Background
The Palliative Care and Quality of Life Interdisciplinary Advisory Council (PCAC) was established within the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) by Senate Bill 608 in the 2015 legislative session. The legislation seeks to improve the lives of children, youths, adults and the elderly who would benefit from palliative care and to facilitate access through better coordination of care.
What Is Palliative Care?
Palliative care means patient-centered and family-centered medical care that optimizes a patient's quality of life by anticipating, preventing and treating the suffering caused by serious illness and involves addressing the patient's physical, social and spiritual needs and facilitating the patient's authority, access to information and choice. Palliative care includes, but is not limited to:
- Discussing a patient's goals for treatment;
- Discussing the treatment options that are appropriate for the patient; and
- Comprehensive pain and symptom management.
The Difference Between Palliative Care & Hospice
[DRAFT] Quality of life is not a healthcare ocutome reserved for the end of life. It is a fundamental concern throughout the experience of serious illness, caregiving, recovery and living with uncertainty. Palliative care is a combination of specialized medical care and other services that focuses on improving quality of life by preventing and relieving suffering, managing symptoms, and supporting patients and families as they navigate serious illness. It can be provided alongside curative or life-prolonging treatments at any stage of illness. Hospice is a specific type of care for individuals who are approaching the end of life and focuses on comfort rather than curative treatment. While all hospice care can be included as Palliative care, not all palliative care is hospice care.
Upcoming Meetings
PCAC Meeting Schedule
Upcoming Meetings
PCAC Meeting Documents
Meeting Documents