• Increased Quality of Life. Palliative care reduces unnecessary utilization and hospitalizations while also reducing symptom distress by 66%. Cancer patients are more likely to stay in clinical trials and complete their course of chemotherapy/radiation. Lung cancer patients receiving palliative care realized lower utilization and lived 2.7 months longer.
• Improved Patient and Family Experience. Care, communication, planning and emotional support drives high patient satisfaction. 93% of people who received palliative care are more likely to recommend it to others.
• Decreased Length of Stay and Improved Hospital Performance. Palliative care reduces burnout among clinical staff through early intervention, reducing hospitalizations, and helping patients and families decide if/when hospice is aligned with their goals.
• Reduced Utilization and Spending. Palliative care reduces avoidable spending and utilization in all settings.

At Billings Clinic, we believe that care extends beyond just treating a disease; we are caring for people – giving them the support they need to live with dignity, no matter where they are in their journey. One of the many patients we cared for last year was a young father fighting metastatic colorectal cancer. He had one wish: to spend Christmas with his wife and daughter. But in December, his condition worsened, and he was admitted to Billings Clinic Hospital in critical condition. Our palliative care team acted immediately, managing his pain, stabilizing his symptoms, and guiding his family through difficult decisions. When he expressed his desire to be home, the palliative care team made it happen – coordinating hospice care, expediting medications, and ensuring his comfort for the journey. On December 22, he returned home, where he spent five more days surrounded by love. He passed peacefully, having given his family the gift of one final Christmas together.

At Billings Clinic, we see stories like this every day – a testament to how palliative care brings dignity, comfort, and peace, ensuring that life’s final moments are filled with love.

The need for palliative care in our community is on the rise, and Billings Clinic is dedicated to ensuring that every patient receives the compassionate, high-quality care they deserve. In 2024 alone, 190 of palliative care consults at Billings Clinic (23% of total consults) went unfulfilled due to resource and capacity limitations, and nearly a quarter of all consults were delayed by more than 24 hours. To meet the growing need and create a sustainable program, we are committed to expanding and enhancing our palliative care program. With the support of our community, we can make a lasting difference.

Palliative care not only alleviates pain but also supports dignity, honors patient wishes, and helps families navigate their most vulnerable moments. It drives high satisfaction through integrated care, communication, and emotional support.

Learn more about our Palliative Care services.