Supportive Care Coalition: Member Systems: Ascension Health

Ascension Health is the nation's largest Catholic and largest nonprofit health system, serving patients through a network of hospitals and related health facilities in 20 states and the District of Columbia. Ascension's 87 hospitals, nursing homes and other health facilities are committed to caring for those who are most in need in the communities they serve. They are sponsored by four provinces of the Daughters of Charity, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.

Ascension Health is committed to delivering care of the dying in such a way that God's presence may be recognized in the lives of those who suffer; that technology serves the good of the whole person; that those experiencing physical suffering receive adequate pain management; and that each person is involved in making decisions that directly affect his or her care. Because death is also experienced by family and friends, this commitment extends to those individuals who may need special attention and support in order to find peace in the passing of a loved one.

Ascension Health has initiated an ambitious, system-wide palliative care initiative. An early step was to administer a survey assessing 12 domains considered critical for effective palliative care. Hoping for a response rate of 75% in the voluntary survey, the survey team got a participation rate of 92% of hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. A system wide palliative care task force has been established and is moving forward with educational and other efforts to improve palliative care programs.

To view a power point on the system-wide initiative, click here.

System office:

Ascension Health
4600 Edmundson Road
St. Louis, MO 63134
(314) 733-8000

www.ascensionhealth.org

Coalition board members and primary contacts:

Dan O'Brien, PhD
Vice President, Ethics
System Office, St. Louis, MO
(314) 733-8215
dobrien@ascensionhealth.org

Sr. Marilyn Perkins, DC
Vice President for Mission Integration
Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Binghamton, NY