Literature Review

NorthStar Care Community announces partnership with Beads of Courage Fox 17 - West Michigan;by Nicole Stoner; 8/19/25 Beads Of Courage is an organization that helps pediatric patients document their health journey through beads of different sizes, shapes, and colors. ... NorthStar Care Community, already established for their compassion in pallative and hospice care, has announced a partnership with Beads Of Courage. This time, the partnership honors patients entering hospice care through their own treatment stages, milestones, and moments of courage. ... In addition, the Carry A Bead Initiative invites the public to support these patients on their journey during end-of-life care by carrying a NorthStar Bead with them, then returning it with a message of encouragement. The bead is then gifted to someone in hospice care, ensuring that these patients are not alone in their health journey.

Statement from MNA President on Essentia supervisor’s threats to workers Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA), Duluth, MN; Press Release; 8/20/25 The following is a statement released by Minnesota Nurses Association President Chris Rubesch, RN: 

Research Institute for Home Care and National Alliance for Care at Home ink affiliation agreement National Alliance for Care at Home, Alexandria, VA and Washington, DC; Press Release; 8/20/25 The Research Institute for Home Care (the Institute) and the National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) have entered into an affiliation agreement to strengthen and expand research efforts while further unifying the care at home movement. The agreement is effective immediately. ... With this affiliation, the Institute will remain an independent research organization, ... The Institute’s Board of Directors will continue to independently oversee its research agenda and initiatives. The Alliance will provide comprehensive management support for the Institute’s operations. At the launch of the affiliation, Dr. Steve Landers, CEO of the Alliance, will also serve as the President of the Institute. Jennifer Schiller, the former Executive Director of the Institute, has joined the Alliance leadership team and will continue to support Institute initiatives along with other Alliance leaders. Jennifer Sheets, Founder and CEO of Carezzi, will remain the Board Chairman of the Institute.  

Davina McCall reveals 'end of life checklist' after devastating tumour news from doctor Express; by Emmanuella Ngimbi; 8/18/25 TV presenter Davina McCall opened up about the major action she took after being diagnosed with a brain tumour during a health check-up as part of her menopause advocacy work in November. Despite being told it was benign, the 57-year-old was convinced death was imminent and proceeded to make an end-of-life checklist, which she now says was “the best gift.” ... Davina revealed that in the end, her checklist came down to finding peace in the fact that her loved ones would survive without her.

Process & outcome evaluation of a rural health network to assess effectivenessJournal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice; by Sarah Mollman, Kelly Boyd, Charlene Berke, Mari Perrenoud, Vonda Reed, Carol Stewart; 8/19/25Background: Rural residents face many health disparities and challenges. Rural health networks form to address the specific needs of a community by bringing together multiple individuals and organisations; however, there is limited literature on the evaluation of these networks. Objective: To evaluate a network's effectiveness in three areas: (1) capacity to achieve change in palliative care education, (2) key results of collaborative efforts, and (3) extent to which grant activities were implemented.Results: The network was proficient or excelling in all 15 areas of a Network Organisational Assessment and represented all 38 key sectors representing the focus of network (palliative care). 

Light tomorrow with today. ~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Everyone deserves a dignified death. But will everyone get one? U.S. News & World Report; Commentary by Tom Koutsoumpas; 8/18/25 Before hospice care first came to the United States in the 1970s, the experience of dying in America was often a cold and lonely one. Most people spent their final days in stark, unfamiliar hospital rooms – places that felt more like holding cells than spaces of comfort – often without the warmth, dignity or closeness of those they loved most. ... Nonprofit hospices that are grounded in their communities deliver comprehensive support to patients and families and reinvest every dollar back into mission-driven services. They have consistently delivered some of the highest-quality outcomes for patients and families. ... The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation, which I founded in 2015, supports nonprofit hospices in upholding high standards and making sure end-of-life care is delivered with compassion – not profit – in mind. We have advocated for policies that put patients first, strengthen hospice regulations and advance quality, community-based care.

Attorney General Bonta conducts first-ever review of proposed hospice affiliations, conditionally approves transactions to ensure continued access to hospice services California Department of Justice, Rob Bonta - Attorney General, Oakland, CA; Press Release; 8/20/25California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced conditionally approving the affiliations of Chapters Health System, Inc., a Florida not-for-profit hospice provider, with two nonprofit hospice providers in California. Chapters Health System, Inc. is seeking to expand its current operations, which are largely based on the East Coast, through the creation of “Chapters West Region,” a nonprofit hospice network covering California, Nevada, and Oregon. Specifically, in California, Chapters Health System, Inc. proposed affiliations with East Bay Integrated Care, Inc. (doing business as Hospice East Bay) and Hospice of Santa Cruz County. Both Hospice East Bay and Hospice of Santa Cruz County are longstanding providers of hospice and palliative care in their respective communities. Under California law, any transaction involving the sale, or transfer of control and governance of a nonprofit health facility, must secure the approval of the Attorney General’s Office. Today’s conditional approval represents the first-ever review involving nonprofit hospice providers by the Attorney General’s Office; the overwhelming majority of hospice providers are for-profit entities.  

How to estimate your EHR implementation cost: Factors that impact your budget Joyrulez; by RickD32; 8/14/25 Implementing an EHR (Electronic Health Record) system is one of the most significant investments a healthcare organization can make. Beyond the obvious benefits of digital recordkeeping—such as improved patient care, streamlined workflows, and regulatory compliance—the financial implications of EHR implementation are considerable. Understanding the factors that influence costs is essential for accurate budgeting and successful project execution. This guide will break down the key considerations, providing insights into an ehr implementation cost breakdown, the roles involved, and hidden expenses that organizations often overlook.

Study: Specialized nursing home physicians cut emergency visits for Medicare dementia residentsMcKnights Long-Term Care News; by Donna Shryer; 8/17/25 A major new study suggests that Medicare beneficiaries with dementia receive better care when treated by clinicians who specialize in nursing home practice — meaning they provide at least 80% of their services in nursing facilities — rather than general practitioners who only occasionally visit. The research, published in JAMA Health Forum, analyzed care for more than 417,000 long-stay nursing home residents with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias over six years. The study found that residents cared for by nursing home specialists — clinicians who provide at least 80% of their services in nursing facilities — experienced 7% fewer preventable hospitalizations and emergency room visits compared to those treated by nonspecialists.

Pet volunteers helping those at Hinds Hospice through challenging times ABC Action News KFSN-30 - Fresno, CA; by Ana Torrea; 8/15/25 Going through a terminal illness can be hard on a person and their family. Being placed in hospice or palliative care can be just as isolating. Pet volunteers can help ease their feelings of anxiety and loneliness. Sven Hamilton is the Director of Volunteer Services with Hinds Hospice. "Most importantly, it's just being able to be there for our patients and to bring that little bit of joy as they are facing a disconnection with all the things they once loved," he said. Health experts say animal-assisted therapy can help enhance physical, emotional and social well-being.