Acute Palliative Care Unit First of Its Kind
The Acute Palliative Care Unit (APCU) opened in September to provide a team
of experienced clinicians and dedicated space to care for cancer patients with
a need for intensive, focused attention to physical, social, psychological or
spiritual distress and suffering.
A pilot program for Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center, the
space is intended to handle the most complex patients whose problems cannot be
managed at home, with the aim to reduce suffering and enhance quality of life.
“This unit provides a unique opportunity for an interdisciplinary team of
caregivers to coordinate efforts and provide intensive relief from suffering,”
said David Giansiracusa, MD, co-director of the unit with Janet Abrahm, MD.
The unit is a general oncology unit at BWH housing DFCI licensed beds, and
supports six palliative care patients alongside six general oncology patients.
Nurses and other staff care for both oncology and APCU patients along with the
palliative care team, which is composed of physicians, nurses, psychiatrists,
and a social worker, pharmacist, chaplain and care coordinator.
Dianne Cerce, executive director for oncology services at BWH, said, “A
unit that focuses on palliative care is advantageous both medically and financially
because care is provided more efficiently and patients have shorter stays. We
hope to expand this service beyond cancer to other specialties.”