169 Riverside Drive, Suite 300, Binghamton, NY 13905
Phone: (607) 798-5418
Palliative Medicine improves the quality of life for patients and families
facing serious, progressive illnesses. Palliative Medicine is medical care that
affirms life and neither hastens nor postpones death. The focus is
relieving the pain, symptoms, and stress that accompany advanced illness.
Palliative Medicine is offered with all other appropriate medical
treatment. The goal of palliative medicine is to help people live
comfortably and to provide the best possible quality of life for
patients and families
How Can Palliative Medicine Help?
Working closely with your primary physician, we provide:
- Expert treatment of pain and other symptoms
- Guidance with difficult treatment choices
- Emotional and spiritual support for you and your family
- Coordination of care
- Close communication and compassionate care
- Advance Care Planning
What Can I Expect?
- Relief from distressing symptoms, such as pain, shortness of breath,
nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, constipation, and difficulty
sleeping.
- Support with making difficult medical decisions.
- Help achieving the best possible quality of life.
- Guidance for patients and families as they face disease progression
and changing goals of care.
- Emotional and spiritual support.
When Is The Right Time For Palliative Medicine?
Palliative medicine helps through all stages of illness. It is best
introduced early in your care, even at the time of diagnosis. It
is provided along with curative treatments.
Is Palliative Medicine The Same As Hospice Care?
No. Hospice care is meant specifically for those approaching the last
stages of life, while palliative medicine is appropriate for any stage
of a serious illness.
Interdisciplinary Team
The Palliative Medicine Program at Lourdes is delivered through an
interdisciplinary Team of healthcare professionals who assist the
patient and family in addressing the many aspects of care for serious
and complex illnesses.
The Inpatient Palliative Medicine Team at Lourdes includes:
- The Patient and Family
- The Primary Care Provider
- Physician Specialist in Palliative Medicine
- Registered Nurses
- Medical Social Worker
- Chaplain
Other healthcare professionals are consulted as needed and may
include:
- Nutritionist
- Pharmacist
- Rehabilitation Specialist
Our Provider
Francine Rainone, DO, PhD, MS is the Medical Director for the
Palliative Medicine program at Lourdes. She is a graduate of Southeastern
College of Osteopathic Medicine in North Miami Beach Florida and completed her
Family Medicine residency at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York, NY. Dr. Rainone then had advanced training in Pain Medicine & Palliative Care at Beth
Israel Medical Center. She is Board Certified in Family Medicine, Hospice and
Palliative Medicine.
Dr. Rainone is a Master Facilitator for the Education in Palliative and End
of life Care (EPEC) Project, for which she teaches nationally. She has published
on a wide variety of topics in symptom management."
If you believe this is a program that you or your
loved one could benefit from, please call us at (607) 798-5418 for more
information.