August 6th, 2008

A new 10-bed hospice center will open Monday in the Westmoreland Hospital at Jeannette, reports the Tribune-Review.

The hospice center, which is being opened by Excela Health, is intended to provide short-term care to patients facing death so they can go home if possible.  The main purpose of the center would be to help patients with pain management.

“Sometimes a patient stays for a few days, a week or more, and sometimes the patient will end life peacefully in our center, said Gretchen Peske, hospice center manager.”  “It all depends on the patient’s individual condition.”

In addition to the care offered to the patients, the center will also offer emotional support to families.