Glossary

Our glossary explains some of the medical and legal terms used in palliative care.

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Hospice

A caregiving facility that provides coordinated, multi-disciplinary care for people living with terminal illnesses and for their families and caregivers. “Hospice care” is used interchangeably with “palliative care” to describe an approach to care or a community program providing services with such an approach.

Hospice

A caregiving facility that provides coordinated, multi-disciplinary care for people living with terminal illnesses and for their families and caregivers. “Hospice care” is used interchangeably with “palliative care” to describe an approach to care or a community program providing services with such an approach.

Hypoxia

Low levels of oxygen in the body.

Hypoxia

Low levels of oxygen in the body.

Intramuscular

Within or into a muscle. A method of administering a medication into the muscle using a needle. This method is not used often in palliative care.

Intramuscular

Within or into a muscle. A method of administering a medication into the muscle using a needle. This method is not used often in palliative care.

Intranasal

Within or into the nose. A method of administering a medication into the nose using a spray device.

Intranasal

Within or into the nose. A method of administering a medication into the nose using a spray device.

Intrathecal

A treatment used to manage pain in a region of the body. Medication is injected into the spinal fluid, which fills the space between the covering of the spinal cord and the cord itself.

Intrathecal

A treatment used to manage pain in a region of the body. Medication is injected into the spinal fluid, which fills the space between the covering of the spinal cord and the cord itself.