Literature Review

Training opportunities for managers in home health, hospice, and community-based care settingsThe Journal of Nursing Administration; by Ann M Nguyen, Alfred F Tallia, Tami M Videon, Robert J Rosati; 6/24The aim of this study was to identify areas for developing management skills-focused continuing education for managers working in home health, hospice, and community-based settings. For all 33 management tasks, managers with 6+ years of experience reported greater confidence than managers with 0 to 5 years of experience. Tasks with the lowest confidence were budgeting, interpreting annual reports, strategic planning, measuring organizational performance, and project planning. Managers were clustered into 5 "profiles." Management training is not 1-size-fits-all. Healthcare organizations should consider investing in training specific to the identified low-confidence areas and manager roles to better support and develop a robust management workforce.

We now no longer camp as for a night, but have settled down on earth and forgotten heaven. ~Henry David Thoreau

Hospice Readmission, Hospitalization, and Hospital Death Among Patients Discharged Alive from HospiceJAMA Network; by Elizabeth A. Luth, Caitlin Brennan, Susan L. Hurley, Veerawat Phongtankuel, Holly G. Prigerson, Miriam Ryvicker, Hui Shao, Yongkang Zhang; 5/24This retrospective cohort study of burdensome transitions following live hospice discharge found that non-Hispanic Black race, short hospice stays, and care from for-profit hospices were associated with higher odds of experiencing a burdensome transition. These findings suggest that changes to clinical practice and policy may reduce the risk of burdensome transitions, such as hospice discharge planning that is incentivized, systematically applied, and tailored to needs of patients at greater risk for burdensome transitions.

Educating the future of hospice and palliative carePortage.life; by Center for Hospice Care; 5/21/24This spring students at the University of Notre Dame gained insight into the delivery of care to patients and families dealing with serious advanced illnesses. The university, in partnership with Center for Hospice Care (CHC), once again offered the course “Introduction to Hospice and Palliative Care” that was designed by Dr. Dominic Vachon, Director of Ruth M. Hillebrand Center for Compassionate Care in Medicine and Mike Wargo, COO and vice president of the Hospice Foundation. The five-week class covered a variety of topics focused on hospice and palliative care and was taught by CHC staff including physicians, social workers, chaplains, bereavement counselors and other hospice and palliative care support staff.

Tuesday Health launches revolutionary Supportive Care solution with $60 million of strategic investment from healthcare leadersInvestors Observier; by PR Newswire; 5/21/24Tuesday Health, a pioneer in value-based care dedicated to transforming serious illness, has launched its innovative supportive care solution in partnership with Valtruis, Blue Venture Fund, Mass General Brigham Ventures , and CareSource. This alliance brings a $60 million strategic investment to Tuesday Health, fueling its mission to redefine supportive care for patients and caregivers facing serious illnesses. "Leveraging clinical expertise, advanced data solutions, and cutting-edge technology, while partnering with Ohio's largest Medicaid plan, its largest hospice provider and the unmatched palliative care experience of Mass General, Tuesday Health is dedicated to tackling one of healthcare's biggest challenges-providing support and care in the right setting, at the right time, for those facing serious illness", said Jim Wieland, CEO of Tuesday Health.Editor's Note: What is the difference between supportive care and palliative care? Click here for a description from ASCO, the American Society of Clinical Oncology. 

How value-based models can aid palliative care team recruitment Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 5/22/24 A transition from fee-for-service to value-based payment models could help palliative care providers boost recruitment and retention. Providers walk a tightrope when it comes to ensuring that their palliative care services are financially sustainable, including the ability to attract and compensate staff at competitive rates. In today’s predominant reimbursement structure, palliative care programs are often loss leaders. But moving away from fee-for-service towards value-based payment could make a difference when it comes to hiring and retention, according to Dr. Jennifer Blechman, palliative care medical director at the Oregon-based nonprofit Partners in Care. ...

America’s biggest Medicaid insurer just pledged to help build nearly $1 billion of affordable housing: ‘We know 80% of what drives health is nonmedical’ Fortune Well; by Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez; 5/20/24The nation’s largest Medicaid insurer is pledging to help build nearly $1 billion worth of affordable housing in eight states as it moves to address one of the biggest determinants of health. ... “We know 80% of what drives health is nonmedical. Eighty percent,” Dr. Michelle Gourdine, senior vice president at CVS Health, said earlier in the conference. “We could have the best doctors in the universe and it would only fix 20% of the problem.”  

Understanding the role of Learning & Development in employee well-being Today Headline - Education News; 5/21/24... The Connection Between Learning and Well-Being: Learning and Development programs [L&D] are often associated with upskilling, reskilling, and career advancement. But their potential extends far beyond professional growth. Learning can have a positive impact on employee well-being, too. When employees are engaged in continuous learning and skill development, their overall sense of well-being improves significantly. ... [The] role of L&D in employee well-being. ...

Steward proposes timeline for selling assets in bankruptcy Modern Healthcare; by Caroline Hudson; 5/20/24Steward Health Care is seeing interest from potential buyers of its 31 hospitals, particularly in Massachusetts and Arizona, and it hopes to complete sales this summer. The health system, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier this month, also is in advanced discussions with UnitedHealth Group's Optum to buy physician network Stewardship Health. Optum, which had been negotiating with Steward before the bankruptcy filing, submitted a "stalking horse" bid. A stalking horse bid is the initial bid on a bankrupt company's assets that helps set the minimum price for other potential buyers. Steward also is in discussions with "various third parties" for its northern Massachusetts facilities, the health system said in a bankruptcy court filing last week.

For the long weekend: Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time. - Marthe Troly-CurtinEditor's Note: This quote has been used by John Lennon, T. S. Elliot, Soren Kierkegaard, Bertrand Russell, and others.

Senate ramps up push to reform doctors' Medicare pay Modern Healthcare; by Michael Mcauliff; 5/20/24Declining doctors' pay in Medicare is getting its most serious look in nearly a decade in the Senate, with a bipartisan push launched Friday by the Senate Finance Committee. Doctors have grown especially vocal in recent years about falling Medicare reimbursement. Groups including the American Medical Association have estimated doctors were effectively getting paid 26% less in 2023 than in 2001 because the physician fee schedule set by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is not adjusted for inflation. Physicians have also called for more flexibility within the pay system.

For Mental Health Month - May 2024: Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. – Fred Rogers