Literature Review
Steward Health Care hit with False Claims Act lawsuit
12/22/23 at 03:12 AMSteward Health Care hit with False Claims Act lawsuitHealthcare DiveDecember 20, 2023The federal government is suing Dallas-based Steward Health Care and its facilities, Steward Medical Group and Boston-based St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, for violating the False Claims Act and a physician self-referral law, according to a Monday announcement. The complaint, filed in Massachusetts District Court, alleges Steward Medical Group improperly linked a lead cardiologist’s compensation with his referrals, leading the group to award him nearly $5 million in incentive-based pay—and violating physician self-referral rules, known as the Stark Law.
Hospice of the Chesapeake celebrates highly successful first year with NICHE
12/22/23 at 03:10 AMHospice of the Chesapeake celebrates highly successful first year with NICHEAnne Arundel (MD) PatchDecember 20, 2023Pasadena, MD—Hospice of the Chesapeake is celebrating the graduation of seven registered nurses and 46 certified nursing assistants in a prestigious training program. It marks a highly successful first year as a member of the Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders, or NICHE, program of New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing. The program helped the not-for-profit hospice organization train nurses to become key leaders in the NICHE Leadership Training Program.
Report—Death rates in older adults dropped overall prior to pandemic
12/22/23 at 03:08 AMReport—Death rates in older adults dropped overall prior to pandemicMcKnight’s Long Term Care NewsDecember 20, 2023Death rates for adults 65 and older fell from 2000 through 2019, according to a new report that analyzed death rates among older adults prior to the pandemic. The National Vital Statistics Report was published on Dec. 15. Data in the report came from the National Center for Health Statistics between 2000 and 2019.
Caring for Dementia during the holidays
12/22/23 at 03:06 AMCaring for Dementia during the holidaysValley Times News (Lanett, AL)December 20, 2023The holidays can be a stressful time for everyone, but they pose a unique challenge for senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, or those living with dementia and their caregivers. Dr. Joe Downs, from the Chattahoochee Hospice, said checking on caregivers of people with dementia is important all year around, but it can be especially important during the holidays.
Washington Post Investigation on Elopements Puts Memory Care in the Spotlight
12/22/23 at 03:03 AMWashington Post Investigation on Elopements Puts Memory Care in the SpotlightSenior Housing NewsDecember 20, 2023A series of investigations from the Washington Post on resident elopement and staffing has shone a new light on memory care operators and the challenges they face keeping residents safe. One of the Post stories, published over the weekend, centered on residents who wandered away from memory care communities since 2018, almost 100 of which died. Most of the incidents involved residents of memory care communities, and among the struggles highlighted were staffing shortages and improper training. The story represents a new source of scrutiny for an industry that has intermittently struggled with bad press since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Fralin Museum of Art Uses Art to Prepare Future Doctors for End-of-Life Care
12/22/23 at 03:01 AMFralin Museum of Art Uses Art to Prepare Future Doctors for End-of-Life CareHyperallergicDecember 18, 2023For nearly a decade, future nurses and doctors enrolled at the University of Virginia have attended a workshop at the school’s Fralin Museum of Art to help prepare them for end-of-life care, a historically under-discussed subject in medical schools that has been increasingly incorporated into curricula in recent years.
Today's Encouragement: The perfect holiday season
12/22/23 at 03:00 AM"We get so frustrated and weary chasing the perfect holiday season that we never take time to enjoy the one right in front of us." Joshua Becker
Today's Number
12/21/23 at 04:00 AM0.5%Wall Street Journal, 12/20/23U.S. Population Grew 0.5% As Pandemic Effects Faded.
What to know about home healthcare and home care
12/21/23 at 04:00 AMWhat to know about home healthcare and home careModern HealthcareDecember 19, 2023Efforts to move more care into the home got a boost last week when the Biden administration announced $37 billion in funding to support home- and community-based services through the American Rescue Plan Act. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is encouraging states to use the money to create registries for consumers of direct care workers who can provide home-based care to Medicaid beneficiaries, as well as those who do not receive Medicaid benefits. ... Here is what you need to know about the services and their growth. ...
Caregivers more financially burdened, less prepared for large emergency expenses
12/21/23 at 04:00 AMCaregivers more financially burdened, less prepared for large emergency expensesMcKnight’s Senior LivingDecember 19, 2023Caregivers are more likely to be burdened by finances and less likely to be prepared than noncaregivers for large emergency expenses, according to data from the Employee Benefit Research Institute. ... The report noted that caregivers are predominantly women and minorities. They tend to be older, single workers as well, compared to the workforce at large. ... Still, according to the data, caregivers are more likely to find themselves in a pickle when emergency expenses arise, such as a costly prescription or a medical expense exceeding $5,000.
CNA Turnover Linked to Scheduling Choices, Staff Stability, Optimal Hours Worked
12/21/23 at 04:00 AMCNA Turnover Linked to Scheduling Choices, Staff Stability, Optimal Hours WorkedSkilled Nursing NewsDecember 19, 2023Part-time certified nursing assistants play a crucial role in providing patient care at skilled nursing facilities mired with staffing shortages, and yet they face high turnover rates. Washington State University analyzed the impact of scheduling decisions on part-time CNA turnover, addressing three key research questions related to hours worked and coworker variability. ... The study revealed a “U-shaped relationship” between hours worked and turnover—meaning too few hours or too many hours worked impacted turnover.
Amy Abernethy to step down as Verily’s chief medical officer in latest departure from company
12/21/23 at 04:00 AMAmy Abernethy to step down as Verily’s chief medical officer in latest departure from company. STAT, 12/19/23Amy Abernethy, the president of product development and chief medical officer at Verily, a health care spinout of search giant Alphabet, will leave the company at the end of the first quarter to start a nonprofit aimed at changing the way the health care system collects data.
Joliet nurses likely to reject Ascension’s ‘last, best and final’ contract offer
12/21/23 at 04:00 AMJoliet nurses likely to reject Ascension’s ‘last, best and final’ contract offerShaw Local News NetworkDecember 18, 2023Joliet, IL—The Illinois Nurses’ Association at Ascension St. Joseph—Joliet is voting on the hospital’s “last best and final offer” for a new contract and is expected to reject the contract proposal.
Today's 10-Second Question
12/21/23 at 04:00 AMYesterday's question was: How do YOU use information from Hospice & Palliative Care Today?Other Responses: To get a jump on the competition.
Health Care: To Advance Effective AI Strategy, Lay Policy Groundwork
12/21/23 at 04:00 AMHealth Care: To Advance Effective AI Strategy, Lay Policy Groundwork Wall Street Journal, 12/19/23Integrating an understanding of public policy into AI strategy and design can help health care organizations stay directionally aligned with policy trends while advancing their tech strategy. ... Many health care leaders may be keen to roll out AI within their organizations to promote efficiency and drive value, but moving too fast may have the opposite effect.
John Muir, Tenet hospital deal collapses following FTC lawsuit
12/21/23 at 03:58 AMJohn Muir, Tenet hospital deal collapses following FTC lawsuitHealthcare DiveDecember 19, 2023John Muir Health will not acquire San Ramon Regional Medical Center from Tenet Healthcare following a lawsuit from the Federal Trade Commission filed last month. The FTC announced on Monday it dismissed its lawsuit seeking to block John Muir’s acquisition after the hospital systems agreed to terminate the deal last week.
Jefferson, Lehigh Valley Health to merge in 2024
12/21/23 at 03:54 AMJefferson, Lehigh Valley Health to merge in 2024Modern HealthcareDecember 19, 2023Jefferson and Lehigh Valley Health Network plan to merge next year, creating a system of 30 hospitals and more than 700 care sites in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The two health systems said Tuesday they have signed a non-binding letter of intent to merge and plan to sign a definitive agreement and close the transaction sometime in 2024, pending regulatory approval.
FTC, DOJ finalize merger guidelines that could impede healthcare M&A
12/21/23 at 03:53 AMFTC, DOJ finalize merger guidelines that could impede healthcare M&AHealthcare DiveDecember 19, 2023Federal antitrust agencies on Monday finalized stricter guidelines for mergers and acquisitions that could make it more difficult for healthcare deals to close. The guidelines lay out a framework that the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission use when reviewing proposed deals and that the courts can reference in overseeing challenges.
A Lukewarm Home Health, Hospice Dealmaking Year Comes To A Close
12/21/23 at 03:49 AMA Lukewarm Home Health, Hospice Dealmaking Year Comes To A CloseHome Health Care NewsDecember 19, 2023Following consecutive record years for health care transactions, 2023 was a comparatively lukewarm time for home health and hospice dealmaking activity. That’s according to a recent report from PwC. Specifically, there were 95 home health and hospice deals in the 12 months examined by PwC, which ended on Nov. 15., compared to 114 during the same period last year. The deals were worth $4.7 billion. ... PwC experts believe that M&A will likely be a key growth and profit driver next year.
Residential Hospice Acquires Safe Haven
12/21/23 at 03:48 AMResidential Hospice Acquires Safe HavenHospice NewsDecember 19, 2023Residential Hospice has acquired Illinois-based Safe Haven Hospice from the senior living provider Christian Horizons for an undisclosed sum. The transaction expands Residential’s presence in four Illinois counties.
Rome Community Foundation awards nearly $184K in fourth-quarter grants
12/21/23 at 03:47 AMRome Community Foundation awards nearly $184K in fourth-quarter grantsCentral New York Business JournalDecember 19, 2023Rome, NY—The Rome Community Foundation announced it has awarded $183,616 in grants—ranging from $500 to $25,000 each—to 21 Rome-area charitable organizations. The recipients include: Hospice and Palliative Care, $15,000; ...
Charity fashion show raises $37,000 for hospice patients
12/21/23 at 03:46 AMCharity fashion show raises $37,000 for hospice patientsSuncoast News (Port Richey, FL)December 19, 2023New Port Richey, FL—Nearly $37,000 was raised at the Candace Glewen Charity Fashion Show on Dec. 5 to benefit Gulfside Hospice, with proceeds to provide patient care and bereavement support for the community.
The Hospice Action Network Presents 2023 Angel Awards Honorees
12/21/23 at 03:42 AMThe Hospice Action Network Presents 2023 Angel Awards HonoreesNews ReleaseDecember 19, 2023Alexandria, VA—The Hospice Action Network (HAN), the advocacy affiliate group of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), is pleased to announce its 2023 Hospice Action Network Angel Award Honorees. ... New this year is the addition of the first-ever “Courageous Conversations Award” to be presented, when merited, to a standout individual who has inspired and educated the public on the value of hospice. At 99, former President Jimmy Carter is the longest living U.S. President and the first known President to utilize the Medicare Hospice Benefit. This year’s HAN award recipients are as follows:
LCHD head defends hospice program budget
12/21/23 at 03:40 AMLCHD head defends hospice program budgetPen City Current (Fort Madison, IA)December 19, 2023Fort Madison, IA—It would appear that a push by some on the Lee County Board of Supervisors to get out of the hospice business is at a stand still. At Monday’s regular meeting of the board, Keokuk resident Mary Jo Reisberg and an employee of the health department advocated for the county staying in the hospice business to make sure that every county resident has a choice for care. ... Several members of the board, including Chairman Garry Seyb, said they don’t think the county should be engaged in business that competes with private for-profit companies.
Hudson Valley Hospice Opens its First Residence
12/21/23 at 03:37 AMHudson Valley Hospice Opens its First ResidenceHudson Valley Press (Newburgh, NY)December 19, 2023Poughkeepsie, NY—Michael Kaminski, President and CEO of Hudson Valley Hospice, announced that the Hudson Valley Hospice House is now open to patients. ... Suites can also be converted for pediatric patient care to meet the extraordinary needs of our youngest patients and their loved ones.