Palliative Care at Christian Hospital

A Supportive Resource for Patients and Their Families

When diagnosed with a chronic illness or life-limiting disease, palliative care can be one of the most valuable parts of the patient’s care team. At Christian Hospital, a dedicated palliative care team is offering comfort and support to patients and their families through a holistic approach.

“We are an extra set of eyes and hands to truly ensure our patients get the best possible care,” says Tracee S. Raife, DNP, MBA, APRN, ANP-BC, a palliative care nurse practitioner at Christian Hospital. “We keep the patient visible beyond the disease. As their disease progresses, they have to make complex decisions.  We help them anticipate what they might need along their journey.”

This involves helping them set their goals, managing their symptoms, educating them on their disease and medications, assisting in advanced care planning and ultimately, improving and maintaining their quality of life in alignment with their wishes.

Christian Hospital’s palliative care team includes a nurse practitioner, registered nurse, social worker and chaplain. They stay in constant communication with the patient’s primary care provider and specialists, ensuring all are fully aware of the plan of care and filling in the gaps as necessary.

“Our goal is to create a partnership between the patient and their providers and their specialists,” shares Tracee. “Palliative care bridges the communication between everyone. We make sure even the support system is in the loop when it comes to the patient and their care.”

For St. Louis resident Peola Lucas and her family, palliative care was an invaluable resource. Despite being healthy and active throughout her entire life, Peola received a diagnosis of breast cancer in 2016. She and her family were introduced to palliative care at Christian Hospital.

“Ms. Lucas, knowing she had a life-limiting disease, had a clear vision of how and where she wanted to transition,” shares Tracee. “Together with her son and daughter, we developed a plan that would respect her wishes, protect the integrity of her process and support her as she transitioned.”

Her children share their mother’s positive experience during this difficult time.

“Mom had no stress while in the hospital. She felt seen, heard and respected,” shares Vanessa Lucas, Peola’s daughter. “Tracee and her team were very responsive, informative and caring. 

They genuinely cared that her needs and wants were fulfilled and satisfied.”

Peola’s son, Craig Lucas, adds, “When you’re going through that tough period, and if you haven’t had any prior experience with other family members, you don’t know what you don’t know. Getting in touch with palliative care opened up a whole host of resources, information and considerations on how to handle some of the things we were going to face. The palliative care team was with us the entire time, step by step, with whatever we needed in the hospital and even after Mom transitioned.”

Palliative care is not only presented at the end of life or when there is no treatment. It can be given at any time during an illness, though ideally introduced at the time of diagnosis, and curative treatment can be continued.

“Palliative care is a resource that keeps the patient and what is important to them at the forefront,” shares Tracee. “I’m very happy that palliative care is here.”

How do I know if this is right for me or a member of my family?

Palliative Care can help if you or your loved one:

• Has cancer, heart failure, liver, lung or kidney problems with many hospital visits in the last year
• Has dementia and a steady loss of function and needs help with daily care
• Has a serious illness with pain, trouble breathing and other symptoms that cause distress
• Feels helpless or confused by the health care system and treatment
• Has tough medical choices to make and wants help thinking them through

For more information about palliative care, visit ChristianHospital.org/Medical-Services/Palliative-Care or call 314.653.5737.

Photo: From left: Rev. William L. Johnson, III, M.DIV, MTS, D.MIN, BCC, chaplain; Tracee S. Raife, DNP, MBA, APRN, ANP-BC, palliative care nurse practitioner; Jocelyn Wyms, RN, MSN, OCN, palliative care specialist; and Emily Selhime, MSG, BSW, social worker. Not pictured: Arahon Sykes, LMSW, social worker.