Literature Review

From fear to empowerment: How palliative care can help University of Utah Huntsman Cancer Institute; 8/21/24 In 2018, Ruth Hill got out of bed one morning and felt her spine literally break. The 53-year-old collapsed to the floor. “I knew something catastrophic had happened,” Ruth says. She soon learned six of her vertebrae had cracked and two had exploded. The doctor at the hospital in Colorado Springs, where Ruth had been visiting her son and grandchildren, gave her even more devastating news. “You’re filled with cancer. It’s incurable,” he told her. “We’re going to take you upstairs and check your brain. If it’s in your brain, you won’t have long to live.” ... [Click on the title's link to continue reading this inspirational story.]

The importance of competencies in pain management and palliative care Greenwich Sentinel, Greenwich, CT; by Russell R. Barksdale, Jr.; 8/21/24 ... Competencies, ongoing pharmacological education, regular patient pain assessments, management, and medication adjustments are all crucial processes for healthcare providers in today’s complex medical environment. Regrettably, metabolic and behavioral issues related to pain medications, especially opioids, if not properly managed, poses risk of addiction. Beginning in the late 1990s, the consumption of medical opioids used to treat pain increased in many countries worldwide. Since that time, alarmingly the United States has outpaced every other country in per capita opioid consumption. ... [Click on the title's link to continue reading.]

“What I wish I knew about dementia”: A caregiving only child’s experience The Healthy; by Dr. Patricia Varacallo, DO; 8/20/24 It's no secret dementia affects the brain of the patient, and tests the hearts of their loved ones. Through one woman's personal journey, experts advise on the emotional, medical, and financial aspects of caregiving for dementia. ... Drawing from Ann’s caregiving journey and insights from Dr. Wint and Lucille Carriere, PhD, Cleveland Clinic Angie Ruvo Endowed Caregiving Chair, we share their collective wisdom on what they wish more people knew about dementia.

How to recognise the dying phase in palliative and end-of-life care Nursing Times; by Julie Kinley and Cathriona Sullivan; 8/19/24This article gives practical guidance for nurses on providing care in the last days of life. ... Birth and death are two certainties in life. Consequently, during their career, many nurses will support, and indeed lead, the management of the care of dying people. ... [Knowing] how to recognise – and manage – this phase of life remains a career-long key responsibility and role. ... In any setting, nurses are part of a wider team. The recognition of dying and the dying phase can be enhanced if everyone:

Hospice Insights Podcast - Stories of successful hospice leadership: The CEO and Chief Medical Officer relationship JD Supra; by Husch Blackwell; 8/21/24 A strong and engaged Chief Medical Officer (CMO) may be a hospice CEO’s most important asset. But what does a successful CEO/CMO relationship look like and how must it evolve to meet today’s challenges? In this episode we get to find out, as Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske is joined by HopeHealth CEO Diana Franchitto and Dr. Edward Martin, CMO, whose trusted relationship has been instrumental to the organization’s success and clinical expansion.

Today, do something that your future self will thank you for. ~ Anonymous

Granite VNA launches virtual nurse program Eagle Times, Concord, NH; by Eagle Times Staff; 8/22/24 Granite VNA recently introduced a virtual nurse program, connecting patients with skilled home and hospice care nurses through telephone and video calls. The virtual nurses complement the agency’s field nursing team by conducting regular check-ins with their patients, reinforcing education, addressing patients’ physical and mental health needs, supporting case management and more. Granite VNA currently has three virtual visiting nurses, two who specialize in home care and one who specializes in hospice care. Similar to the agency’s field nurses, the virtual visiting nurses see multiple patients each day. “Virtual visiting nurses play a crucial role in enhancing community health and providing support to Granite VNA’s home and hospice care field nurses,” said Granite VNA Vice President of Education and Quality Tammi Mozier, MBA, PT, ATC, COS-C. 

Being loved by someone gives you strength while loving someone deeply gives you courage. ~ Lao Tzu

‘Lean into your superpowers’: Bayada COO champions women in home health leadership Home Health Care News; by Audrie Martin; 8/20/24 Heather Helle, president and chief operating officer of Bayada Home Health Care, believes that home-based care could benefit from having more women in leadership roles. Founded in 1975 and headquartered in Moorestown, New Jersey, Bayada provides in-home clinical care and support services for children and adults, including hospice, behavioral health, and rehabilitation in 21 states and five countries. ... In 2022, women accounted for approximately 80% of workers in health care occupations, a figure higher than the percentage of women in all other employment sectors, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. ... However, women are underrepresented in leadership roles, comprising only 25% of health care leadership positions in 2022. ... Gender equity is crucial for developing resilient health systems and gender-transformative health and social care policies, according to The World Health Organization. 

Palliative care graduates undertake noble mission to impact lives of patients University of Maryland School of Pharmacy; by Andrew Tie; 8/20/24 The University of Maryland, Baltimore celebrated 43 graduates of the online Graduate Studies in Palliative Care in a summer ceremony at Pharmacy Hall on Aug. 9. Of the Class of 2024, 36 received their Master of Science degree and seven received a graduate certificate. Two members of the class completed a dual degree along with their Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree, which they received in May from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. ... The program attracts a diverse range of disciplines in health care, such as physicians, nurses, and chaplains.

Mortuaries get a modern-day makeover The Hustle; by Sara Friedman; 8/20/24 When window shopping in a city, it’s often an aesthetic storefront that captures your attention and pulls you inside. But what if the handcrafted vase that caught your eye was actually an urn for human remains? That’s the business model for the crop of trendy, modernized mortuaries popping up around the world, per The New York Times. ... Pretty enough to be spas or nightclubs, these new mortuaries bring some levity to customers looking for something different. In a Co-Op Funeralcare study of 4k people in the UK, 68% said they see funerals as celebrations of life, not sad occasions. [Examples given] ... These new mortuary models are tapping into a lucrative industry: The average funeral costs ~$6.6k in London, while the median cost of a US funeral is $8.3k.

Interim HealthCare Welcomes Rexanne Domico as President and Chief Operating Officer Business Wire, Sunrise, FL; by Interim HealthCare; 8/20/24 Interim HealthCare Inc., [a national] network of home care, senior care, home health, hospice and medical staffing services, announced today the appointment of Rexanne Domico as President and Chief Operating Officer. "We’re excited to welcome Rexanne to Interim HealthCare to help champion our mission and shape our operational strategies," said Paul Mastrapa, CEO of Interim HealthCare. "Her hands-on leadership style, deep industry knowledge, and proven track record of fostering growth and excellence make her exceptionally well-suited to lead our regional teams and guide our franchisees nationwide to provide the high-end care we are known for."

Credit Unions of Maui raise $38,000 at annual golf tournament to benefit hospice Maui The Maui News; 8/21/24  The Credit Unions of Maui hosted their 9th Annual Charity Golf Tournamenton Aug. 10, 2024, at The Dunes at Maui Lani. This year’s annual event brought together 144 golfers and community supporters, resulting in a remarkable $38,000 raised to benefit Hospice Maui, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to providing compassionate end-of-life care for Maui residents. The tournament exceeded expectations, with participants enjoying a day of friendly competition, prizes, and philanthropy. The funds raised will directly support Hospice Maui’s mission to offer comprehensive hospice and palliative care, including medical services, emotional support, and grief counseling, to individuals and families in need.