NTACC - National Training and Coordination Collaborative (HRSA funded)

• Principle Investigator: Julia H. Rose, Ph.D.

• Director: Dr. Julianne Manchester

• Project Coordinator: Vanessa Astraitis

• Contact: (216) 778-8367 Vanessa Astraitis

Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCCC)

• Co-Director, Cancer and Aging Program: Julia H. Rose, Ph.D.

• Director R-25 Prevention and Control Fellowship: Julia H. Rose, Ph.D.

• Contact: Gillian Irwin

Aging and Supportive Care Project (RO1 NCI funded)

• Principle Investigator: Julia H. Rose, Ph.D.

• Administrator: (216) 778-7273 Mary Hutchinson

MetroHealth is committed to help lead the effort to improve the care of the chronically ill or dying. We strive to do this through:

• Helping health care teams provide the care that complies with patients' wishes and minimizes suffering.

• Educating care providers, patients and families about treatment choices and end-of-life care.

• Conducting research to learn more about the care seriously ill or dying patients need and how best to provide it.

Collaboration: Palliative Care and Hospice Care:

A part of palliative care, hospice care typically helps patients during their last six months of life. MetroHealth's Palliative Care team works together with community-based hospices to provide patients and their loved ones with the highest possible quality of life. Palliative care experts may be introduced during any phase of a chronic, critical, or terminal illness. They work in tandem with the patient's primary health care team and coordinate care as the illness progresses. In addition, they assist with the transition to end-of-life hospice care, if needed.

Research results:

MetroHealth is one of the first hospitals nationally to participate in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-funded study. This study examines the care of seriously ill, hospitalized patients, prior to death. The research showed that patients often die in intensive care units, in pain, and on machines. Many other studies have shown similar results.