As used in this chapter, "palliative care" means patient centered and family focused medical care that optimizes quality of life by anticipating, preventing, and treating suffering caused by a medical illness or a physical injury or condition that substantially affects a patient's quality of life. The term includes the following:
- (1) Addressing physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs.
- (2) Providing appropriate care based on patient and family need and without regard to the patient's age, stage of illness, or prognosis.
- (3) Facilitating patient autonomy and choice of care.
- (4) Allowing for curative and life prolonging treatment in any care setting.
- (5) Providing an interdisciplinary team of practitioners, including physicians, nurses, and other specialists.
- (6) Providing access to information.
- (7) Discussing the patient's goals for treatment and treatment options, including hospice care when appropriate.
- (8) Comprehensively managing pain and symptoms.
As added by P.L.44-2020, SEC.3.