"Palliative" is derived from "pallium", the Latin word for cloak, and the English term "care", which means "to tend, care for, protect and look after".

Palliative care can therefore be understood as a kind of cloak that provides protection and security for the patient and their loved ones. The mantle should also provide space for courage and strengthen self-determination and enable the highest possible quality of life in the various phases of the illness.

Based on the definition of the World Health Organization (WHO), palliative care is an approach to improving the quality of life of patients and their environment who are confronted with a life-threatening and/or chronically progressive illness.

The focus of palliative care is on the early and comprehensive recognition and best possible treatment of symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, restlessness, insomnia, digestive disorders, anxiety, depression and despair.

Another important aim is to prevent suffering and complications arising during the course of an illness.

Treatment of the underlying disease, e.g. chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and palliative care are not mutually exclusive, but complement each other.

The needs of people in palliative situations can vary greatly. The aim of palliative care is to find the best possible and appropriate treatment for the individual patient at every stage of the illness.

Das Palliative Care Team des USB begleitet stationäre und ambulante Patientinnen und Patienten mit palliativen Bedürfnissen. Unsere Tätigkeit kann von den betreuenden Ärztinnen und Ärzten im Sinne eines Konsils (Beratung durch eine Fachärztin oder Facharzt und einer Pflegefachperson)  angefordert werden.

Zum Angebot des Palliative Care-Konsildienstes zählen folgende Aufgaben:

• Erfassung und Linderung von Symptomen wie Schmerzen, Atemnot, Unruhe, Verstopfung und anderen körperlichen Beschwerden
• Beratung zur Therapieziel– und Entscheidungsfindung und gemeinsames Planen des weiteren Therapieweges
• Beratung bei der Erstellung von Patientenverfügungen
• Unterstützung der Patientinnen und Patienten und ihrer Angehörigen bei seelischen oder spirituellen Belastungen
• Unterstützung bei Organisation und Aufbau eines Versorgungsnetzes, in das die Patientin oder der Patient stabilisiert entlassen werden kann
• Begleiten von sterbenden Patientinnen und Patienten sowie Angehörigen im Spital
• Einbindung anderer Fachdisziplinen wie Schmerzdienst, Physiotherapie, Psychoonkologie, Seelsorge, Sozialdienst.
• Kontinuität als Ansprechpartner für Patientinnen und Patienten, Angehörige, Hausarzt und ambulante Dienste

In a comprehensive anamnesis, we determine the palliative needs of patients and their environment. The problems are prioritized and a treatment goal is defined. To this end, we make specific suggestions, e.g. regarding medication or other measures.

In order to meet the complex needs of patients in palliative situations, a constant exchange of information between the treating team is required. We work closely with the treating oncologists and colleagues from the pain service, psycho-oncology, psychosomatic medicine, physiotherapy, pastoral care, nutritional advice, case management and social counseling.

We consider the patient and their environment to be an important part of the team. With respect for the patient's ideas, wishes and values, we aim to recognize and meet their physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs through dialogue.

Palliative care supports and accompanies patients and their relatives. Palliative care affirms life and regards dying as a normal process. The aim of palliative care is to identify and address patients' physical, social, psychological and spiritual problems. Palliative care therefore includes medical treatment, nursing interventions and psychological, social and spiritual support.