Patient, staff satisfaction biggest ROIs of trauma-informed hospice care 
Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 10/23/24 
Improved patient and staff satisfaction are among the most significant returns on investment for hospices that are pouring greater resources into trauma-informed training. The ability to build a trusting relationship with patients and their families is a key skill set for any hospice professional to possess, but one that takes on a profoundly different meaning when caring for survivors of abuse, violence and trauma. This is according to Amber Ash, pediatric hospice and palliative care social worker at Ohio-based Hospice of the Western Reserve. Trauma-informed education should be a normalized part of hospice’s interdisciplinary training to help staff recognize and respond to a range of experiences, Ash indicated. This type of training can help provide opportunities for improved goal-concordant care while also aligning with staff’s professional goals and personal values, she stated. 

New FTC regulations could create obstacles for hospice M&A 
Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 10/24/24 
Changes to federal rules governing mergers and acquisitions could have sweeping effects on hospice and other health care transactions. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently finalized a rule that will implement changes to required pre-merger notification forms. Pursuant to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, parties to certain transactions must submit these documents to the FTC and other regulatory agencies to help identify and address potential antitrust concerns. The law requires that transactions exceeding $120 million must submit the form, which agencies will use to conduct a 30-day premerger assessment, according to Luke Smith, member at the law firm Bass, Berry and Sims. The final rule will likely complicate the closing of some hospice acquisitions.

A meal, a smile and a prayer: volunteers venture into the heart of flood-affected area
The Mountaineer, Waynesville, NC; by Brionna Dallara; 10/23/24 
Luke Ross and Louisa Koehring peer out their car window as they snaked down Old Clyde Road, muddy piles of flood debris strewn along the shoulders. With a trunk full of hot meals, they scan for flood-stricken homes, looking for people in their yards or signs of anyone home. Their arrival at homes has been a sure sign of hope. Relief sweeps across the flood victims' faces as Luke and Louisa approach their doorsteps with hot meals or a new pack of under garments. The first stop along their route this day is Ronnie Hall, who was stranded for eight days post-Helene, alone with nothing but his two cats — Famous Amos and Snowflake — to keep him company. Not only do the young couple feed him, but offer him friendship. ... Without power and alone for eight days following the flood, with no one but hospice to check on him, Hall said he persevered with the help of his faith.
Editor's note: Bravo to the hospice who found a way "to check on him" in the midst of no power and isolation.

CCH, foundation working together again to look at possibility of reopening Hospice House 
Gillette News Record, Gillette, WY; by News Record Staff; 10/24/24 
Campbell County Health and the Northeast Wyoming Community Health Foundation are back at the table again to explore the feasibility of reopening the Close to Home Hospice House. According to press releases sent out Wednesday from both groups, this initiative aims to enhance inpatient hospice services by reopening a home that facilitates end-of-life support, providing a compassionate space for individuals to receive care with dignity. “We are considering this in partnership with a third-party operator,  which will be discussed and decided upon collaboratively,” the press releases read. “Our primary focus is the well-being of our community, and we are committed to transparency as we engage in these preliminary discussions." 

Serenity House Garden receives colorful makeover in honor of patients and families 
The Oskaloosa Herald, Oskaloosa, IA; 10/23/24 
Mahaska Health announced recent enhancements to the Serenity House Garden, made possible by the generosity of Bob and Roxanne Denner. The updated garden now features a vibrant array of new plants and a beautifully revitalized rock landscape, offering a serene and uplifting environment for patients and their families. Roxanne Denner, a member of the Serenity Hospice Auxiliary Board, has been involved in supporting the Serenity House mission for several years. As an avid gardener, she saw this opportunity to enhance the garden as a way to contribute to the well-being of guests and their families. 
Editor's note: We celebrate the countless hospice and palliative care volunteers who give their time and talents to create more meaningful, compassionate environments and experiences for patients and families. Whom might you thank and recognize?

Safety first: How to ward off health care facility violence 
SmartBrief; by Julia M. Johnson; 10/23/24
Panelists on an American Hospital Association webinar highlight ways in which hospitals and practices can protect their patients and themselves. ... The American Hospital Association recently hosted a webinar about what hospitals and practices need to know to protect themselves, staff members and patients. “Understanding Origins of Violence in Health Care Facilities” featured Jason Grellner of Evolv Technology and Drew Neckar of Cosecure. Both panelists spoke candidly about technology, terminology and steps that can be taken to dial down the danger at health care facilities.  

• Defining the threat ... it’s helpful to start by reviewing official definitions of health care violence from the Joint Commission and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ...
• Deploying the tactics ... some of the most effective ways to mitigate violence include de-escalation training for staff, risk identification activities and proactive facility design ...
• Diverting the danger ... Sometimes violent intent lies well below the surface, so facilities need to be aware of subtle signs of trouble in an individual ... 

Advance Directives: How to make sure your end-of-life decisions are followed 
Bottom Line Inc; by Mathew D. Pauley, JD; 10/24/24 
Nearly 40% of older Americans have some form of advance directives, such as a living will to communicate wishes about life-saving treatment…or a medical power of attorney appointing a loved one as proxy if they’re incapacitated.  Problem: Your wishes may not always be followed in real-world situations. Examples: Emergency paramedics typically provide CPR to restart a patient’s heart even if that patient’s living will says otherwise. And complex medical circumstances at the end of life often arise that force your loved ones to make judgment calls about what you really want. Bottom Line Personal spoke to clinical ethicist Mathew Pauley about how to make sure hospitals, medical providers and family members follow your medical wishes.

• Talk to your doctor about your wishes regarding end-of-life care ...
• Discuss your values and preferences with your healthcare proxy ...
• Bring your POLST form and advanced directives whenever you change doctors or go to a hospital ...

Editor's note: What systems, Policies and Procedures, staff training, and quality evaluations do you regularly use to ensure that patients' advance directives are followed?

Farmer in hospice takes one last trip to the farm 
Sanford Health; by Mick Garry; 10/23/24 
Marvin Miller grew up on a farm near Parker, South Dakota, and then farmed the land himself after his mother and father retired. ... He is being cared for at Sanford Health’s Ava’s House, an acute-level, inpatient hospice facility in Sioux Falls, that provides 24-hour nursing care to patients. When Marvin was asked if he had anything he wanted to see or to do before his health would not permit it, he admitted ... that he would like to see the farm and crops and get another chance to take a tour of Parker, a town of about 1,200, a half-hour southwest of Sioux Falls. ... The staff at Ava’s House quickly began finding a way to make it happen. With financial assistance from the Sanford Health Foundation, they were able to rent a wheelchair van that the Millers could use to make the trip. ... The Millers are grateful the Ava’s House staff made the effort to help Marvin at a difficult time. Just as farming goes outside the scope of a normal job, so does caring for people at Ava’s House. “We’re very appreciative of the staff at Ava’s House,” Paula said. “They’re wonderful people. They set it up and organized the whole trip for us. We got to share a day at the farm with our kids.”

Louisiana partners with Elizabeth Dole Foundation's Hidden Heroes Campaign 
Audacy.com; by Laine Griffin; 10/24/24 
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry announced last week his support for the more than 100,000 military and veteran caregivers in the state by joining the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Hidden Heroes Campaign. The campaign’s goal is to raise awareness and bring critical resources to military and veteran caregivers, who are referred to as hidden heroes and care for wounded, ill or injured service members and veterans. ... Currently, there are 2.3 military and veteran caregiver children and 14.3 million military and veteran caregivers who care for America’s wounded, ill, or injured veterans or service members, according to the foundation’s website. ... The 14.3 million military and veteran caregivers provide care valued at a minimum of $119 billion.

Anxiety grows over telemedicine flexibility extension 
The Hill; by Joseph Choi; 10/24/24 
Lawmakers and physicians are growing anxious for COVID-era telemedicine flexibility measures to be extended for a third time, as federal regulators signal a potential tightening of the rules ahead of a deadline at the end of the year. Since 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have allowed physicians to prescribe schedule II to V controlled substances without in-person medical evaluations. ... Last year, the two agencies extended these flexibility measures through the end of 2024. With December fast approaching, a bipartisan group of lawmakers in both the House and Senate want another round of extensions secured. 

Saint Francis Hospital’s Healthy Village creates national social-services healthcare model 
DelawareLive, Wilmington, DE; by Jarek Rutz; 10/23/24 
Saint Francis Hospital hopes a new, unique initiative will be a national model for healthcare. As it celebrates 100 years of service, the hospital is expanding its community outreach to the Wilmington community by launching the Healthy Village at Saint Francis Hospital, which aims to deliver essential social services to those in need. Located in economically challenged neighborhoods, Healthy Villages are designed to enhance the traditional safety net hospital model. “The goal is to create the ultimate one-stop care setting that promotes synergy, diversity, and equity,” said Lillian Schonewolf, executive director of the Healthy Village at Saint Francis, in a YouTube video. 
Editor's note: See the article we posted yesterday about the importance of community, "Who gets access to a good death?"

Victim of hospice nurse wonders how she could've stolen from them 
NBC News KUSA-TV 9, Denver, CO; Newscast video, reported by Rhea Jha; 10/24/24 
A home care hospice nurse has been sentenced to 32 years in prison for stealing more than $100,00 from multiple patients. Victims are wondering how this happened.  ... "That loss of trust, I don't know how you recover from that." 
Editor's note: This news story identified "All Generations Home Care" as the agency involved, and that they did not respond for comment.

Michigan HHS to pay $13M after unannounced shooter drill at psych hospital 
Becker's Hospital Review; by Mariah Taylor; 10/18/24
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services agreed to pay $13 million to settle allegations that it caused psychological damage after conducting a surprise active shooter drill at a children's psychiatric hospital, The Washington Post reported Oct. 17. The Hawthorn Center, based in Northville Township, Mich., is a state-run psychiatric hospital for children with emotional, mood and thought disorders. On Dec. 21, two laborers were instructed by their supervisor to act as armed intruders in an unannounced drill. The two were told to walk around the facility and ensure every room was locked and the people inside were hidden. The receptionist was instructed to announce that there were active shooters in the building and that shots were fired. Neither the staff nor the police were notified a drill was occurring. 911 calls reported the active shooter and 22 police officers rushed to the scene. The two laborers exited the building and were detained while the police sorted out the situation. Employees filed a class action lawsuit in April 2023 against the health department-run facility alleging that the unannounced drill gave them post-traumatic stress and emotional harm. According to the lawsuit, patients acted aggressively toward themselves and others in the subsequent weeks, and staff members experienced increased anxiety and sleep struggles, and some quit their jobs.

• Andwell Health Partners, Maine, announces the appointment of Katherine Pushee, MBA, BSN, as the new director of hospice services