
"Many hospitals, if not most hospitals, have inpatient hospice beds. I think it's an important addition to our services here in the community."
Lorraine Wall, OMC's chief nursing officer, said the beds will assist hospice patients who require hospitalization for symptom and pain management.
Wall, along with Olympic Medical Home Health administrator Fran Sisson, told the board Aug. 5 that the beds will improve end-of-life care at OMC and improve the continuity of care for patients and their families.
Olympic Medical Center will work with Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County, Assured Hospice or any other hospice agency.
The service will cost $590 a day.
The idea is to treat the patients at OMC and send them back home.
The proposal for the beds had been endorsed by OMC's Medical Executive Committee.
Officials at the Port Angeles hospital hope to make the beds available Oct. 1.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
Last modified: August 27. 2009 11:39PM
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