Providence Fire Rescue ambulances. (WJAR){}

A new unique partnership is already proving to be a difference-maker in a local emergency room.

This is for patients with serious, chronic illnesses who are rushed to the Miriam Hospital in Providence.

It combines palliative and emergency care.

"This is a pretty new field," said Dr. Leah McDonald with HopeHealth Hospice & Palliative Care. "I'm trained in emergency medicine and palliative care, so I am in the ED five days a week working as part of the ED team to see patients down there."

And please, she says, don't mix up hospice and palliative care --they're different.

"Palliative care is a medical specialty that provides an additional layer of support for patients with chronic and life-limiting illnesses," said McDonald. "A typical patient may be an elderly patient with heart failure; one whose been in and out of the hospital frequently over the past year."

Currently, many hospitals in Rhode Island and across the country offer palliative care to patients who are admitted.

This one starts from the point of entry.

"The goal with this is really to start patient-centered care from the minute they get here," said McDonald. "Research has shown that embedding a physician within the ED really increases consults to the palliative care services."

"If we can potentially target treatment outside of the hospital and alleviate some of the symptoms that lead to hospitalization the goal would then be to keep them home," she added.

They're now six months into this pilot program and Miriam and Hope Health says patients love it and it is making a difference.

The hope is that this spreads to other hospitals.

See more here:

Unique program at Miriam Hospital combines palliative and emergency care - WJAR