Children’s Speciality Center of Nevada opens the state’s first outpatient children’s palliative care clinic

Categories: In The Media.

Everyday children are born with conditions that may drastically limit or threaten their lives. This time often proves to be a difficult time for the families of these children as they try to navigate this journey on their own. The new Pediatric Palliative Care Clinic that recently opened at the Children’s Specialty Center of Nevada hopes to provide some relief.

The ‘first of its kind’ outpatient program is run by Kathleen Gates, M.D and Angela Berg, DNP, APRN, CPNP. Gates is the only doctor with extensive experience in children’s palliative care in Nevada, and Berg has been a nurse for 25 years before earning her Doctorate in Nursing Practice in 2015.

Children’s palliative care is a much needed service in Nevada, although the American Academy of Pediatrics identified the needs as far back as 2000, there has been a shortage of outpatient services. Current programs only address the needs for children who are in hospital, once the child is discharged, the services are no longer available.

Children’s Palliative Care is family centered and assists to address issues such advanced directives, goals of care and the coordination of speciality care from a medical home environment. Children’s palliative care is not pending end-of-life care, its helps the parents make decisions that will ensure the best quality of life for their child for as long as possible.

“This underserved area of paediatric care is often misunderstood, even by those in the medical community,” said Angela Berg, DNP, CPNP. “Having a child with complex medical issues is often overwhelming for parents and these special kids. The palliative program will offer the child and family the support they need.” To read the full article, click here.

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