Literature Review

Chapters Health System launches new pediatric program PR Newswire, Temple Terrace, FL; Press Release; 4/23/26 Chapters Health System announced the launch of Chapters Kids, a system‑wide pediatric hospice and palliative care program. Chapters Kids will expand resources for pediatric patients and families throughout the Chapters Health System service area and unite existing pediatric programs from several affiliates. "The launch of Chapters Kids is another critical step forward as we work toward fulfilling our mission of taking care of patients, or taking care of those who do," said Andrew Molosky, President and CEO, Chapters Health System.

New research shows earlier hospice election could save Medicare over $1 billion annually National Alliance for Care at Home, Alexandria, VA; Press Release; 4/23/26 A new analysis commissioned by the Research Institute for Home Care (the Institute) reveals that if Medicare beneficiaries elected hospice care just five days earlier, the program could save between $1.19 billion and $1.5 billion annually.  The analysis, conducted by ATI Advisory, demonstrates how modest, clinically appropriate changes in hospice timing could generate significant Medicare savings while improving patient outcomes. These findings are particularly relevant as Medicare spending on hospice services increases by nearly 10% annually, and overall enrollment of Medicare beneficiaries using hospice continues to grow.

NPHI statement on “Protecting Patients and Taxpayers: Cracking Down on Medicare Fraud” hearingNational Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation, Washington, DC; Press Release; 4/22/26 The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) supports the continued focus by Congress and the Administration on addressing fraud, waste, and abuse within the Medicare hospice benefit. NPHI’s policy team, led by Ethan McChesney and joined by Quin Lyons, attended the House Ways & Means Full Committee hearing titled “Protecting Patients and Taxpayers: Cracking Down on Medicare Fraud,” on April 21, reinforcing NPHI’s active engagement on this issue. ... “Fraud in hospice is not a theoretical concern – it is happening in real time, and patients and families are paying the price,” said Tom Koutsoumpas, Founder and CEO of NPHI. “We are seeing entire markets impacted by actors who have no connection to the communities they claim to serve. These fraudulent actors must be rooted out of the system — at once.

South Surrey hospice thrift shop getting crafty with fundraising Europe Says; 4/21/26A new initiative launching at the Peace Arch Hospice Thrift Store in time for Mother’s Day will showcase the heartfelt talents of volunteers, staff and patrons to help boost funds raised at the shop in support of hospice programs and services. Handmade with Love was inspired by a volunteer who offered up “beautiful” aprons she’d made, suggesting the store could sell them as possible gifts for the occasion. ... The idea sparked excitement, and a flurry of conversation and brainstorming that followed quickly transformed it. ... Robbins said another positive of the initiative is the opportunity it creates for crafty folks who want to support hospice but are physically unable to volunteer at the store or give cash donations. ... With a story behind each piece, it is “a reflection of the care, creativity, and connection that defines our hospice community,” a news release states.

VITAS® Healthcare breaks ground on new inpatient hospice center in Port St. Lucie's Tradition community PR Newswire, Port St. Luci, FL; Press Release; 4/22/26 As Florida's aging population continues to grow, increasing demand for inpatient hospice care, VITAS Healthcare, the nation's leading provider of end-of-life care, broke ground this week on a new inpatient hospice center in Port St. Lucie. Expected to open in 2027, the new 14,000-square-foot facility will expand access to comfort-focused inpatient hospice care for individuals whose symptoms can no longer be managed at home, ensuring more families can receive expert care close to Florida's Treasure Coast. 

Nursing profession sees major boom NBC Nightly News; by Emilie Ikeda; 4/21/26 As AI threatens so many industries, nursing is in demand. The Labor Department last year reported health care as the largest source of job creation in the U.S. "So many industries, one is thriving and paying good salaries," Emilie Ikeda explains why so many Americans are giving up working in office buildings to become nurses. ... At a time when many industries are shrinking in part because of Artificial Intelligence, "Why do you say that nursing is A.I.-proof?" "I don't think that A.I. can pick up on the minute nuances that may happen in human emotion ..."

Cultivating interdisciplinary shared wisdom through a structured case conference American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; by Meredith A. MacMartin, MD MS, Amelia M. Cullinan, MD, and Catherine H. Saunders, PhD MPH; 4/8/26 Objectives: To develop and understand the impact of a structured, case-based, facilitated discussion of communication challenges on the function and wellbeing of an interdisciplinary specialty palliative care team. Conclusions: Embedding a weekly facilitated case discussion in the usual practice fostered a virtuous cycle of individual growth and team connectedness among interdisciplinary palliative care providers. Similar conferences could be implemented in other medical teams to teach practical wisdom and reduce burnout.

The upside of painful knowledge is so much greater than the downside of blissful ignorance. ~ Sheryl Sandberg

Future-proofing care: the challenges we face in hospice and palliative care | part one Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast hosted by Chris Comeaux with Cordt Kassner; 4/22/26In this special reverse-role episode, Chris Comeaux steps into the guest seat as Cordt Kassner leads a deep dive into one of the most comprehensive strategic frameworks developed for hospice and palliative care organizations which was developed by TCN and it’s members. In Part One of this forward-looking series, Chris unpacks the foundational challenges shaping the future of hospice and palliative care.  Drawing from nearly a decade of strategic research and collaboration with healthcare leaders, he introduces a powerful framework built around eight core challenges that every organization must navigate. From intensifying competition to shifting reimbursement models, this conversation equips leaders with a clearer lens to anticipate disruption and respond with intention.

Full committee hearing on protecting patients and taxpayers: cracking down on Medicare fraud United State House Committee on Ways & Means, Chairman Jason Smith; 4/21/26 The House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) held a hearing today [4/21] examining the prevalence of fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicare and efforts to combat fraud to protect patients and taxpayers.Full Committee Hearing: April 21, 2026, 10:00AM ET

For Earth Day 2026: Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. ~ Albert Einstein

End-of-life guidelines [in the ICU] emphasize unified care American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, in "Clinical Voices April 2026"; 4/21/26 New guidelines for end of life (EOL) care in the ICU call for clearer communication with families, stronger support for decision making and coordinated teamwork across disciplines to align treatments with what patients can realistically achieve and reduce suffering. “Society of Critical Care Medicine Clinical Practice Guidelines on Adult End-of-Life Care in the ICU ,” in Critical Care Medicine, highlights the need for standardized processes, including identifying legal surrogates, using shared decision making tools and adopting protocolized withdrawal pathways. Additional priorities include early palliative care involvement, spiritual support and focused education to reduce conflict. Recommendations are summarized in three major areas:

What is a ‘green burial’? Plainfield Township is now offering them MLive, Palinfield Township, MI; by Danielle James; 4/14/26 Plainfield Township will soon allow “green burials” in its cemetery located at 6205 Packer Drive NE. The alternative method of burial has been described by some as more natural and environmentally conscious. Township leaders said when approving it, they also had to weigh the potential for additional complications. At a March meeting, Plainfield Township Board members signed off on a resolution that amended the cemetery ordinance to allow for green burials. On April 13, the board approved designated areas in the cemetery where the burials could take place. The alternative burials will still require township approval on a case-by-case basis.Editor's Note: We provide this in light of today's "Earth Day 2026" awareness and the growth of alternative burial processes. Related articles we have posted include: