At its most recent meeting, the HASC Palliative Care Committee officially changed its name to the Care Transitions Committee. The change better reflects the efficiencies gained through patient care integration across the post-acute care continuum. The committee will continue to encourage the growth of hospital-based palliative care programs and represent palliative care professionals in the HASC membership.

The Palliative Care/Care Transitions Committee serves as a network for health care professionals to exchange information and help create and strengthen existing palliative care programs. Members now include physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, nurse practitioners, hospice and other post-acute care providers. The group’s goal is to establish palliative care programs in 50 percent of Southern California’s acute-care hospitals. The next committee meeting is scheduled for Dec. 1 at the HASC Los Angeles Office.

Also at the most recent meeting, guest presenters from the Joyce Eisenberg Keefer Medical Center–Molly Forrest, president/CEO; Arnold Possick, vice president, Community-Based Services; and Dr. Esiquio Casillas, associate medical director & Home/Community-Based Services–demonstrated a comprehensive service model addressing care transitions, short-term rehabilitation, psychiatric care, palliative care, hospice and community-based care for seniors. Sixty percent of the population served by the medical center’s parent organization, the Jewish Home, were in diverse post-acute care settings.

The meeting agenda also included:

• Training updates for POLST implementation
• 2012 Palliative Care Conference planning
• Joint Commission Palliative Care certification information