Literature Review

The prevalence of hospital diagnostic errorsBecker's Clinical Leadership, by Paige Twenter; 1/8/24Nearly a fourth of patients who are transferred to intensive care units or die in hospitals are misdiagnosed or have delayed diagnoses, according to research published Jan. 8 in JAMA. In a study of more than 2,400 patient records, researchers employed physician reviewers trained in error adjudications to inspect each EHR for the admission and events leading up to an ICU transfer or death across 90 hospitals.

CDC map shows dramatic increase in illness nationwide: See where it’s worstNexstar Media Wire News / The Hill, by Alix Martichoux; 1/5/24What a difference a week can make. New data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Friday shows an 18% jump in people testing positive for influenza last week. The number of people going to the doctor with symptoms of respiratory illness — whether it be the flu, COVID, RSV, or none of the above — also continues to trend upward. Now, according to the CDC, 21 states and New York City are experiencing “very high” levels of sickness.

Provider partnerships providing driving palliative care growth  Hospice News, by Holly Vossel; 1/8/24An increasingly diverse base of health care providers have taken an interest in the palliative care space, a trend that could be indicative of how strategic growth is taking shape in the field. ... More home health care, health systems, hospices and primary care providers have gained a foothold in the palliative care space, often through community-based collaborations.

Hudson Valley Hospice opens new inpatient centerHospice News, by Holly Vossel; 1/4/24New York-based Hudson Valley Hospice has opened a new inpatient facility that will serve two counties in its home state.

Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection.  Mark Twain

Assisted living scrutiny by lay media continues into new yearMcKnights Senior Living, by Kimberly Bonvissuto; 1/8/24It’s been a rough few months for the assisted living sector as lay media reports put a spotlight on the varying — or a lack of — regulations covering operators, a situation they said has led to tragic outcomes for some residents. Georgia assisted living operators are the latest to come under scrutiny. ... Industry advocates say that it is unfair to paint all providers with one brush, but they acknowledge that the attention is a reminder that “good policies and procedures, routine staff training, and oversight to ensure staff are following the policies are vital for providing great care.”

The importance of emotional support services in mental healthYonkers Times, 1/8/24... ROLE IN HOSPCE CARE: In hospice settings, emotional support is crucial for helping both patients and their families manage the complex emotions associated with terminal illness. This support includes providing a safe space for expressing feelings like fear, grief, and anxiety and offering coping strategies. It aims to ease the emotional burden and improve the quality of life ..., recognizing the profound impact that a terminal diagnosis can have on both patients and their loved ones.

Local experts say number of people using hospices has decreased despite benefits Virginia News, by Emaryi Williams; 1/8/24According to a recent report by American Health Rankings, Virginia placed 30th nationally in deceased medicare patients who used hospice care, even though it was 17th nationally for senior health care. Local experts say they are seeing fewer opting for hospice care and are concerned about what it means for members of our community and their families who may need it.

Remote staff training boosts quality of life, lowers sedative use in residents with dementiaMcKnights Senior Living, by Kristen Fischer; 1/3/24A digital training program significantly improved the quality of life for people with dementia who lived in assisted living communities and nursing homes in the United Kingdom. As a result, there was a 20% reduction in use of psychotropic medications, the authors noted in a report published Dec. 20 in Alzheimer’s & Dementia. The goal of the 16-week program was to train staff members to deliver personalized care to residents. 

Hospice and home health care in Estes Park: A 2024 updateEstes Park Trail Gazette, by Dawn Wilson; 1/5/24Estes Park Health Board of Directors and management made the difficult decision to eliminate in-home hospice and home health care services as part of a plan to bring the hospital into a financially secure position. Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, marked the last day that Estes Park Health provided these services.

About 10 percent of Medicare home health providers do not use EHRs, study findsMcKnights Home Care, by Adam Healy; 1/3/24Home health agencies that do not have electronic health record (EHR) systems in place are at a disadvantage, but many still lack this technology, according to a recent study published in the journal Home Health Care Management and Practice. Among a sample of  more than 1,500 Medicare home health providers, about 10% did not use EHRs. 

Memorial Hermann drops Humana Medicare AdvantageBecker's Payer Issues, by Jakob Emerson; 1/4/24Houston-based Memorial Hermann Health System is no longer in network with Humana's Medicare Advantage plans, effective Jan. 1. The 17-hospital system told Houston Public Media that it continues to participate in Humana's commercial network. Humana told the outlet that its Medicare Advantage members who are actively receiving treatment at Memorial facilities, can "continue care until treatment is completed." In November, Memorial Hermann issued termination notices after the reimbursement dispute came to an impasse. It is unclear how many people are affected by the dispute. Along with its hospitals, Memorial has 6,700 affiliated physicians across 260 care delivery sites. Humana is the country's second largest MA insurer, with 5.9 million members as of Nov. 1.

Cap rates increase by 74 basis points across all segments of senior living and careMcKnights Senior Living, by Kathleen Steele Gaivin, 1/3/24The average senior housing and care capitalization rate across all segments increased by 74 basis points between April and October, according to results of the 13th edition of CBRE’s US Senior Housing & Care Investor Survey for the second half of 2023. An April survey had found that cap rates had increased for all sectors but skilled nursing. The commercial real estate services and investment company sought feedback from senior housing investors, developers, lenders and brokers throughout the United States. The survey was conducted in October, and results were released in December.