Literature Review

45 top healthcare workplaces for mental well-being: Newsweek Becker's Hospital Review, by Alexis Kayer, 4/22/24Newsweek has named 45 hospitals and health systems among its 750 greatest employers for mental well-being. The publication partnered with data researchers Plant-A to rank the top U.S. workplaces "making a positive difference in the mental wellness of their workers," according to a five-stage evaluation. ... Here are the 45 hospitals and health systems included on the list, excluding organizations that exclusively provide long-term, hospice, rehabilitative and medical care, or staffing and management services: [Click on the title's link for the list.]Editor's Note: Is your organization on the list? Or perhaps a colleague's organization? Forward this to them with your congratulations! Invite them to join our newsletter for free at www.HospicePalliativeCareToday.com/registration.

Eagle Telemedicine announces solution to counter lack of palliative careCision, PRNewswire-PRWeb; by Eagle Telemedicine; 4/25/24 Eagle Telemedicine adds new specialty to increase access to life-saving palliative care in underserved communities. ... Only 71% of U.S. hospitals provide palliative care and metropolitan hospitals are 15% more likely to offer palliative care than rural hospitals (National Institute of Health). Through Eagle's Tele-Palliative Care, hospitals everywhere can offer this next level of care, any day of the year.

Executive Personnel Changes - 4/26/24

Hospice groups, AOs speak out on proposed Accreditor Oversight Rule Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 4/22/24Some accreditation organizations (AOs) have balked at the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) proposed rule designed to strengthen oversight of those institutions. ... Three such organizations currently have deeming authority for hospices, The Joint Commission, the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) and Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP). These accreditors have joined a host of other stakeholders in making public comments on the proposed rule, with some requesting clarifications and others outright denying that CMS has the authority to establish such requirements.

New hospice home set to open in Burton, offering home-like care for end-of-life patients mlive.com; by Fuad Shalhout; 4/25/24A new hospice home is expected to open in Burton [MI] this summer. ... By creating a guest home in Burton, individuals will receive hospice care in a home-like setting to live out their final days instead of a hospital. ... “We’ve been renovating it for the last six months just making it safe for people,” said Diane Welker, one of the group’s founders and a retired palliative care nurse practitioner at Hurley Medical Center. The foundation received a $4,300 grant from Home Depot to pay for the flooring, and the Community Foundation of Greater Flint provided a $45,000 grant to help with renovations.

When the story of these times gets written, we want it to say that we did all we could, and it was more than anyone could have imagined. - Bono

Survey illustrates value of quality onboarding programs at home care firms McKnights Home Care, by Adam Healy; 4/24/24 Investing in a robust, high-quality onboarding and training program can yield big returns for home care firms, especially when workers are in short supply, according to a new survey report by healthcare technology company Viventium. The firm surveyed 175 administrators and 220 caregivers working at post-acute care firms. It found that caregivers are nearly 90% more likely to feel secure in their employment and be more engaged with their work after having a good onboarding experience. These positive results can lead to lower turnover rates and better-trained employees, according to the report.

AI could play role in preventing prescribing of unnecessary drugs in older adults McKnights Senior Living, by Kristen Fischer; 4/22/24 A new study finds that artificial intelligence could encourage doctors to stop prescribing drugs that aren’t necessary — especially in older adults, who tend to be on multiple medications. The report was published 4/18 in the Journal of Medical Systems. More than 40% of older adults are taking five or more prescription medications, a rate that raises their risk for potentially harmful drug interactions. ... AI isn’t a perfect tool compared with having an actual doctor. For instance, it tended not to pay much attention to a person’s pain level, suggesting that the patient stop taking pain medications but not others for clinical ailments such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure, the authors reported.

VNA completes land purchase near hospital VeroNews.com; by Lisa Zahner; 4/25/24The Visiting Nurse Association of the Treasure Coast finally owns the land under its Hospice House building after closing last week on the purchase for $3.8 million of a prime chunk of real estate just east of Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital. For decades, VNA had leased the 14.56-acre parcel on 37th Street from the Hospital District. The 12,000-square-foot 12-bed Hospice House, plus 4.2 acres of tropical meditation gardens, and a memorial are situated at the rear or south end of the parcel, while more than half of the land with 37th Street frontage remains vacant.

Oncology social workers' involvement in palliative care: Secondary data analysis from nationwide oncology social workers surveyPalliative & Supportive Care; by Ting Guan, Karlynn BrintzenhofeSzoc, Alyssa Middleton, Shirley Otis-Green, Tara Schapmire, Makeeta Rayton, Krista Nelson, Michael L Grignon, Brad ZebrackResults: Responses from a secondary data set of 243 oncology social workers involved in palliative care results in a 6-factor solution comprising 34 tasks. These factors were identified as: Therapeutic Interventions for Individuals, Couples, and Families; Facilitate Patient Care Decision-making; Care Coordination; Assessment and Emotional Support; Organization and Community Service; and Equity and Justice.Significance of results: The findings can be used to develop job descriptions and education for social workers employed in palliative cancer care. The clear role descriptions also make social work visible to other professionals in palliative oncology. By clarifying the roles of oncology social workers, this study contributes to the improvement of palliative care delivery and enhances interprofessional collaboration within cancer care teams.

How the FTC's ban on noncompetes will shake up healthcare workforce strategiesHealthleaders; by Jay Asser; 4/25/24CEOs will have to adjust their strategies to maintain their workforce if the final rule stands. Key Takeaways:

Remembrance Ceremony raises more than $76,000 for nonprofit hospice services Press Release; Avow Hospice, Naples, FL; 4/24/24 Avow gathered hundreds of individuals in Cambier Park for its 18th annual Butterfly Release on April 6, 2024. The remembrance ceremony was marked by an outpouring of generosity, with attendees and supporters contributing more than $76,000 to support Avow's mission. Funds raised will directly benefit Avow community bereavement programs, ensuring that it can continue to offer free grief and loss services to the community. The ceremony gave flight to more than 1,000 butterflies, symbolizing hope, transformation, and remembrance. The moving celebration of life honored 650 loved ones as their names were read aloud during the ceremony.

Change cyberattack affected 'substantial proportion' of America Modern Healthcare, by Lauren Berryman; 4/23/24UnitedHealth Group said the cyberattack against its Change Healthcare unit potentially exposed the personal information of  "a substantial proportion of people in America," and it will be months before it is able to identify and notify patients affected. The company also confirmed it paid an unspecified ransom to protect patient data, as reported by Bloomberg Monday.