Coalition issues guide to transforming advanced illness care

A new book by the Coalition to Transform Advanced Care (C-TAC) identifies challenges, opportunities and action steps for transforming advanced illness care in the United States. The AHA is a co-sponsor of the book, which includes an introduction by Rich Umbdenstock, AHA past president and CEO. “C-TAC plays a critical role as the convener of all those who care about making advanced illness planning the norm in honoring the dignity of patients and families,” Umbdenstock writes. “I look forward to the day when all hospitals and health care systems organize and deliver high-quality advanced illness management; when all health care professionals have the knowledge and skills to provide it; and when every patient and family understands the benefits of it and the choices available to them. I believe that day will come sooner as a result of this book.” In other news, the Center to Advance Palliative Care last week reported continued growth in the number of U.S. hospitals offering palliative care programs for Americans with serious illness.