Literature Review

Policymakers, providers must take steps to prevent staff mass turnover, researchers sayMcKnights Senior Living, by Kathleen Steele Gaivin, 1/29/24Employment levels in the skilled nursing industry are lagging compared with other parts of the healthcare continuum, noted the authors of a study published Friday in the Journal of the American Medical Association. ... Employment levels have been offset to some degree by hiring of agency staff, which the authors claim may affect resident/patient care by disrupting the continuity of care and “by diminishing the years of experience of the workforce.”

Your 2024 guide to Joint Commission changes - Becker's Hospital ReviewBecker's Hospital Review, by Ashleigh Hollowell; 1/26/24The Joint Commission is cutting more than 200 standards across its accreditation programs, many of which will take effect July 1. The organization initially announced its plans to scale back standards at this scale in July 2023, describing it as the "second tranche of major standards' reduction" following a first round of cuts in December 2022. ... [Among these], Home Care will receive a 15% reduction in performance elements.

As denials climb, MACPAC approves recommendations for managed care oversight McKnights Home Care, by Adam Healy; 1/29/24The Medicaid and CHIP Payment Advisory Commission on Friday approved seven recommendations to enhance congressional oversight of Medicaid managed care organizations as recent reports reveal startlingly high rates of prior authorization denials. 

Sojourns Scholar grant funds Doyon’s project to improve refugee palliative care Boise State News; 1/26/24Assistant Professor Katherine (Kate) Doyon was recently announced as one of the Cambia Health Foundation’s 2023 Sojourns Scholars. ... Doyon’s project will create an online curriculum for community health workers who work with seriously-ill resettled refugees in Idaho. The curriculum will integrate palliative care principles into their training. Grounding her work in cultural humility, Doyon’s goal is to collaboratively develop, assess and distribute the curriculum by partnering with resettled refugees, clinicians who care for refugees and resettlement agencies. 

Groundbreaking research by PFF scholarsPulminary Fibrosis Foundation; 1/22/24The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF), the nation’s leading pulmonary fibrosis research, advocacy, and education organization has announced five awardees for the 2023 cycle of PFF Scholars who will receive funding for their cutting-edge research. ... “The most recent PFF Scholars class is tackling some of the most urgent questions about pulmonary fibrosis,” said Scott Staszak, PFF Chief Operating Officer. “Our goal is to accelerate the Scholars’ research and support them in securing more substantial grants for their impactful work.”

Fort Morgan hospice patient and criminal justice graduate accomplishes dream of becoming a juvenile advocate The Fort Morgan Times, by Robin Northrup; 1/25/24Fort Morgan resident Raquel Marquez has always wanted to be a juvenile advocate. Her passion is to protect the rights and interests of children involved in the legal system — those who are victims of abuse, neglect, or crime. ... In 2013, during her first year of college, Marquez was diagnosed with brain cancer. Even after learning about her diagnosis, she stayed in school and finished her degree. Now at home in the care of her family and Hospice of the Plains, Marquez had her dream fulfilled at her home on Wednesday by Hospice of the Plains representative Leon Midkiff,  Morgan County Sheriff Dave Martin, and 13th Judicial District’s Victim Advocate, Jill Olsen.

Why hospice utilization rates have fallenHospice News, by Jim Parker; 1/25/24National hospice utilization rates have fallen since 2020, though the total number of patients served remains consistent. ... Mathematically, the percentage declined in part because of continually changing demographics.Publisher's note: This article quotes a decline in Medicare hospice utilization rates through 2021, which is true. However, we are seeing a rebound / increase in 2022 and 2023 information.

Evaluation of the Medicare Care Choices Model: Annual report 5, findings at a glance (cms.gov)

Changing payment dynamics are forcing home-based care providers to level up in value-based careHome Health Care News, by Patrick Filbin; 1/24/24When home-based care professionals were tasked with providing the “greatest challenge” facing them in the new year, 58% responded staffing. After that, 31% said changing payment dynamics, while 7% and 4% said consolidation or non-payment regulatory changes, respectively. Those findings come from a recent survey conducted by Home Health Care News and Homecare Homebase.

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit. - Aristotle

Androscoggin Home Healthcare & Hospice CEO receives service awardSun Journal (ME); 1/26/24LEWISTON — Kenneth Albert, president and CEO of Androscoggin Home Healthcare + Hospice, has received the Home Care & Hospice Alliance of Maine’s 2023 Distinguished Service Award.Publisher's note: A "subscribe" box appears when accessing this article, but can be delinced.

In-home care providers await updates on CMS Medicaid proposal, begin preparing for 80/20 ruleHome Health Care News, by Patrick Filbin; 1/23/24Drawing parallels between the intentions of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the narrative of a Charles Dickens novel is an uncommon venture. ...  “When the 80/20 rule came out, many of us saw this as a ‘Tale of Two Cities’ situation,” Dave Totaro, chief government affairs officer at Bayada Home Health Care, recently said during a Home Health Care News webinar. 

Provider rebrands as Rainbow Community CareWatertown Daily Times; 1/25/24Rainbow Hospice Care, a trusted local provider of hospice care for over three decades, has rebranded to Rainbow Community Care. This transformation reflects its Board’s longstanding commitment to provide a broad spectrum of services that supports patients and families throughout the entire aging journey, not just at end-of-life. ... “It has been a tremendous honor to be viewed as the area’s cornerstone hospice provider for so many years,” said CEO Karen Carrig.