Deleware Healthcare Association - Home
  • 1280 S Governors Avenue, Dover, DE 19904
  • |
  • 302.674.2853
  • Members Portal

Delaware Receives Top “A” Grade on Access to Palliative Care in our Nation’s Hospitals


09/26/2019

 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2019
 
Contact:
Christina Crooks Bryan
(302) 674-2853
christina@deha.org
 
 
Delaware Receives Top “A” Grade on Access to Palliative Care 
in our Nation’s Hospitals
Delaware is One of Only Four States in the Nation to Receive 100% Grade
 
(DOVER, DE – September 26, 2019) Delaware hospitals are leading the nation in access to palliative care, according to the 2019 State-by-State Report Card on Access to Palliative Care in Our Nation’s Hospitals. The report, developed by the Center to Advance Palliative Care, analyzes whether patients living with a serious illness are receiving equitable access to palliative care services in U.S. hospitals. Delaware received an “A” grade and was one of only four states in the nation to receive a 100% score.
 
To help people living with a serious illness, palliative care focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of the illness.  Improving the quality of life for both the patient and the family is the goal.
 
“Delaware hospitals are proud to lead the nation in providing access to quality palliative care for our friends and neighbors,” said DHA President & CEO Wayne A. Smith. “Palliative care improves patient quality of life and reduces pain and suffering.”
 
Palliative care is a type of care that improves the quality of life for patients with a serious illness and can include end-of-life care. The Delaware Healthcare Association has cited the availability of quality palliative care as a reason for opposing legislation, most recently House Bill 140, that would allow for physician-assisted suicide. 
 
“It is critical that the public understands palliative care is available and accessible in our state.  Particularly as some advocate for physician assisted suicide as a response to pain and suffering.  Palliative Care as practiced today is an ethical response to pain and suffering,” continued Smith. “The drugs provided in palliative care provide relief whereas the drugs provided with physician assisted suicide kill the patient.”
 
About the Delaware Healthcare Association

The Delaware Healthcare Association (DHA) was formed in 1967 to assist Delaware hospitals in working on issues concerning health care and the hospital industry. DHA is a statewide trade and membership services organization that serves as a leader in the promotion of effective change in health services through collaboration and consensus building on health care issues at the State and Federal levels. DHA’s vision is to be the leading and respected voice for hospitals and health care delivery systems in Delaware working together to deliver compassionate, accessible, high quality, financially sustainable health care to the patients and communities they serve. DHA’s mission is to provide policy and advocacy leadership in creating an excellent environment for enabling every Delawarean to be as healthy as they can be.
 
####
 
Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness. This type of care is focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of the illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.
 

1280 S Governors Avenue, Dover, DE 19904 | 302.674.2853

© 2018 All rights Reserved Delaware Healthcare Association. Created and Designed by Life Is Code