This practice is performed in palliative care; the hospice care is the symbol of that practice.
Higashi Sapporo Hospital advocates hospice care and was established in 1983. Currently we have 243 beds, and 58 out of those 243 beds are designated to palliative care. About 75% of inpatients are cancer patients; many are progressive, recurrent, or terminal cancer patients.
Higashi Sapporo Hospital opened a new ward in 2009; we have increased the number of patient care beds, added a breast-care center and radiation therapy. We renewed ourselves as a “Cancer Specialized Hospital” with palliative care.
Higashi Sapporo Hospital doesn’t limit our hospice/palliative care to only cancer patients but we also provide the same care to the elderly, those with dementia, and those with intractable the nerve disease patients. We are teamed with Atsubetsu Die Grunen (healthcare facility for the elderly) and a home-visit nursing station. We provide hospice and palliative care as a part of community services.
Based on the Mission Statement of Higashi Sapporo Hospital, our nursing department does not treat patients and their families as just as those who suffer pain and agony but treat them as irreplaceable people with dignity.
Based on our knowledge and experience of hospice/palliative care as a cancer-specialized hospital, we work toward providing comprehensive medical care to our patients that includes cancer prevention to end-of-life care.