Literature Review
Forbes Leadership Strategy: 5 reasons you should seek to work with people who think differently
10/18/24 at 03:00 AMForbes Leadership Strategy: 5 reasons you should seek to work with people who think differently Forbes; by Kate Vitasek; 10/17/24 One of the most common pitfalls we see in the business world is when organizations exclusively work with people who think like they do. While at first glance, this could seem like it would help the organization become more unified, in the long run, it can actually do more harm than good. Instead, you should seek to work with people who think differently from you. By bringing in people with unique perspectives and backgrounds, you can unlock a host of valuable benefits that will serve you well in both the short- and long-term.
Where is assisted dying legal? How the rules worldwide compare
10/18/24 at 03:00 AMWhere is assisted dying legal? How the rules worldwide compare The Times, London, UK; by Bruno Waterfield, Josie Ensor, and Bernard Lagan; 10/16/24In 1937, Switzerland legalised assisted suicide provided those doing the assisting were not motivated by “any selfish intent”. Six decades later, the US state of Oregon legalised physician-assisted suicide for people with less than six months to live. In 2001, the Netherlands became the first country in the world to decriminalise assisted dying. In the two decades since, the debate around a state or nation’s approach to life and death has sped up. Belgium, Australia and ten more US states have decriminalised forms of assisted dying. The approach varies, but they all fall under the umbrella of assisted dying, a term that usually refers either to euthanasia — the practice of a doctor administering a lethal drug — or to assisted suicide, in which a person self-administers a lethal drug, often after someone has helped them to procure it. [Click on the title's link for its list of comparisons.]
Executive Personnel Changes - 10/18/24
10/18/24 at 03:00 AMExecutive Personnel Changes - 10/18/24
The future of healthcare systems with Richard Church
10/18/24 at 03:00 AMThe future of healthcare systems with Richard Church Podcast by Teleios Collaborative Network; by Chris Comeaux; 10/15/24 In this conversation, Chris Comeaux interviews Rich Church, the Chief Growth and Strategy Officer of Parkview Health in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Chris and Rich discuss the future of nonprofit healthcare systems. Rich explains that nonprofit systems need to think like for-profit organizations in the future in terms of managing their finances, but the difference lies in how they use their margins to invest back into their communities. Nonprofits use their margins to provide care to those who may not have access otherwise, while for-profits distribute their margins to stockholders. Rich also emphasizes the importance of innovation and simplification in healthcare, as well as the need for a cultural shift that encourages risk-taking and learning from mistakes. The conversation explores the importance of preventing high acuity care and keeping patients healthier to bend the cost curve in the long run.
BCBS reaches record antitrust settlement for $2.8B
10/18/24 at 03:00 AMBCBS reaches record antitrust settlement for $2.8B Becker's Payer Issues; by Jakob Emerson; 10/16/24 The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, along with the 33 independent BCBS companies, have agreed to pay $2.8 billion to settle antitrust claims from healthcare providers, marking the largest settlement of its kind in the healthcare industry. In addition to the cash settlement, the plaintiffs stated in an Oct. 14 filing in Alabama federal court that BCBS plans must implement significant operational changes across 16 categories. These changes include how BCBS processes claims, communicates, contracts with, and makes payments to providers. The new operational requirements are expected to alleviate administrative burdens and inefficiencies experienced by providers, according to the plaintiffs' counsel. The settlement applies to providers who treated BCBS members between July 2008 and October 2024. The tentative agreement still requires approval from U.S. District Judge R. David Proctor. The BCBS Association denies the allegations made in the lawsuit.
Today's Encouragement: Advice from a pumpkin ...
10/18/24 at 03:00 AMAdvice from a pumpkin: be well-rounded, get plenty of sunshine, give thanks for life's bounty, have thick skin, keep growing, be outstanding in your field, think big! ~ Unknown
Update on 3 nonprofit hospices impacted by Helene
10/18/24 at 03:00 AMUpdate on 3 nonprofit hospices impacted by Helene Hospice & Palliative Care Today; Chris Comeaux with Cordt Kassner and Joy Berger; 10/17/24Chris Comeaux shared updates on hospices impacted by the recent natural disaster. While no patients or staff were lost, some completely lost their homes or experienced significant property damage. The final loss of life remains uncertain due to unaccounted people. Hospices nationally have shown unity in supporting local counterparts through financial aid, supplies, and volunteer efforts coordinated by many nonprofits. Certain areas may lack electricity until March. Hospices face challenges like displaced skilled nursing facilities, but resources are being mobilized. Chris announced a tabletop discussion in November to learn from this experience and highlighted the need for continued patient monitoring, especially in evacuation zones. To read more and contribute:
Estes Park's only hospital joining UCHealth System
10/18/24 at 03:00 AMEstes Park's only hospital joining UCHealth System Fort Collins Coloradoan; by Kelly Lyell; 10/17/24 Estes Park Health has started the process of joining the UCHealth System, with an expected starting date in the spring of 2025, the two organizations announced in a joint news release Wednesday. ... Estes Park Health has been financially challenged in recent years to maintain its services, the news release said, citing problems hospitals across the country have had keeping up with “dramatically increasing expenses, rising uncompensated care and minimal increases in reimbursements from Medicare and Medicaid.” As a result, the only hospital serving the Estes Valley, including visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park, has had to transfer or reduce its obstetrics, home health and hospice services.Editor's note: We've been following this story as but one of many examples of rural healthcare examples that result in reduced utilization for hospice services.
AAHPM Board President: Telehealth access ‘critical’ for hospice patients
10/18/24 at 03:00 AMAAHPM Board President: Telehealth access ‘critical’ for hospice patientsHospice News; by Jim Parker; 10/17/24 The forthcoming expiration of telehealth flexibilities implemented during the pandemic could have a devastating impact on vulnerable populations, including those receiving hospice or palliative care. This is according to Dr. Holly Yang, board president of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM). Currently, temporary federal rules allowing for greater access to telehealth are set to expire on Dec. 31. While legislation is in play to extend them, the outcome is uncertain, and the end of the year is approaching. Hospice News sat down with Yang to discuss the importance of these flexibilities and how their impending departure could impact patients and families, particularly those in rural areas or with limited mobility, poor health equity or social determinants of health needs.
Atria to exit home care business to focus on senior living portfolio
10/18/24 at 02:00 AMAtria to exit home care business to focus on senior living portfolioMcKnights Senior Living; by Kimberly Bonvissuto; 10/16/24 Atria Senior Living is shuttering its New York-based home care subsidiary in an effort to focus on its core business of senior living. In a “warn unit” notice filed Oct. 10 with the New York Department of Labor, Atria Home Care cited economic reasons for the layoffs of 161 employees from its Garden City, NY-based home care business, which will be effective Jan. 8. “After careful consideration, we have made the decision to discontinue operations at Atria Home Care in an effort to focus on our core business of social model senior living communities,” a spokesperson for Atria told McKnight’s Senior Living. “We are working with all home care customers and employees on a transition to other home care providers and are committed to supporting our employees and clients through these changes over the next several weeks.”
CMS grants temporary relief for home health, hospice agencies affected by hurricane
10/18/24 at 02:00 AMCMS grants temporary relief for home health, hospice agencies affected by hurricane McKnights Home Care; by Adam Healy; 10/15/24 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued several temporary flexibilities intended to help hospices and home health agencies affected by Hurricane Helene continue to provide care amid the emergency. During the emergency period, home health providers may take advantage of extended deadlines for quality reporting and patient assessment requirements, according to CMS. The agency communicated last week that it would permit delayed Outcome and Assessment Information Set submissions, and it also extended the five-day completion requirement for patients’ comprehensive assessments to 30 days. These patients assessments may also be conducted remotely or by record view — a departure from the typical in-person requirement — during the temporary emergency period. CMS said that this change will allow patients to be cared for in the environment of their choice, reduce impacts on acute care and long-term care facilities, and maximize clinicians’ ability to care for patients with the greatest acuity.
Why your drug store is closing
10/18/24 at 02:00 AMWhy your drug store is closing CNN Business, New York, NY; by Nathaniel Meyerson; 10/16/24 CVS is closing 900 stores. Rite-Aid is closing 500. Walgreens announced Tuesday it plans to close 1,200 stores, meaning 1 in 7 will disappear. What is going on with America’s drug stores? Walgreens and other chains overexpanded during the 1990s and 2000s to drive out competitors and draw more customers. They are now shutting down because of shifting consumer habits, competition and changes in the pharmacy industry. Around 25% of Walgreens’ stores aren’t profitable, CEO Tim Wentworth said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal in June, and the chain will look to close stores that are right by one another or struggling to hold down theft. ... CVS, the largest US chain, closed 244 stores between 2018 and 2020. In 2021, it announced plans to close an additional 900 stores. Earlier this month, CVS said it planned to cut about 2,900 jobs corporate jobs. And Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy last year, closing up to 500 stores.
Hospice Sabbath
10/17/24 at 03:30 AMHospice Sabbath Progressive Journal; by Hospice of Chesterfield County Foundation; 10/14/24 As you attend your place of worship the weekend of November 1-3, 2024, you may see a single white carnation displayed in a prominent location. Hospice of Chesterfield County Foundation has chosen the white carnation as a symbol for the observance of Hospice Sabbath. Churches are being asked to participate by displaying a white carnation in memory of all who have received Hospice services. ... These individuals were significant to their families and to our community. They were our neighbors, our co-workers, our friends, and our loved ones. ... In its simple elegance, the white carnation symbolizes the hope and dignity which Hospice helped to ensure for these individuals and for their families. In its fragile beauty, the carnation reminds us of the sacredness of life and the mystery of death. Hospice recognizes that endings are inevitable; yet, life is affirmed as persons are encouraged to live each moment to its greatest capacity.
Music therapist helps patients navigate end-of-life journey on Long Island
10/17/24 at 03:15 AMMusic therapist helps patients navigate end-of-life journey on Long Island CBS New York / YouTube; by Jenna DeAngelis; 10/15/24 Music therapy helps with emotional and physical health, and now the healing power of music is being brought to hospice patients on Long Island.
Video: North Hawaii Hospice holds lantern floating ceremony
10/17/24 at 03:10 AMVideo: North Hawaii Hospice holds lantern floating ceremony Big Island Video News; 10/15/24 The annual floating lantern ceremony was held Sunday evening at the Fairmont Orchid. ... The event was organized by North Hawaii Hospice, ... “The goal is to honor and remember those who have passed, in a group setting,” said North Hawaiʻi Hospice executive director Faye Mitchell. “We get to share in our grief, but also in our joy about the people that we’ve loved and who are no longer with us.” ... “When people come, they have a lantern paper which they get to decorate and write messages for their loved ones. And then they put that lantern paper onto a base, and at sunset we helped them light a candle in that lantern. ... “I am an organizer of this event, but I am definitely also a participant,” Mitchell said. “I lost my son Geno in February of this year. He was 24 years old. I have to say, one of the key things I learned from the experience is that grief shouldn’t be kept to myself. ... There’s something about sharing your grief with others who know what it’s like. So that’s why I share it even now, with everyone watching, because if … you’ve lost someone you’re not alone, and if you share this experience with others you’d be surprised how many people have gone through this. It’s so much better not to be alone in this."
How physicians can navigate ethical conflicts when caring for patients
10/17/24 at 03:00 AMHow physicians can navigate ethical conflicts when caring for patients Physician's Weekly; 10/14/24 ... According to the president of The Physicians Foundation, Gary Price, MD, ethics in medical care are particularly complicated regarding end-of-life choices. While decades ago, a patient’s primary care provider (PCP) would have been involved in that patient’s hospitalized care and their end-of-life decisions within the hospital, the fragmented nature of today’s healthcare system has all but eliminated PCPs from involvement in hospitalized patient care. As such, patients often make end-of-life decisions based on the guidance of doctors with whom they have no pre-existing relationship. Other factors that blur ethical lines in healthcare, adds Dr. Price, are the new state of healthcare ownership and financing. Dr. Price mentions, for instance, conflicts of interest due to the US’s biggest employer of physicians, Optum, being a subsidiary of the same company that owns UnitedHealthcare. This situation allows for an insurer who controls reimbursement and who could, as the physician’s employer, influence decisions made regarding patient care. Sadly, this influence largely comes from financial concern instead of concern for the patient’s best health outcomes.
Mass General Brigham tests drones for 'hospital at home': 6 things to know
10/17/24 at 03:00 AMMass General Brigham tests drones for 'hospital at home': 6 things to know Becker's Health IT; by Giles Bruce; 10/15/24 Somerville, Mass.-based Mass General Brigham has tested out drone delivery for its hospital-at-home program. Here are six things to know:
Hospice of the Western Reserve receives $3M gift
10/17/24 at 03:00 AMHospice of the Western Reserve receives $3M gift Cleveland Jewish News; 10/16/24 Hospice of the Western Reserve announced a landmark $3 million leadership gift from The James and Angela Hambrick Foundation to the Quality of Life capital campaign, according to a news release. The gift to the capital campaign will help build a new Hospice Care and Community Center on Lake Erie in Cleveland, the release said. “The ideal of nonprofit superior end-of-life care for our community runs strong through us,” James Hambrick, retired chairman and CEO of Lubrizol Corp., said in the release. “My wife, Angela, and I are very pleased to make a major leadership gift toward the new Hospice Care center.” ... “We are profoundly grateful to James and Angela Hambrick for their extraordinary generosity,” Bill Finn, president and CEO of Hospice of the Western Reserve, said in the release. ... The new Hospice Care and Community Center, scheduled to open in 2026, will feature 32 private patient rooms, all with views of Lake Erie, enhanced family spaces and state-of-the-art technology to support the increasing complexity of end-of-life care, the release said.
Exploding physician union membership signals a significant labor market shift
10/17/24 at 03:00 AMExploding physician union membership signals a significant labor market shift NJToday.net; 10/16/24 As of 2022, about 70,000 medical doctors in the United States, or about 8% of the physician workforce, belonged to a union—a notable increase of 26.8% since 2014. This shift reflects significant changes in the employment landscape for doctors, with nearly half of all physicians now working for health systems or large medical groups. The rise in union membership comes amidst broader labor movements in healthcare, highlighted by the 2023 Kaiser Permanente strike, recognized as the largest healthcare worker strike in U.S. history. While nurses have typically led these efforts, physicians and residents are increasingly exploring unionization as a means to advocate for improved pay, benefits, and working conditions.
Stratis Health builds framework for expanding rural community-based palliative care
10/17/24 at 03:00 AMStratis Health builds framework for expanding rural community-based palliative care Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 10/16/24 The health care performance improvement company Stratis Health has developed a framework for expanding access to palliative care in rural communities. The company’s strategy convenes resources and organizations that already exist in a given community to help meet patient’s palliative care, psychosocial, spiritual and social determinants of health needs. It leverages those resources to offer a wraparound suite of services for seniors and seriously ill patients. Hospice News spoke with Karla Weng, senior program manager for Stratis Health, about how health care providers and other stakeholders serving rural communities can come together to better serve their patients and clients. ... The field has shifted in more recent years, so that community-based really means anywhere but the hospital. It might be in a clinic. It might be home care. We’re not that prescriptive. So we have sometimes shifted to using the language “community centric.” The way that we work with communities who are interested in going down this path is helping them first to do a gap analysis and assessment of the resources that are already there in their community. ... [Click on the title's link to continue reading.]
What the heck is a PBM, and why does it matter?
10/17/24 at 03:00 AMWhat the heck is a PBM, and why does it matter? Forbes; by Web Golinkin; 10/14/24... [Pharmacy Benefit Managers] PBM BasicsUnless you are a healthcare industry insider—and even if you are— it’s difficult to understand exactly how PBMs work. While they are essentially invisible to the average health plan member, PBMs have a tremendous impact on which medications are covered, the prices paid for these medications, and how patients access them. Here’s a summary of key PBM functions: Formulary Management. ... Negotiating Discounts and Rebates. ... Pharmacy Network Management. ... Claims Processing. ... Clinical Management. ... How PBMs Influence Drug Costs: Rebate System. ... High Deductible Health Plans. ... Prior Authorization and Step Therapy. ... Spread Pricing. ... What Are the Alternatives? ...
Dozens of CarePartners patients in Asheville transferred to other facilities after HCA temporarily shuts down rehab, hospice center
10/17/24 at 03:00 AMDozens of CarePartners patients in Asheville transferred to other facilities after HCA temporarily shuts down rehab, hospice center Asheville Watchdog; by Andrew R. Jones; 10/14/24 Hundreds of employees uncertain about their jobs after facility is closed to ease pressure on Mission Hospital. Mission Health’s CarePartners Health Services is temporarily closed following the pressures Hurricane Helene put on Asheville’s health care system, disrupting rehabilitative care for more than 50 patients and forcing more than 250 employees to take temporary jobs elsewhere in the system, according to employees and internal emails obtained by Asheville Watchdog. ... The closing affected nearly 50 inpatient rehab patients, several long-term acute care patients, and eight hospice patients, all of whom were sent to home caregivers, skilled nursing facilities, other inpatient rehab programs, and UNC Health Caldwell in Lenoir, more than an hour’s drive to the east, according to one employee.
Today's Encouragement: How beautifully leaves grow old ...
10/17/24 at 03:00 AMThe best way out is always through. ~ Robert Frost
Palliative medications: what works in practice for symptom control?
10/17/24 at 03:00 AMPalliative medications: what works in practice for symptom control?Nursing Times; by Sally-Anne Francis, Eunice Sirkett, Emily Anderson and Sarah Yardley; 10/14/24 This article explores the real-life challenges of managing symptoms with medication at the end of life. ... Key points:
4 trends in healthcare executive pay
10/17/24 at 03:00 AM4 trends in healthcare executive pay Becker's Hospital Review; by Kelly Gooch; 10/15/24 A 2024 survey conducted by SullivanCotter highlights a range of trends in healthcare executive pay, including a year-over-year jump in median base salaries. The consulting firm's "2024 Healthcare Management and Executive Compensation Survey" is based on data from more than 3,300 organizations representing nearly 45,110 executives and managers. Here are four trends from the survey, which was conducted from January to April: