Coastal Hospice Announces New Advanced Lung Care Program

Salisbury, MD – January, 22 2024 – Coastal Hospice, in collaboration with the American Lung Association (ALA) and the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) today announces the Advanced Lung Care Program to  improve care quality and access to hospice and palliative/advanced illness care. The program will provide specialized care for patients experiencing severe symptoms from chronic lung disease, which includes COPD, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis, and pulmonary hypertension.

Chronic lung disease is a tremendous burden for the 34 million Americans who live with the disease as well as their families and caregivers. In 2016, there were more than 2 million emergency department visits and more than 650,000 hospitalizations due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is one of the most prevalent chronic lung diseases. COPD also costs the healthcare system more than $50 billion a year – mostly due to ER visits and hospitalizations.

Dr. Stacy Cottingham, Special Programs Access Liaison RN and head of the Coastal Hospice Advanced Lung Care Program was proud to share, “Coastal Hospice designed our local program to help patients who are tired of being in and out of hospital emergency departments for their chronic lung disease. By wrapping the patient and caregiver with education and other health resources, we can give them the peace of mind that they don’t have to leave home but have a specialized team come to them to help manage symptoms.”

The Advanced Lung Care Program will launch on Monday, January 22. To learn more about our program and for copies of the Patient and Caregiver Handbook, you may download them here. Individuals can request a printed copy by calling 410-742-7878 or ask your provider about contacting Coastal Hospice.

Do You Know Coastal Hospice?

Founded in 1980, Coastal Hospice is a non-profit health care organization that cares for individuals facing life-limiting conditions who want to remain active and engaged during the final chapter of their lives. Coastal Hospice cares for patients in their own homes, as well as in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and at Coastal Hospice at the Lake and Macky & Pam Stansell House. The organization also provides palliative care to treat symptoms and relieve the pain of a terminal illness or injury. Named a 2021 “Hospice Honors” recipient by HEALTHCAREfirst.

To learn more about Coastal Hospice, which serves Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties, visit www.coastalhospice.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.