Learn more about palliative care services

Palliative care is a medical specialty that complements the other care patients receive during a life-threatening illness. The goal of palliative care is simple: allow the patient to live their life to the fullest during treatment.

At UPMC, the UPMC Palliative and Supportive Institute is the hub for clinical services in palliative care. Its mission is to provide high-quality, coordinated care for patients with serious illnesses. Services are available in the hospital, via outpatient clinics, in skilled nursing facilities, and at home.

“Any sort of exacerbation that a patient may be experiencing of a health care problem — whether they’re leaving the hospital, or they never went to the hospital — can help a team of clinicians supporting the physician,” says Robert M. Arnold, MD, medical director, UPMC Palliative and Supportive Institute. “Typically, a nurse, social worker, and physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy can all contribute to a patient’s care.”

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What’s Included in Palliative Care?

Palliative care addresses:

  • Quality of life. However, the patient may define that.
  •  Management of suffering and symptoms, such as pain, anxiety, and family coping.
  • Decisions about how care is provided.

The UPMC Palliative and Supportive Institute also provides access to consistent education, training, and technical assistance for health care professionals who care for people with serious illnesses.

Palliative Care at UPMC

For more information on how palliative care may benefit your own family, call the UPMC Palliative and Supportive Institute at 412-864-2897 or toll-free at 1-855-565-7146.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published on , and was last reviewed on .

About Palliative and Supportive Institute

At the UPMC Palliative and Supportive Institute, we have one goal: providing the top treatment for patients with serious, life-threatening illnesses. We want you or your loved one to have the highest quality of life, even when a cure is not possible. We will listen to your own wishes for care and build our support around you. We work closely with other UPMC health care professionals to provide complete support and services, both physical and emotional. We want to help you live with dignity and grace in life’s most difficult moments. Visit our website to find a provider near you.