The University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG) and the company GenèveMédecins (GE-MED) created a new structure at the beginning of November, “Palli-GeMed”, in order to strengthen the Geneva palliative care network in the field of urgent interventions at home.
This public-private partnership offers patients and their loved ones emergency medical consultations at home, for palliative situations, in order to encourage staying at home. Palliative care improves the quality of life of individuals and families facing a life-threatening illness.
What is a palliative emergency?
A palliative emergency is, for example, “a patient suffering from an advanced illness, who presents an acute problem – pain or breathing difficulties – and who wishes to stay at home”, illustrates Dr Simon Singovski, head of clinic at the Consultation palliative care at home. The team then intervenes so that he receives
the appropriate treatments in order to get relief quickly.
Until now, such situations required a call to 144 and a transfer to the Emergency Department because the existing network (general practitioner, specialist or palliative care network) was unable to intervene at short notice within such short notice. From now on, thanks to a dedicated, trained and available team, urgent first aid is provided at home. The interventions are short-term, and follow-up ensures until the care network already in place takes over for the rest of the care.
Formation continue
The creation of these palliative emergencies at home requires continuing training in this area: primary care doctors from HUG as well as doctors from GE-MED are aware of and trained in this type of care, thus contributing to the succession in this field. essential area.
Two doctors from the HUG Primary Care Medicine Service (SMPR) are seconded to GE-MED in order to participate in the tournus and ensure urgent palliative visits. These doctors and their GE-MED colleagues benefit from the supervision of a clinical manager, trained in the HUG Palliative Medicine Department. The latter has recently benefited from six months of experience in palliative emergencies at home in Paris (Pallidom). Supervision takes place live in the field or by telephone, to discuss cases.
GE-MED provides its expertise in the management of urgent home visits, provides logistics, the services of its control center and the support of its medical team 24/7. A skills center in palliative care at GE-MED was created on this occasion, with supervision of executives from the HUG Palliative Medicine Department.
Practical information
Any request for urgent palliative intervention at home is made by telephone on 022 754 54 54 (GE-MED), Monday to Friday, between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Outside of these hours, the usual team of GE-MED doctors provides interventions.
Patients, their entourage and healthcare professionals can all call this number directly, but it is recommended, if possible, to contact the attending physician first.
On this theme, listen or re-listen to our podcast on “Ambulatory palliative care: improving quality of life” (episode 4)
