Delaware Hospice Partners with Nanticoke Health Services
to Provide Palliative Care

(Seaford, Del.) – Delaware Hospice is excited to announce its partnership with Nanticoke Health Services to strengthen and grow palliative care in Sussex County.

Through the joint venture, both organizations will be able to provide a better assessment of the community’s medical needs through palliative care. Palliative care helps seriously ill patients who are receiving active, curative treatment. The care provided encompasses assistance to deal with the physical and psychosocial burdens of a serious illness through visits with a physician and/or nurse practitioner. The onset of a serious illness impacts not only the patient, but the family’s quality of life in so many ways. Patients and their families must cope with debilitating symptoms, coordination of medical appointments and comprehend new medical terminology, while making difficult decisions for treatment options. Palliative care will work with patients and their caregivers to identify goals while managing symptoms.

The goals identified for the initiative are for Delaware Palliative, a program of Delaware Hospice, to assist Nanticoke in expansion and provide support for the palliative care services that are already in place; improve care transitions and coordination as patients return home; and enhance the advance care planning for inpatients, outpatients, and Cancer Care Center patients at Nanticoke Health Services. Delaware Palliative will also continue to provide continuing education on palliative care services for providers, clinical staff, and the local community.
Delaware Hospice has been a trusted community partner in end of life education and support in Delaware since 1982. Delaware Palliative is entering its 5th year under the direction of Delaware Hospice. Nanticoke Health Services includes the Nanticoke Physician Network and Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, a well-established, community-based hospital serving Western Sussex County.

“Nanticoke is excited to be working with Delaware Hospice on our palliative care initiatives,” said Penny Short, RN, Chief Operating and Nursing Officer of Nanticoke Health Services. “We currently have a strong base, but with additional support our program can grow and become stronger. This is an important program and by partnering with the experts at Delaware Hospice, we hope to positively impact more lives of patients suffering with serious illnesses.”

Susan Lloyd, MSN, RN, President and CEO of Delaware Hospice, spoke about the new initiative, “Delaware Hospice looks forward to cultivating this partnership and we hope to develop through time a more state-wide encompassing, supportive end of life care program for all Delawareans.”

Since 1982, Delaware Hospice has provided the highest quality hospice and healthcare services, and serves as a trusted community partner in end-of-life education and support. Accredited by the Joint Commission, Delaware Hospice continues to be the largest and only licensed, non-profit, community-based hospice serving Delaware. Now also providing care in Pennsylvania; southern Chester and Delaware counties. For more information about Delaware Hospice’s programs and services, upcoming events, or employment opportunities, call 800-838-9800 or visit our website, www.delawarehospice.org.

Nanticoke Health Services includes Nanticoke Memorial Hospital and the Nanticoke Physician Network. Nanticoke Health Services has been consecutively recognized among the Top 150 Places to Work in Healthcare by Becker’s Hospital Review. Nanticoke Memorial Hospital holds a Level III Trauma Center certification and received a 4-star rating for 2016 by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Nanticoke is nationally certified by the Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center and is a Gold Plus Award performer according to the American Heart/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® program. Nanticoke’s Cancer Care Services holds Accreditation from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer and is a member of the Association of Community Cancer Centers. Nanticoke’s medical staff includes over 160 health care providers practicing in 40 different specialties.