Literature Review

"We make a living by what we give. We make a life by what we give." Winston Churchill

Carver Middle School students show compassion, support for hospice patientsLaurinburg (NC) ExchangeDecember 15, 2023Laurinburg, NC—December is usually a short month for Scotland County Schools due to the holiday break. However, several students at Carver Middle School have gone above and beyond with their time and efforts. Two school organizations, the Blue Blazers and Students Against Violence Everywhere (S.A.V.E) have embraced the true spirit of the season by supporting Scotland Regional Hospice through their respective community service campaigns. 

Hospice of WF surpasses $300,000 goal in Tree of Lights campaignKAUZ-TV (Wichita Falls, TX)December 15, 2023Wichita Falls, TX—Since November 21, the Texoma community has worked hard to help the Hospice of Wichita Falls reach their goal, which this year was $300,000. Alisa Echols, Executive Director at the hospice said with the amount of support that is shown throughout the year, she’s never surprised to see the amount they hoped for is met. ... At the last check on Friday, $315,000 was the amount raised.

How Changing Consolidation Rules Could Affect Hospice ‘Megadeals’Hospice NewsDecember 15, 2023President Joe Biden in 2021 announced a set of new rules and guidelines for mergers and acquisitions, with pledges to implement by mid-2024. ... In the years since the administration took this position, scrutiny of M&A transactions has been on the rise, as have associated lawsuits and investigations by government agencies, including the U.S. Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission.

The (Surprisingly) Good News on Life Expectancy—It’s Still Going UpWall Street JournalDecember 15, 2023Over the past decade a number of alarming stories have chronicled the decline of U.S. life expectancy in the midst of rising overdose deaths, Covid-19, alcohol-related deaths and suicides. It turns out there are two ways to measure mortality and life expectancy, and the one you hear about the most paints a misleadingly pessimistic picture of the future. Last month the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said life expectancy, which hit a 25-year low in 2021, climbed to 74.8 years for men and 80.2 for women in 2022, but those were still well below prepandemic levels.

Orlando Health boosts operating performance by $734M in FY 2023Becker’s Hospital CFO ReviewDecember 15, 2023Orlando (FL) Health transformed a $422.7 million operating loss (-8% margin) in fiscal year 2022 into a $310.8 million gain (5.1% margin) in FY 2023, according to financial documents published Dec. 13. The results equate to a $733.5 million swing from the black to the red. Revenue increased 15.9% year over year to $6.1 billion while expenses rose 16.1% to $5.6 billion.

SLU Hospital nurses plan two-day strike in late-DecemberKTVI-TV (St. Louis, MO)December 15, 2023St. Louis, MO—A group of SLU Hospital nurses is planning a two-day strike later this month. Organizers say the strike comes in protest of “union-busting” practices and outsourcing of RN jobs. Nurses gave their employer (SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital) notice Friday that they would plan a 48-hour strike. It’s currently scheduled outside the hospital from 7 a.m. on Dec. 27 to 6:59 a.m. on Dec. 29.

Iowa nursing homes wait up to 41 months for an ‘annual’ inspectionIowa Capital DispatchDecember 15, 2023The state of Iowa isn’t meeting the federally mandated standards for nursing home oversight, with some care facilities waiting up to 41 months for an annual inspection. Federal regulations require that no more than 15.9 months elapse between annual inspections at individual Medicaid-certified nursing homes. The regulations also require that, collectively, the state inspect all nursing homes on an average of 12.9 months, if not sooner.

2024: Healthcare Insiders Predict The FutureForbes, 12/14/23By Sachin  H. JainCan others predict what the future holds for healthcare? To find out, I asked colleagues, friends and other people I admire in the healthcare industry to weigh in with their predictions for 2024. From AI to pharmaceuticals to the cost of care, their viewpoints cover a range of topics. I hope you find their predictions and insights as intriguing as I do.Editor Note: Article includes 20 topics, including...

Horizon Home Care & Hospice announces CEO’s retirementWashington County Daily News, 12/16/23MILWAUKEE — Horizon Home Care & Hospice announced on Thursday that CEO Mary Haynor will be retiring on Jan. 5, 2024. "Mary’s outstanding leadership and 24-year commitment to Horizon has resulted in exceptional services in home care, hospice and grief support," said Chair of Horizon’s Board of Directors and VP of Post Acute Care with Froedtert Health Diane Ehn in the release. "She has made a difference in the lives of others and this community impact will be her legacy."

Big Medicare Changes Coming in 2024AARP, 12/14/23By Dena BunisThe new year rings in more Rx drug savings, higher Part B premiums and new Advantage rules.

When being home for the holidays is a giftBy Craig DresangDavis (CA) EnterpriseDecember 16, 2023No one wants to think about hospice when the holidays are approaching, but this is precisely when it should be considered. Hospice care can keep loved ones at home and in the thick of all the family activities while their pain and symptoms are expertly managed, improving quality of life. Hospice enables your loved one to be where they feel most comfortable: their home. From medical support and personal care to companionship, hospice brings peace of mind to patients and their families now and all through the year.[Editor’s Note: The author is the CEO of Yolo Cares, Davis, CA.]

Creative Role Development, Organizational Culture Keys to Battling 2024’s Staffing HeadwindsHospice NewsDecember 15, 2023The worst of the staffing challenges is far from over for embattled hospice providers seeking fruitful recruitment and retention strategies in 2024. Operators will continue to reckon with clinical capacity strains next year as hospices contend with rising demand from a swelling aging population, according to Nick Westfall, CEO of VITAS Healthcare, a subsidiary of Chemed Corp. ... These taxed clinicians can find a variety of opportunities in the different interdisciplinary roles of hospice care that they might not otherwise have in hospitals or health systems, according to St. Croix CEO Heath Bartness.