Inpatient hospice unit opens at Lee Memorial Hospital

Lee Memorial Hospital recently celebrated its newest wing — the VITAS Healthcare Inpatient Hospice Unit — with a ribbon-cutting. It is located on the second floor of the hospital.

The VITAS hospice unit at Lee Memorial features eight private rooms for patients, each equipped with internet access, flat-screen TVs, private bathrooms and overnight accommodations for loved ones. There is also a shared family room for visiting guests as well as activities for children.

“With the addition of this inpatient wing, we can ensure that patients experience a seamless transition to high-quality end-of-life care in a comfortable, supportive environment,” Dana McQuaide Begley, vice president of wellness and recovery at Lee Health, says in a statement. “We are confident that this collaboration will bring peace and dignity to those facing advanced illness.”

A board-certified medical director specializing in hospice and palliative medicine oversees care, and VITAS physicians conduct daily rounds. VITAS also offers specialized veterans care, pet visits, music therapy, respiratory therapy and bereavement support with "memory bears" made from a loved one’s clothing to offer comfort.

Officials expect the wing to serve more than 400 patients a year, according to a statement.

VITAS Healthcare, which is headquartered in Miami, operates 27 inpatient hospice units in hospitals, assisted living facilities and nursing homes. Primarily, VITAS Healthcare operates in people’s homes, where its more than 11,000 employees care for those with advanced illnesses.

“As the leading provider of hospice services, VITAS is committed to delivering compassionate care that meets the individual goals, wishes and values of each patient,” Mark Hayes, senior vice president of operations at VITAS, says in a statement. “Our collaboration with Lee Memorial allows us to bring essential hospice care directly to the hospital, alongside access to additional palliative care resources.”

The hospice wing at Lee Memorial Hospital began serving patients on Nov. 1 and is the only hospital-based hospice facility in Lee County. It is the second inpatient hospice unit for VITAS Healthcare in Southwest Florida, where it also runs the VITAS Inpatient Unit at Solaris HealthCare Imperial in Naples.