Hospice in the News

Contact:

Rosemary Collins, APR, Director of Public Relations, Hospice Buffalo

Day/Evening, (716)570-2090;rcollins@palliativecare.org

Erin C. Klass-Hooge, Physician Liaison, Kaleida Health

Day/Evening, (716) 568-3884;EKlass@KaleidaHealth.Org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: Sept. 23, 2009
MEDIA ADVISORY/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

Location: Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, 1540 Maple Road, Williamsville, NY

Grand Opening of Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospice Rooms

Williamsville, NY -Hospice Buffalo and Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital will officially dedicate the hospital's new inpatient Hospice Rooms on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 10:00 a.m. with a formal ribbon cutting on the hospital's 3rd floor.

The new suites provide a family-friendly environment, with privacy and no visiting restrictions for patients who need inpatient hospital care while they are receiving Hospice care.

The family rooms are located near the patients' rooms and are furnished with a flat-screen television, refrigerator, microwave, telephone, coffeemaker and comfortable furnishings, including a sofa bed. Home-like touches have also been added to the patient rooms including calming decor and recliners to accommodate families and friends who often keep a bedside vigil.

"The goal of the new hospice suites is to make the experience at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital as peaceful and positive for our patients. The suites have been set up to provide a sleeping environment for the patient and a separate sitting and sleeping area for the family. This allows the family to be close to the patient, but at the same time, allows for privacy and a restful environment," said Christopher Lane, president of Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital.

"The addition of two hospice beds, and the renovation of the three-room hospice unit at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, will significantly improve patient access to hospice and the comfort found in this new setting," said Bill Finn, president and CEO of Hospice Buffalo, Inc. "Hospice and Millard Fillmore Suburban have successfully partnered to enhance care and services to the patient and family and, together, we will continue to provide unsurpassed quality for persons needing the care and compassion of hospice & palliative care."

Together with Hospice Buffalo, Millard Fillmore Suburban provides compassionate, skilled care to more than 400 hospice patients a year. Hospice care is available in homes, hospitals, nursing homes, adult residences, and Hospice Houses in Erie County.

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