~ Press release provided by Valley Health
WINCHESTER, Aug. 1 — Valley Health and Blue Ridge Hospice have expanded their collaborative Hospice in the Hospital program to Page Memorial Hospital in Luray. On July 15, an agreement was signed for Blue Ridge Hospice to work alongside the hospital’s care team to provide supplemental comfort care services. This ensures eligible patients and families receive comprehensive care during and after their hospital stay.
Hospice in the Hospital originated at Winchester Medical Center in 2020 and expanded to Shenandoah Memorial Hospital in Woodstock April 2024. The program exemplifies Blue Ridge Hospice’s commitment to enhancing access to high-quality serious illness and end-of-life-care services, aligned with Valley Health’s mission to deliver exceptional patient care across its hospitals.
“Valley Health is dedicated to providing accessible, affordable, and exceptional care to all our communities. Expanding Hospice in the Hospital to Page Memorial allows more patients to be closer to home and family during challenging times,” said Travis Clark, President, PMH.
The program supports hospitalized patients who meet General Inpatient (GIP) criteria, which includes uncontrollable pain and symptoms that require intensive management. It is designed for hospice-eligible patients meeting these criteria to receive hospice care services at Page Memorial Hospital.
“In addition to Valley Health’s excellent care, our team will provide expert pain and symptom management, coordinating a seamless transition from inpatient to hospice care at home when appropriate,” stated Altonia Garrett, Chief Operations Officer at Blue Ridge Hospice.
Emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual needs will be supported by the Blue Ridge Hospice team of social workers, music therapists, chaplains, and volunteers. Blue Ridge Hospice also operates an eight-bed Inpatient Care Center in Winchester, offering round-the-clock care for patients requiring ongoing support.
Jason Parsons, President and CEO of Blue Ridge Hospice, highlighted the partnership’s pivotal role in creating a seamless continuum of care.
“We are expanding our longstanding collaboration with Valley Health,” Parsons stated, emphasizing the partnership is rooted in the purpose to widen the circle of access to high-quality, compassionate care across all communities, particularly in rural areas.
“Too often, families express regret about not contacting hospice sooner,” Parsons stated. “Programs like Hospice in the Hospital enable us to identify patients needing our services promptly, ensuring they receive the care they require.”
Clark reinforced Valley Health’s commitment to patient-centered care.
“Decisions about hospice care can be challenging. We encourage families to have these conversations early so that patient wishes are respected,” he said. “Valley Health is proud to collaborate with Blue Ridge Hospice in providing optimal care and support options for patients.”
The expansion of Hospice in the Hospital to Page Memorial Hospital underscores Valley Health and Blue Ridge Hospice’s shared dedication to improving end-of-life care accessibility and quality across the region.
Blue Ridge Hospice is a community-based, not-for-profit serious illness and end-of-life care provider that has been serving the northern Shenandoah Valley and northwestern Virginia since 1981. With a mission of “brightening life’s journey with quality and compassionate care for all whom we are privileged to serve,” Blue Ridge Hospice serves Winchester City and the counties of Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Loudoun, Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah, and Warren. Accredited by The Joint Commission, Blue Ridge Hospice consistently exceeds the national averages for quality as reported on Medicare’s Hospice Compare website.
Valley Health is a not-for-profit health system serving a population of more than 500,000 in the Northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, the Eastern Panhandle and Potomac Highlands of West Virginia, and western Maryland. As a healthcare provider, employer, and community partner, Valley Health is committed to improving the health of the region. The system includes six hospitals, more than 70 medical practices and Urgent Care centers, outpatient rehabilitation, medical transport, long-term care, and home health.
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To learn more about Blue Ridge Hospice
visit www.brhospice.org, or call 540-313-9200.
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Having to lean more toward death than life now to improve the bottom line? Good thing. One day I may wind up there.