National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization

1731 King Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
phone: 703-837-1500
fax: 703-837-1233

National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization Mission To lead and mobilize social change for improved care at the end of life. Vision A world where individuals and families facing serious illness, death, and grief will experience the best that humankind can offer. Values NHPCO believes in: Service… engaging customers; Respect… honoring others; Excellence… exceeding expectations; Collaboration…fostering partnerships; Stewardship… managing resources

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) is the largest nonprofit membership organization representing hospice and palliative care programs and professionals in the United States. The organization is committed to improving end of life care and expanding access to hospice care with the goal of profoundly enhancing quality of life for people dying in America and their loved ones.  

Considered to be the model for quality, compassionate care at the end of life, hospice care involves a team-oriented approach of expert medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support expressly tailored to the patient's wishes. Emotional and spiritual support also is extended to the family and loved ones. Generally, this care is provided in the patient's home or in a home-like setting operated by a hospice program. Medicare, private health insurance, and Medicaid in most states cover hospice care for patients who meet certain criteria.

With headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization advocates for the terminally ill and their families. It also develops public and professional educational programs and materials to enhance understanding and availability of hospice and palliative care; convenes frequent meetings and symposia on emerging issues; provides technical informational resources to its membership; conducts research; monitors Congressional and regulatory activities; and works closely with other organizations that share an interest in end of life care.

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization was founded in 1978 as the National Hospice Organization. The organization changed its name in February 2000 to include palliative care. Many hospice care programs added palliative care to their names to reflect the range of care and services they provide, as hospice care and palliative care share the same core values and philosophies. Defined by the World Health Organization in 1990, palliative care seeks to address not only physical pain, but also emotional, social, and spiritual pain to achieve the best possible quality of life for patients and their families. Palliative care extends the principles of hospice care to a broader population that could benefit from receiving this type of care earlier in their illness or disease process. To better serve individuals who have advanced illness or are terminally ill and their families, many hospice programs encourage access to care earlier in the illness or disease process. Health care professionals who specialize in hospice and palliative care work closely with staff and volunteers to address all the symptoms of illness, with the aim of promoting comfort and dignity.

NHPCO participates in the federal Combined Federal Campaign (CFC #11241) and is a member of the CFC Community Health Charities program.

Our affiliate Organizations:

• National Hospice Foundation
• Global Partners in Care (formerly the Foundation for Hospices in Sub-Saharan Africa - FHSSA)
• Hospice Action Network

Hospice Philosophy and Ethical Statements from NHPCO

• NHPCO's Ethical Principles: These ethical principles should be upheld by all hospice and palliative care providers.
• Preamble to Standards of Practice: The following statement was originally published in the 2000 edition of NHPCO’s Hospice Standards of Practice.
• Hospice Philosophy Statement: Originally published in NHPCO’s Hospice Standards of Practice (2000).
• NHPCO Position Statements and Commentary Documents

Organizational Code of Conduct

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, the National Hospice Foundation, the Global Partners in Care, and the Hospice Action Network are dedicated to providing our members, constituents, and the general public with superior programs and services and our employees with a safe and productive workplace. To learn more about our code of conduct, or to submit a suggestion, complaint, or report, please visit the secure Web site managed for us by Ethics Point.

NHPCO Offices: 1731 King Street, Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22314 703-837-1500 (phone) 703-837-1233 (fax) Solutions Center: 800-646-6460

NHPCO Logo - the evolution of the design

The NHO logo as originally created.

As the logo evolved, the lotus remained the focal point.

The organization's current logo continues to focus on the lotus image.

 

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