The Balm of Gilead Center

1
The Balm of Gilead Center

• A Community of Caring at the End-of-Life

2
What is the Balm of Gilead

• The Balm of Gilead is a comprehensive program for
  end-of-life care based at Cooper Green Mercy
  Hospital. The primary goal of the Balm of Gilead
  program is to improve the overall quality of
  patient and family care, including recognizing
  and faithfully striving to relieve all forms of
  suffering whether physical, emotional, social, or
  spiritual.

3
There is a Balm in Gilead

• There is a verse that was made a song There is
  a Balm in Gilead. Maybe you sang it as a child,
  maybe you sang it last week. To make the wounded
  whole. It was written long ago by someone who
  knew something about pain and even more about
  healing. There is a balm in Gilead to heal the
  weary soul. That song has become the inspiration
  for a program that bears its name where the
  words of There Is a Balm in Gilead are lifted
  from the page and written on the hearts of men
  and women from all professions and walks of life.
  In turn, the words become the actions of
  physicians, nurses, technicians, social workers,
  therapists, clergy, and volunteers from the
  community. Actions that are intended to make
  lifes passing a time of healing and peace for
  those who need it most those who are
  frightened, alone, and dying.

4
There is a Balm in Gilead

• When Someone Needs a Place
• A RWJF National Center of Excellence
• Only one of its type in Alabama
• A 10 bed Palliative Care Unit on 4 East
• Provides Inpatient Palliative and Respite Care
• Diversity of Backgrounds
• Support by more than 16 hospices

5
There is a Balm in Gilead

• When Someone Needs a Place
• Designed to meet the needs of the terminally ill
• Home like environment
• Specially trained physician
• Hospice nurse practitioner
• Dedicated staff with palliative care expertise
• Pain Management, Symptom Control, Counseling,
  Family Support, Grieving Support
• Visitation 24/7

6
The Balm of Gilead Center

• Fact and Figures
• Opened in 1998 with RWJF Grant and Sponsors
• Admissions Since Inception - 2,265
• Better Deaths on Unit 779
• Percent of Hospital Deaths 48 to 62
• Volunteer Support
• Visiting patients
• Reading
• Spiritual Comfort
• Flowers

7
The Balm of Gilead Center

• Special Activities
• Leadership Birmingham - 16,125
• CPK Fund Raising - 4,800
• Transition at the End of Life Conference - 80
• End of Life Nursing Education Certification
• ELNEC 2 Sessions
• Partnership with UAB School of Nursing
• Volunteer Recruitment - Healing Words
• Piano Donated by AED at UAB

8
The Balm of Gilead Center

• Unit Growth
• Increase in referrals from CGMH
• Weekly IDT Meetings
• Increased Hospice Oversight
• Initiated Outpatient Clinic
• Greater Involvement of Community Churches
• Weekly Lecture for Residents and Students

9
The Balm of Gilead Center

• Goals for Next Year
• Unit expansion to 15 Beds
• Greater focus on the Continuum of Care
• Development of Philanthropy
• Upgrade and Refurbish Rooms
• Account for 75 of CGMH Floor Deaths
• Increase referrals to Unit
• Site Coordinator For UAB CRNP Program