Palliative Care

At Southampton Hospital, we are dedicated to providing specialized care to patients facing serious illness. Our patient-centered philosophy encompasses all aspects of the patient’s experience.  The focus of our palliative care service is to reduce the severity of disease symptoms and the goal is to relieve suffering and improve quality of life.  

What is palliative care?

Palliative care includes prevention, identification, and treatment of suffering through assessment of the physical, psychosocial, intellectual, and spiritual needs of the patient. The goal is to support and optimize the patient’s quality of life.  Palliative care ensures a partnership between practitioner, patient, and family.

Many confuse palliative care with hospice care. Our service is appropriate for any stage of a serious illness, while hospice is for those at the end of life.  Southampton Hospital’s palliative care team works with your doctors to increase comfort and address your psychological and spiritual needs.

When is the right time for palliative care?

Although it is best introduced in the early stage of a serious illness, palliative care is helpful at any point in a patient’s illness. It is provided along with clinical treatments.

What can I expect?

• Pain and symptom control: The palliative care team will identify sources of pain and discomfort, including problems with breathing, fatigue, depression, insomnia, or bowel and bladder. Massage therapy and relaxation techniques are among the treatments that can provide relief.
• Communication and coordination: Great emphasis is placed on communication between patients, families and physicians in order to ensure each patient’s needs are fully met. Together, we establish goals, aid in decision-making, and provide seamless coordination of care.
• Emotional support: Palliative care focuses on the entire person, not just the illness. The team addresses each patient’s social, psychological, emotional, and spiritual needs.  

The Southampton Hospital Team  

Our team includes doctors, nurses, social workers, and chaplains specializing in palliative care. Massage therapists, pharmacists, nutritionists, acupuncturists, and others may also play a role. All caregivers work closely with a patient’s primary physician.  

For more information, please call (631) 726-3200 or email us at pc@southamptonhospital.org.

Lucia's Room

Lucia’s Room is a beautiful, private room for patients going through difficult surgeries, palliative care and/or end-of-life services. The project is funded by Lucia’s Angels, a nonprofit foundation committed to helping women in late-stage women’s cancer and their families. Unique features of the room include a computer work station, Bose music system, 46” flat screen TV, a day bed for overnight guests, and a large closet for patient and visitor coats, clothing and belongings, as well as attractive shelving for displaying flowers, cards and mementos from friends and family.