Literature Review
Communication gaps among clinicians may limit conversations about prognosis, hospice
10/17/24 at 03:00 AMCommunication gaps among clinicians may limit conversations about prognosis, hospice Healio - HemOncToday; by Jennifer Byrne; 10/16/24 Clinicians in acute or post-acute care settings may delay or avoid serious illness conversations with patients whose cancer prognoses are worsening out of deference to the patient’s oncologist, according to study findings. Researchers conducted 37 semi-structured interviews with physicians and leaders in hospital medicine, oncology, palliative care, home health care and hospice. Investigators coded and analyzed the interviews using thematic content analysis. Evaluation of the responses yielded insights into how care silos, lack of clear clinical roles and other factors may affect communication between oncologists and other clinicians. ... "We know that the 3-month window after an older adult with cancer is discharged to a skilled nursing facility can be comprised of complex medical decision making and changing preferences of care. Lack of appropriate serious illness communication during this time can result in unwanted hospitalizations and unwanted, aggressive care at the end of life."
Researchers raise concerns about the financial sector's rising role in US illness care
10/17/24 at 02:30 AMResearchers raise concerns about the financial sector's rising role in US illness care Medical Xpress; by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc; 10/16/24 The authors of a new article in Journal of Palliative Medicine state that the "growing role of the financial sector in home health and hospice, a reflection of larger trends in U.S. health care, is concerning and has major implications for care quality unless reforms are undertaken." Co-authors Lauren Hunt, Ph.D., RN, FN, with the University of California, San Francisco, and R. Sean Morrison, MD, with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, observe that home health and hospice began as nonprofit organizations with close ties to their communities. However, the overwhelming majority are now for-profit entities, many of which have become targets for private equity buyouts. The authors note that "big business's emphasis on maximizing profit can be at odds with patient welfare. Indeed, a substantial body of evidence now demonstrates that care quality is consistently worse in for-profits as compared to nonprofits," they state. The authors further express concern that "pressure to achieve high returns on very short-term time horizons may conflict with the need for longer-term investments in quality, training, and staffing, thus reducing care quality.
The quiet, transformative power of introverted leaders
10/17/24 at 02:00 AMThe quiet, transformative power of introverted leaders Forbes; by Benjamin Laker; 10/14/24 When workplaces celebrate loud voices, charismatic personalities, and the “move fast, break things” attitude of leadership, introverts may seem out of place. Leadership, we’re told, belongs to the extroverts—the ones who command rooms, deliver inspiring speeches, and thrive in the spotlight. But what if we’ve been overlooking a quieter form of leadership all along? Introverted leaders are often the unsung heroes of organizations, possessing a unique power that’s grounded in thoughtfulness, empathy, and a deep understanding of their team. The truth is, the quiet power of introverted leaders is not just an alternative leadership style—it’s a vital force for creating sustainable success.
Big Bend Hospice opens new community-built field office in Jefferson County
10/16/24 at 03:30 AMBig Bend Hospice opens new community-built field office in Jefferson County Business Wire, Tallahassee, FL; by Big Bend Hospice; 10/15/24 Big Bend Hospice has opened a new field office in Jefferson County, located in the heart of Monticello’s historic district, replacing its previous location at 187 Walnut St. The new office, made possible by the Big Bend Hospice Jefferson County Advisory Council and the community’s dedicated fundraising efforts, will serve as the hub for Big Bend Hospice’s clinical staff and volunteers, who provide in-home patient care throughout Jefferson County. Built entirely through local donations over the past nine years, the project is a testament to the strength and commitment of the community. “This field office reflects the deep support Jefferson County has for hospice care,” said Michael Eurich, senior director of strategy, policy, and innovation at Big Bend Hospice.
Family Hospice celebrates grand opening
10/16/24 at 03:15 AMFamily Hospice celebrates grand opening EIN Presswire, Gainesville, GA; by BPR International; 10/14/24 Family Hospice announces the grand opening of its new location in Gainesville. The community is invited to a grand opening celebration on Tuesday, October 22 ... The unveiling of the Gainesville location marks a significant milestone for Family Hospice, which is expanding its network of compassionate care services to better serve the community in northeast Georgia. Focusing on providing quality end-of-life care and support for patients and their families, Family Hospice is dedicated to enhancing the comfort and dignity of those facing terminal illnesses. “We are committed to providing compassionate end-of-life care for those facing a life-limiting illness,” said Robin Stanton, Chief Operating Officer of Family Hospice. “This new location allows us to expand our Family and reach patients and their families in the comfort of wherever they call home in Gainesville and surrounding counties.”
Minnesota-based Saint Therese to acquire St. Mary of the Woods Senior Community in Avon, Ohio
10/16/24 at 03:00 AMMinnesota-based Saint Therese to acquire St. Mary of the Woods Senior Community in Avon, Ohio AP; by Barb Hemberger; 10/15/24 Continuing to build its footprint in the Midwest, Saint Therese, an aging care and services leader based in the Twin Cities, today announced it will acquire St. Mary of the Woods in Avon, Ohio, near Cleveland. The transition of ownership is expected to occur on December 1, 2024. This is the second acquisition for Saint Therese in two years and the second in the region, following the purchase last year of IHM Senior Living Community in Monroe, Michigan. ... Saint Therese at St. Odilia in Shoreview specializes in hospice and palliative care. Saint Therese is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) senior care organization.
Care utilization for neurodegenerative diseases compared to patients with cancer
10/16/24 at 03:00 AMCare utilization for neurodegenerative diseases compared to patients with cancer Physician's Weekly; 10/14/24 Neurodegenerative diseases are a leading cause of death, yet healthcare utilization and costs during the end-of-life (EoL) period are poorly understood. Researchers conducted a retrospective study to describe and compare resource utilization among U.S. Medicare decedents with neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. ... The results showed 1,126,799 Medicare beneficiaries, of which 357,926 had a qualifying diagnosis. Individuals with neurodegenerative diseases were older and more frequently received Medicaid assistance than those with brain or pancreatic cancer. ... The study concluded that individuals with neurodegenerative diseases were more likely to visit ED and less likely to utilize inpatient and hospice services at the EoL compared to those with brain or pancreatic cancer.
New CMS Medicaid, CHIP Guidance could help clarify pediatric palliative care payment
10/16/24 at 03:00 AMNew CMS Medicaid, CHIP Guidance could help clarify pediatric palliative care payment Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 10/15/24 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released new guidelines intended to better support state-based pediatric reimbursement systems and help improve equitable health access among youth populations. The new guidance includes best practices for state Medicaid programs and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to implement and comply with early and periodic screening, diagnostic and treatment (EPSDT) coverage requirements. One of the most significant challenges confronting children living with serious illness and their families is the heterogeneity of policies and programs across the country, said Allison Silvers, chief health care transformation officer at the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC). ...
MD Home Health expands services with in-clinic, virtual care, remote patient monitoring, house calls and hospice
10/16/24 at 03:00 AMMD Home Health expands services with in-clinic, virtual care, remote patient monitoring, house calls and hospice Longview News-Journal, Phoenix, AZ; by MD Home Health; 10/15/24 Leading Home Health Agency in Arizona launches comprehensive onmnichannel healthcare approach. MD Home Health, a privately-held leading Arizona-based home health agency, today announced the expansion of its healthcare services to include in-clinic care, virtual care, remote patient monitoring, house calls, and hospice, making it one of the first privately-held home health agencies in Arizona to offer a full and comprehensive omnichannel healthcare approach. This expansion allows the firm to broaden its healthcare offering to significantly increase access to comprehensive, quality and convenient healthcare for residents across the Phoenix metro area. "Our new and comprehensive services are designed to ensure that patients have convenient and flexible options to access quality healthcare how, when and where they need it," said David P. Tusa, President and Chief Executive Officer of MD Home Health.
From bedside to mountaintop, she advocates for meaningful palliative care
10/16/24 at 03:00 AMFrom bedside to mountaintop, she advocates for meaningful palliative care UCLA Health; by Jennifer Karmarker; 10/14/24 In a society that places a premium on prolonging life, celebrating the end of life is sometimes overlooked. Lindsay Brant, BSN, RN, CCRN, EOLD, MFA, is on a mission to change that. Brant started her work as a critical care nurse in the cardiothoracic ICU at UCLA Health in 2013. Since then, her journey has taken her from the bedside of the critically ill to a mountain retreat in New Mexico to remote high-altitude villages in the Himalayas and back again. Along the way, she’s discovered something she is passionate about sharing: Death can be a beautiful experience, if we let it. “It’s that constant question of how can end of life be as peaceful and meaningful as possible for the patient and their loved ones,” Brant says.
The Alliance is leading efforts to urge Congress to extend telehealth flexibilities it says have improved access to home health and hospice care by allowing virtual face-to-face recertification visits
10/16/24 at 03:00 AMThe Alliance is leading efforts to urge Congress to extend telehealth flexibilities it says have improved access to home health and hospice care by allowing virtual face-to-face recertification visits Respiratory Therapy - Home Care; by The National Alliance for Care at Home (The Alliance); 10/15/24 RT’s Three Key Takeaways:
Rosalynn Carter Institute redefines caregiving field with the launch of research informed profiles of experiences of caregiving©
10/16/24 at 03:00 AMRosalynn Carter Institute redefines caregiving field with the launch of research informed profiles of experiences of caregiving© BusinessWire - Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, Americus, GA; by Ava Jafarmadar; 10/15/24 The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers (RCI) today announced the launch of the Profiles of Experiences of Caregiving© (Caregiver Profiles©), an innovative framework that leads within the caregiver field by reimagining and elevating family caregivers, so they are better seen, understood, and supported. Developed in partnership with Duke University through an extensive review of over 10,000 research papers and comprehensive caregiver focus groups, these profiles shift the focus from the care recipient’s diagnosis to the caregiver’s unique experience. This new approach aims to provide more tailored, holistic support to the over 105 million people in the United States who are actively engaged in family caregiving.
Optum’s home-based care arm propelling growth at UnitedHealth Group
10/16/24 at 03:00 AMOptum’s home-based care arm propelling growth at UnitedHealth Group Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 10/15/24 UnitedHealth Group’s subsidiary OptumHealth is a growth engine for the massive health care and insurance company. In addition to other services OptumHealth holds a substantial home health and hospice business. Optum is in the process of acquiring the home health and hospice provider Amedisys (NASDAQ: AMED), with closing expected before the end of the year, pending some regulatory hurdles. Optum last June penned its agreement to acquire Amedisys in an all-cash transaction of $101 per share, or about $3.3 billion. The Amedisys deal is among a slew of large acquisitions by Optum, which include the home health and hospice provider LHC Group and the health care tech company Change Healthcare. Optum closed its $5.4 billion acquisition of LHC Group in February 2023.
Today's Encouragement: What we know matters, but ...
10/16/24 at 03:00 AMWhat we know matters, but who we are matters more. ~ Brené Brown
Death cafes: Demystifying the inevitable over tea and cookies
10/16/24 at 03:00 AMDeath cafes: Demystifying the inevitable over tea and cookies MD edge - Internal Medicine News; by Megan Brooks; 10/15/24 “Death cafes” — where people gather to discuss death and dying over tea and cookies — have gained momentum in recent years offering a unique way for people to come together and discuss a topic that is often shrouded in discomfort and avoidance. It’s estimated that there are now about 18,900 death cafes in 90 countries, with the United States hosting more than 9300 on a regular basis. This trend reflects a growing desire to break the taboo surrounding discussions of death and dying. But these casual get-togethers may not be for everyone, and their potential benefits and harms may depend on who attends and who facilitates the discussion. ... [Click on the title's link to continue reading these significant cautions.]
The daily balancing act of value-based cancer care
10/16/24 at 03:00 AMThe daily balancing act of value-based cancer care The American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC); by Laura Joszt, MA; 10/14/24 In value-based care, there’s a daily balancing act to achieve quality outcomes, cost reduction, and patient care improvements, explained Stuart Staggs, vice president of transformation, quality, and shared services for The US Oncology Network (Network). At the Institute for Value-Based Medicine event, cohosted by The American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC) and Minnesota Oncology, Staggs kicked it off with what he called a “practical look at value-based care.” He highlighted 4 main areas: quality, improvement, adoption, and cost. ... The area of improvement that the Network wanted to focus on was advanced care planning and better supporting and engaging patients and their families around hospice and life support. During the OCM, the Network better engaged patients and families around hospice care and encouraged practices to have difficult conversations. Not only does this improve patient experience by providing them the end-of-life care that they want, but there is also a cost factor. Patients who don’t receive hospice care spend significantly more in the last 30 to 60 days, Staggs said.
AI and change management: Navigating the human side of AI
10/16/24 at 03:00 AMAI and change management: Navigating the human side of AI Method; by Jaon Rome; 10/14/24 ... An effective AI change management strategy must consider multiple employee groups — including front-, middle-, and back-office workers — whom AI implementation most affects. How you talk about AI and introduce AI tools to your employees influences how your people perceive AI, which affects their acceptance and adoption of it. ... Your AI investments’ success depends on your people. They must buy into AI’s value, see themselves as innovating with AI rather than training their replacements, and use the AI tools you’ve built in their day-to-day work.
Managing the hospice payment cap by balancing Length of Stay
10/16/24 at 03:00 AMManaging the hospice payment cap by balancing Length of Stay Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 10/15/24 Careful management of the hospice aggregate cap is key to providers’ sustainability as regulatory scrutiny continues to heat up. The cap is designed to prevent overuse of hospice, put controls on Medicare spending and foster greater access to care among patients. For Fiscal Year 2024, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services set the cap at $33,394. In 2025, this will rise to $34,465. “While the cap is a beneficiary driven cap, meaning the reimbursement allowed per Medicare beneficiary, it is not assessed at the beneficiary level, but rather in the aggregate at the agency provider number level for all beneficiaries served by the agency in the cap,” Rochelle Salinas, vice president of operations for CommonSpirit Health at Home, said. “This allows for greater flexibility in providing care to those in need.” ... [Click on the title's link to continue reading.]
Hospice fraud casts lengthening shadow over future of industry
10/16/24 at 02:00 AMHospice fraud casts lengthening shadow over future of industryHospice News; by Holly Vossel; 10/11/24Fraudulent operators in the hospice space have misspent millions of Medicare dollars in recent years. This problem has become so severe that it is one of the defining issues facing the hospice industry, with providers and other industry stakeholders expressing concern about significant impacts to future payment, access, sustainability and utilization. This is the first of a two-part Hospice News series that examines the financial and operational pressures weighing on the minds of hospice providers amid instances of fraud, waste and abuse occurring in the industry.Notable mentions: Patrick Harrison, Senator Elizabeth Warren, MedPAC, Lauren Hunt.
Millions of aging Americans are facing dementia by themselves
10/16/24 at 02:00 AMMillions of aging Americans are facing dementia by themselves California Healthline; by Judith Graham; 10/15/24 Sociologist Elena Portacolone was taken aback. Many of the older adults in San Francisco she visited at home for a research project were confused when she came to the door. They’d forgotten the appointment or couldn’t remember speaking to her. It seemed clear they had some type of cognitive impairment. Yet they were living alone. Portacolone, an associate professor at the University of California-San Francisco, wondered how common this was. Had anyone examined this group? How were they managing? ... Portacolone got to work and now leads the Living Alone With Cognitive Impairment Project at UCSF. The project estimates that that at least 4.3 million people 55 or older who have cognitive impairment or dementia live alone in the United States. ... Imagine what this means. ...
Fun Run participants honor loved ones while raising funds for hospice care
10/15/24 at 03:15 AMFun Run participants honor loved ones while raising funds for hospice care The Baynet, Waldorf, MD; by Hospice of the Chesapeaker; 10/14/24 Wearing commemorative T-shirts, flouncy tutus and colorful socks, the runners and walkers in Hospice of the Chesapeake’s Blue Crab Fun Run came to have fun while supporting an essential Charles County not-for-profit organization. They were cheered on by Reuben B. Collins, II, Esq., President of the Charles County Board of Commissioners, who served as Grand Marshal for the inaugural event. Collins said he was grateful for the support and guidance he received while his father was cared for by Hospice of the Chesapeake in 2022. “I am thinking of my father today and I know he is smiling down on us this morning,” Collins said. He encouraged participants to dedicate each of their steps to the memory of a loved one. ... The event raised nearly $30,000, with all proceeds benefitting patients and families in Charles County, ensuring they have access to expert and compassionate supportive, hospice and grief care.
Hospices seek creative hiring, retention solutions as labor costs rise
10/15/24 at 03:00 AMHospices seek creative hiring, retention solutions as labor costs rise Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 10/11/24 Fierce competition for clinical resources amid widespread workforce shortages has hospices taking nimble approaches to their recruitment strategies, including pivoting financial investments and building stronger educational partnerships. Competition in the health care market has been driving up salaries, particularly among nurses, according to Jennifer Lemere, vice president of clinical operations at St. Croix Hospice, a portfolio company of the private equity firm H.I.G. Capital. But rising compensation trends are also occurring across the interdisciplinary spectrum, Lemere added. ...
[Podcast] Ethics teaching and learning: How can dying be healthy?
10/15/24 at 03:00 AM[Podcast] Ethics teaching and learning: How can dying be healthy?AMA Journal of Ethics; by Helen Stanton Chapple; recorded 9/28/22Dr Helen Stanton Chapple joins Ethics Talk to talk about teaching health professions students and trainees about acknowledging and realizing dying in a healthy way.
FTC finalizes premerger rule: 9 things to know
10/15/24 at 03:00 AMFTC finalizes premerger rule: 9 things to know Becker's Hospital Review; by Alan Condon; 10/10/24 The Federal Trade Commission voted 5-0 to finalize changes to premerger notifications under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, which requires organizations to report large transactions to the FTC and Justice Department for antitrust review. "Premerger review is a critical task for the antitrust agencies and to do it well, we need information about each deal's potential antitrust risk," Shaoul Sussman, associate director for litigation of the FTC's bureau of competition, said in an Oct. 10 news release. "This rulemaking is a much needed update to address changes in the marketplace that have undermined the agencies' ability to detect and prevent illegal mergers, while at the same time creating a more efficient review process. Nine things to know: [Click on the title's link for this list.]
A new Hope(West CEO): HopeWest CEO resigns, assures smooth transition
10/15/24 at 03:00 AMA new Hope(West CEO): HopeWest CEO resigns, assures smooth transition The Daily Sentinel, Grand Junction, CO; by Jace Dicola; 10/13/24 HopeWest is on the search for a new Chief Executive Officer.According to current HopeWest CEO Cassie Mitchell, her departure is bittersweet, but the 30-year-old or ganization couldn’t be in better shape for a smooth transition. Mitchell will remain CEO until the end of this year after her successor is selected. HopeWest is a nonprofit provider of the county’s Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly and regional hospice, palliative and grief services. “It’s been a good two and a half years,” Mitchell said. “The organization is in a really strong place: quality is good, sustainability is good and we’re still 100% committed to our nonprofit, community-based mission.” The departure from HopeWest — to return to her home state of Kentucky — stems from a job opportunity in Mitchell’s old stomping grounds that will allow her to help with her faraway family’s “pressing” needs. She will serve as COO for another serious-illness health care provider currently amid a merger between two nonprofits.