Literature Review

YoloCares: Overregulated California skips key regulations Our Community Now (OCN); by Craig Dresang, Special to The Enterprise; 8/17/24 California is the most heavily regulated state in the country. According to the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, the Golden State has 420,434 regulatory restrictions which is more than double the national average. ... So, it seems ironic that certain critically important sectors in California that impact the well-being, health and quality of life for millions of seniors are grossly unchecked and mis-regulated. My husband, who has owned and operated salons for nearly 30 years, pointed out that California’s Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (BBC) appears to have more rigorous rules and regulations for nail technicians than it does for board-and-care (B&C) owners or privately owned hospice companies. ... [Click on the title's link to continue reading.]

Why Optum thrives where other companies failed Becker's ASC Review; by Patsy Newitt; 8/16/24 UnitedHealth Group's Optum, parent company of Deerfield, Ill.-based ASC chain SCA Health, has seen massive growth in the last few years as other big healthcare networks face obstacles in reaching large-scale profitability. ... A key to Optum's success is its affiliation with a large insurance business. The Journal pointed to the "several financial incentives for an insurer to own a health provider, including that it pays itself." ... And Optum keeps growing. The company spent $31 billion on acquisitions in the last two years, The Oregonian reported May 13. ... UnitedHealth Group is facing scrutiny regarding the Change Healthcare ransomware attack in February. The attack delayed payment and claims processing for healthcare providers around the country, as UnitedHealth subsidiary Change Healthcare handles an estimated one in three healthcare transactions.

Bereaved parent preferences on quality end-of-life care for children with cancer in the South Cancer - American Cancer Society; by Isaac Martinez BA, Erin Currie PhD, RN, Elizabeth S. Davis MS, Rohail Kumar MD, Valerie Lawhon MS, ALC, NCC, Jennifer M. Snaman MD, Raba B. Tefera BA, Smita Bhatia MD, MPH, Abby R. Rosenberg MD, MS, MA, Emily E. Johnston MD, MS; 8/18/24 The authors sought to understand bereaved family preferences for end-of-life (EOL) care, particularly among Black families and those in the South. ... Family decision-making involved maintaining hope, not causing harm, doing what was best for their child and themselves, and religious beliefs. There was no clear preference for home versus hospital death (3.0 [1.8–4.0]). Instead, parents considered their child’s desires and/or medical needs, siblings, and prior experiences with death. To have a comfortable death, parents highlighted the need for comprehensive education about their child’s EOL, a caring and comfortable environment, and 24/7 access to their care team. Families expressed a dual preference for comfort care ... and chemotherapy ... at EOL.

HCA pushed out providers, downgraded care after acquiring Mission Health: report Healthcare Dive; by Susanna Vogel; 8/16/24 Dive Brief:

Cognitive impairment in the workplace Alzheimer's Association; email 8/14/24, webpage posted 8/8/24 Due to the aging of the U.S. population, rates of cognitive impairment and dementia in the workplace are on the rise. This creates challenges for employers, many of whom may not know how to best support employees who are experiencing symptoms of cognitive impairment. Conversely, employees may be hesitant to share with their employer the challenges that they’re experiencing. ... Recommendations Regarding Dementia in the Workplace ... [Click on the title's link for this excellent HR information.]

The billion-dollar DFW healthcare company you haven’t heard of D Magazine; by Will Maddox; 8/16/24 Addus HomeCare has had a busy year. The publicly traded home care, home health, and hospice company employs more than 30,000 people across 214 locations and 22 states, providing care to nearly 50,000 patients. This year, the company has quietly cleared nearly $400 million in acquisitions as it ramps up its presence in Texas and around the country.

Navigating the complexities of life and caregiving WorldHealth.net; by Pat Baker; 8/16/24 As individuals advance through different life stages, especially when tasked with caregiving or managing the challenges of aging, they encounter a complex web of intertwined challenges. ... This article explores the multifaceted nature of caregiving and aging, offering insights and strategies that can help individuals manage these demanding situations effectively. ... As the population ages and the demand for caregiving increases, it is crucial to continue developing strategies and policies that support caregivers and enhance the quality of care. Editor's Note: Examine 75+ caregiver education and support videos designed for hospices to use with the primary caregiver and family members you serve: Family Support through Serious Illness; Hospice Training for Caregivers and Families; Want to Understand Your Grief? Includes 10 hospice & 11 grief videos in Spanish. Designed and delivered via our newsletter's sponsor, Composing Life Out of Loss.

Dr. Oswalt on the effects of palliative care timing on end-of-life care in mNSCLC OncLive, Oncology Specialty Group; by Cameron James Oswalt, MD; 8/15/24 Cameron James Oswalt MD, fellow, Hematology-Oncology, assistant professor, medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, discusses findings from a study evaluating the timing of palliative care referral and its effect on end-of-life care outcomes in patients with metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC). ...  Investigators found that fewer than half of patients received palliative care during their treatment course, and fewer than one-third of the patients who received palliative care accessed this care within 2 months of diagnosis, ... The low referral rate in this cohort could be attributed to several factors, including patient preferences, preconceived notions, barriers to referral, and overall disease burden, he says. Among patients who died, 59.1% were enrolled in hospice. 

Transformational leadership: The how and why  Forbes; by Akin Akinpelu; 8/13/24 The ability to inspire and motivate a team isn't just a nice-to-have; it's a necessity. That is why transformational leadership goes beyond traditional management tactics, to driving innovation and fostering a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered. Here’s why it matters and how you can cultivate it within your own organization. At its heart, transformational leadership is about creating a vision that motivates and inspires your team to achieve more than they ever thought possible. There are a few key elements that really set transformational leaders apart: 

3 keys to palliative care marketing Hospice News; by Jennifer Murtoff; 8/16/24 While palliative care is an important part of medical care for many patients and providers, marketing messaging for these services must be carefully crafted. ... Given the rampant misconceptions about palliative care, education is an essential component of a marketing strategy, including for patients and families, referral partners and payers. A key point is to distinguish palliative care from hospice, according to Tony Kudner, chief strategy officer for Transcend Strategy Group. ... [Marketers] need to educate patients, family members, and payers as to the specific suite of services their organizations offer and how they can benefit patients. 

3 of the fastest growing hospice companies Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 8/16/24 Three of the nation’s for-profit hospice companies have hit the accelerator on revenue growth, achieving triple-digit percentages. Each of these organizations — Traditions Health, Fortis Health and HealthFlex Hospice — appeared on Inc. magazine’s 2024 listing of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States. ... 

Stay ahead of Medicare fraudsters ... Watch out for Medicare fraudsters The Times of Noblesville, Indiana; Information provided by the U.S. Department of HEalth & Human Services 8/16/24 (Family Features) ... Watch Out for Medicare Hospice Fraud: Beware of scammers offering older Americans in-home perks, like free cooking, cleaning and home health services, while they are unknowingly being signed up for hospice services. The scammers then unlawfully bill Medicare for these services in your name. Remember this advice to avoid hospice scams: [practical tips for the public] ... Report Medicare Fraud ...Editor's Note: This information for the public--provided by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services--provides an important resource for your community outreach, marketing, and admissions employees.