St. Edward Mercy Hospice Inpatient Unit Licensed by Health Department

July 16, 2008 – (Fort Smith, AR) St. Edward Mercy Hospice Inpatient Unit was licensed by the Arkansas Department of Health effective July 9, 2008. The Unit is now able to admit patients.

Several criteria must be met by hospice facilities in order to be licensed by the Arkansas Department of Health. New units must prove there is a need in the community for such a service, the facility must be considered a “home-like situation,” unlimited visitation hours must be in effect, and the staff must be specially trained in hospice and palliative care.

The St. Edward Mercy Hospice Inpatient Unit met all criteria. The need for such a service is critical as the Unit anticipates seeing 34 patients a month for a total of over 400 patients a year.

The new Hospice Inpatient Unit offers a family room, family kitchen, washer and dryer, and adjoining rooms for family members of patients. The Unit will also offer unlimited visitation hours.

The staff has been specially trained in hospice and palliative care with two physicians on staff.  Both Dr. Joseph Chan and Dr. Pamela Gaborni are fellowship-trained in Hospice and Palliative Care Medicine. Dr. Gaborni will join the Hospice and Palliative Care team at St. Edward Mercy in August.

“The addition and licensure of this Unit is an integral component of the Mercy difference”, said Dr. Chan. “We will do our very best to sustain the ministerial service until life’s close.”

The St. Edward Mercy Hospice Unit has 12 beds. The St. Edward Mercy Hospice Inpatient Unit was dedicated on June 23, 2008. Over 200 people attended the event.

The cost of hospice is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most forms of insurance.

For more information about the Hospice Inpatient Unit, please contact Andra Williamson at 479-314-1150 or Kara Billingsley at 479-314-2755.