Literature Review
Carlos T. Graveran to Lead Bridginglife as Assistant Vice President of Hospice and Palliative Care Services
02/07/25 at 03:00 AMCarlos T. Graveran to Lead Bridginglife as Assistant Vice President of Hospice and Palliative Care ServicesNewswise press release; by LifeBridge Health; 2/3/25[Maryland] BridgingLife, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing high-quality palliative and hospice services, today announced that Carlos T. Graveran will join the organization as assistant vice president of Hospice and Palliative Care Services, effective February 10. Previously known as Carroll Hospice, BridgingLife is a nationally recognized hospice program that has been providing end-of-life and palliative care services for nearly 40 years.
CareFirstNY announces the loss of beloved CEO, Tali Sutton
02/07/25 at 03:00 AMCareFirstNY announces the loss of beloved CEO, Tali Sutton CareFirstNY, Painted Post, NY; 2/5/26 It is with tremendous sadness that we announce that Tali Sutton, CEO of CareFirstNY, experienced a sudden and unexpected medical emergency on Monday, February 3. True to her giving spirit, she is an organ donor and will pass along her final gift of life to others in need. Tali’s belief in CareFirstNY, her authenticity, and her friendship created a bright light that united many people across our region. As a leader, Tali instilled a passionate culture of understanding, positivity, and trust that will be deeply missed. ... CareFirstNY’s patient care services will remain uninterrupted at this time; we will share additional information as available and appropriate. For those who would like to make a contribution to Tali’s memory, please visit our Donation Page for more information.
Over 80% of healthcare cost in the final year of life spent on hospitals
02/07/25 at 03:00 AMOver 80% of healthcare cost in the final year of life spent on hospitalsNuffield Trust press release; 2/5/25[UK] New research from the Nuffield Trust and the Health Economics Unit, commissioned by leading end of life charity Marie Curie, finds that UK public expenditure for people in the last year of life across healthcare, social care and social security is in the region of £22 billion. Over half (53%) of this public spending in the final year of life is spent on healthcare. Hospital care represents the largest share of healthcare spending, accounting for 81% of total healthcare spend. More than half of this healthcare spend (56%) goes on emergency hospital care... In contrast, public spending on primary and community healthcare makes up only 11% of health expenditure for people in the last year of life, with less than 4% spent on hospice care.
Regional Hospice celebrates 10 years of compassionate care at inpatient Center For Comfort Care & Healing
02/07/25 at 03:00 AMRegional Hospice celebrates 10 years of compassionate care at inpatient Center For Comfort Care & HealingThe Newtown Bee; 2/2/25[Connecticut] Regional Hospice marked a momentous milestone in January with the tenth anniversary of its Center for Comfort Care & Healing, a one-of-a-kind facility that has redefined end-of-life care in Connecticut... ToniAnn Marchione, LRT (M), BS, president and CEO of Regional Hospice, notes Regional Hospice has been providing care in the community for more than 40 years. “When we opened our doors to the Center a decade ago, our former president & CEO, Cynthia Emiry Roy, MS, LCSW, CHA, who was the visionary, along with our board members and others, created more than just a hospice facility — the idea was to build a true home where patients and their loved ones could find comfort, dignity, and peace,” Marchione said.
Fallon Health announces a new location in Framingham to serve older adults in the MetroWest
02/07/25 at 03:00 AMFallon Health announces a new location in Framingham to serve older adults in the MetroWest Fallon Health, Worcester, MA; Press Release; 2/3/25 Fallon Health, a national leader in offering PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), is pleased to announce the opening of a new alternative care setting in Framingham. This location aims to bring care closer to home for older adults in the MetroWest region. ... The new space includes 3 exam rooms, lab services, a therapy room for physical, occupational, and other therapeutic services, a conference room for care planning and family meetings, a shower, laundry facilities, and dedicated office space. To ensure a comprehensive support system, Adult Day Health (ADH) services are provided through partnerships with like-minded local programs, including Dia Feliz Adult Day Health Center.
Hospice Alliance hosts CNA walk-in interviews
02/07/25 at 03:00 AMHospice Alliance hosts CNA walk-in interviews Kenosha.com, Kenosha, WI; Press Release; 2/5/25 What: Hospice Alliance is looking for dedicated Certified Nursing Aides to join our award-winning team. We will be hosting walk-in interviews on Thursdays throughout the month of February from 1 – 3 pm for full-time 1st shift aides. Wages start at $18.50 an hour, and positions are benefit eligible (i.e. PTO, 403b match, health, vision and dental insurance). Please bring your resume, CNA certification, driver’s license, and auto insurance with you (all of which are required for the position). Who: Open to anyone who is a Wisconsin Certified Nursing Aide Where: ... When: Thursdays, February 6, 13, 20 and 27 from 1 – 3 pm Applications can be completed ahead of time at ...Editor's note: We're posting this as an innovative, user-friendly recruitment initiative.
After 'code issue,' veterans no longer receive free care at UP hospice site
02/07/25 at 03:00 AMAfter 'code issue,' veterans no longer receive free care at UP hospice site MyUpNow.com, Houghton, MI; by Thomas Fournier; 2/5/25 For a veteran staying at hospice care facility, it's important family can visit, especially in rural areas. But what happens when their facility no longer qualifies as a hospice facility for the Veteran's Health Administration (VHA)? Omega House Executive Director Mike Lutz said he received a call from the local Veteran's Affairs (VA) office in Iron Mountain late December 2024 informing him that they would "no longer be servicing veterans at Omega House." ... Veterans who would usually receive a reimbursement through the VA for their hospice care would no longer be able to find that at Omega House, leaving them to get their care 100 miles away or more.
Central Coast VNA & Hospice expands hospice and support programs in the Central Coast region
02/07/25 at 02:20 AMCentral Coast VNA & Hospice expands hospice and support programs in the Central Coast region Chicago News; Press Release, media contact Jane Russo; 2/5/25 Central Coast VNA & Hospice, a trusted leader in home health and hospice care for over 70 years, is proud to announce the expansion of its comprehensive hospice and support programs throughout the Central Coast. ... With an increased focus on hospice care, education, and support, Central Coast VNA & Hospice is reaching more communities, including Monterey, Salinas, Hollister, and Santa Cruz. The organization’s enhanced programs include:
Immigration policies’ ‘chilling effect’ on the hospice workforce
02/07/25 at 02:00 AMImmigration policies’ ‘chilling effect’ on the hospice workforce Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 2/5/24 The White House recently issued several executive orders that have ramped up the nation’s immigration enforcement policies. The health care sector may be facing a host of staffing and operational challenges as the regulatory moves unfold, according to Hannah Liu, manager of immigration advocacy at Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC). A tightening of immigration policies has come with “concern, panic and confusion” across diverse communities nationwide, Liu stated. “As the effects of these hostile immigration policies play out, patients may also face the life-or-death situations that arise from interruptions in care caused by staffing shortages,” Liu told Hospice News in an email. “Immigrants in the health care industry may fear the possibility of arrest and detention, including in workplaces like hospitals, palliative care facilities and clinics.”
How can we cultivate happiness in medicine?
02/06/25 at 03:10 AMHow can we cultivate happiness in medicine? The Hospitalist; by Nikhil Sood, MD and Marjorie Bessel, MD; 2/3/25 Burnout has led to early physician retirements and clinicians leaving the profession, resulting in an unprecedented physician shortage and access challenges. This jeopardizes our ability to meet the community’s needs and fulfill our mission of making healthcare more accessible to improve quality of life. The question is, how can we, as a healthcare system, tackle this issue head-on? ... The CHIM strategy is a comprehensive, evidence-based approach, driven by clinicians, that supports wellness from an individual and organizational perspective. ... The six dimensions of the strategy include the following:
4 critical mistakes to avoid during your workday project
02/06/25 at 03:00 AM4 critical mistakes to avoid during your workday project Becker's Hospital Review; In collaboration with Healthcare IT Leaders; 2/3/25 The success of a Workday implementation doesn’t just hinge on technology but on people. According to recent research, up to 80% of digital transformation initiatives fail. ... For organizations looking to avoid these pitfalls, here are four critical staffing mistakes to avoid as outlined in our Workday Resource Planning & Staffing Guide:
No one should die alone. A Cape Fear Valley initiative aims to make that true for patients
02/06/25 at 03:00 AMNo one should die alone. A Cape Fear Valley initiative aims to make that true for patients The Fayetteville Observer, Fayetteville, NC; by Lizmary Evans; 2/5/25 No one should take their last breath alone, and the mission of a new volunteer group at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center will make sure that doesn't happen. The No One Dies Alone program, an internationally recognized initiative that began in 2001 at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Eugene, Oregon, provides trained companions to sit with dying patients who do not have loved ones available during their final moments, according to a news release. ... "Sitting at the bedside of another human being, keeping awake and alert — it’s a vigil," [Mary Draughn, the hospice patient care manager at Valley Hospice House in Fayetteville] said last week. "This vigil provides comfort, meaning, resolution and peace to both the dying person and the companion."
US flu cases are peaking for a second time this season. Now you can test for the virus at home
02/06/25 at 03:00 AMUS flu cases are peaking for a second time this season. Now you can test for the virus at home CNN; by Neha Mukherjee; 2/5/25 The United States is seeing a second peak in flu cases this season. After doctor’s office visits for flu dipped early this year, they jumped past the previous season peak at the end of last month, with a 30% test positivity rate — and there are still months to go. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there have been at least 20 million cases and 11,000 deaths from flu so far this season. Hospitalizations are rising too, with an estimated 38,255 hospitalizations from flu last week alone. It’s not the only illness spreading, either ... But there are some new tools to help this respiratory virus season: over-the-counter tests that can identify whether an illness is Covid-19 or influenza. The tests are available for purchase at most pharmacies or online ... The tests won’t check for every respiratory virus, but they mark the first time the public can test for flu at home.
Hiding in plain sight: The most harmful and costly hospital-acquired infection
02/06/25 at 03:00 AMHiding in plain sight: The most harmful and costly hospital-acquired infection Infection Control Today; by Dian Baker, PhD, APRN; 2/5/25 Nonventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia (NV-HAP) is among the most deadly, harmful, and costly hospital-acquired infections (HAI). In a 2023 study of 284 US hospitals, NV-HAP was attributed to 1 in 14 hospital deaths with an inpatient mortality of 22.4%. NV-HAP is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, the incidence of sepsis, longer hospital stays, increased discharges to skilled nursing facilities and hospice, costs, and higher intensive care unity (ICU) utilization.
Today's Encouragement: It is easier to build strong children than ...
02/06/25 at 03:00 AMIt is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. ~ Frederick Douglas
End-of-life-care option bill in New Hampshire stirs conversation on death
02/06/25 at 03:00 AMEnd-of-life-care option bill in New Hampshire stirs conversation on deathMonadnock Ledger-Transcript, Peterborough, NH; by Sruthi Gopalakrishnan; 2/4/25 At age 75, Rep Bob Lynn says he loves life. But he knows he’s no “spring chicken” and his days are finite. The former chief justice of the state Supreme Court is the prime sponsor of House Bill 254, known as “The New Hampshire End of Life Freedom Act,” which gives terminally ill adults the choice to take control of their final days and end their own life with a dose of lethal medication. ... If the legislation passes, terminally ill individuals aged 18 and over with a prognosis of less than six months to live will be able to receive medications to end their lives on their own terms. It comes with a long list of requirements that two health care providers must verify, including that they have healthy mental capacity, are aware of alternative options and are competent to self-administer the drugs. Opponents warned it could encourage suicide, be misused and send a harmful message that people with disabilities are a burden. ... Michelle Flynn, a retired internal medicine physician from Bedford, said allowing terminally ill patients to end their lives opens the door to death as a treatment option. ... Lisa Beaudoin of Temple, founder of Strategies for Disability Equity, worries it would worsen the discrimination disabled people already face in health care.
'It's not about technology or dashboards': What health systems need from IT execs next
02/06/25 at 03:00 AM'It's not about technology or dashboards': What health systems need from IT execs next Becker's Health IT; by Laura Dyrda; 2/4/25 Health system IT leaders are entering a new era of leadership amid transformational technology platform purchases, artificial intelligence integration and cybersecurity advancements. But being the most technically proficient no longer guarantees leaders the top role. ... Healthcare IT leaders can become distracted by the bells and whistles of new technology and move forward without considering the patient experience. ... Staying close to the health system's mission is critical for IT leaders, and [Christopher Hutchins, senior vice president and chief data and analytics officer at Lifepoint Health] ties the technology back to patient care. He prioritizes his teammates and colleagues, listening carefully to what they need. Notable mentions: James Forrester, Chief Technology Officer at University of Rochester (NY) Medical Center; Donna Roach, CIO of University of Utah Health; and Christopher Hutchins, senior vice president and chief data and analytics officer at Lifepoint Health
How to prepare children for hardships and tragedies
02/06/25 at 03:00 AMGarlock: How to prepare children for hardships and tragedies The Citizen; by Dr. Victor Garlock; 2/4/25 All of us must face hardships and tragedies. How well we are able to get through difficult times is a major factor affecting the overall quality of our lives. Sometimes these challenges arrive individually, as in a sudden serious illness, an accident, or the death of a loved one. Sometimes — as in last fall’s devastating floods in North Carolina or the recent wildfires in Southern California — entire communities must find a way to move forward. ... Resilience is the capacity to recover from challenges and adversity. Tragic optimism is the determination to remain optimistic and find meaning and purpose in the face of tragedy. [With children:]
Grief and bereavement books for kids and teens
02/06/25 at 03:00 AMGrief and bereavement books for kids and teens Evermore; list developed in collaboration with Dr. Donna Gaffney; 2/1/25... How can a young person grasp the enormity, meaning, and consequences of an occurrence that brought death, injury, or harm into their life? ... Because books can be such a powerful balm during a time of grief, here’s our list of favorite books for kids and teens that explore the difficult experiences of death, grief, loss, and bereavement. [Click here for the full article with book descriptions, photos, and links.]
Top news stories of the month January 2025
02/06/25 at 03:00 AMTop news stories of the month January 2025 Teleios Collaborative Network; Chris Comeaux with Cordt Kassner; 2/5/25 In this episode of TCN Talks, Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner, PhD, publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today and CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics, begin a new format for the “Top News Stories of the Month.” ... Chris and Cordt explore key trends in Hospice news, challenges in reimbursement, competition, workforce issues, and the impact of technology on the field. They also touch on demographic trends, regulatory issues, and predictions for the future of Hospice Care. Their dialogue highlights the challenge of filtering vast information and the excellent service provided to Hospice and Palliative Care leaders. This podcast and Hospice & Palliative Care Today are for the leaders in the Hospice and Palliative Care field.
Francis formally appointed Community Hospice CEO
02/06/25 at 03:00 AMFrancis formally appointed Community Hospice CEO Oakdale Leader, Oakdale, CA; Press Release; 2/5/25 Community Hospice and Health Services (CHHS) Board of Directors recently announced the appointment of Mathew Francis as President/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective Feb. 1, 2025. Francis assumed the Interim CEO role in October 2024. As President/CEO, Francis is responsible for the overall and day to day operations of all aspects of Community Hospice and Health Services, and its affiliate organizations, Community Hospice and Health Services Foundation, and CHI Management, Inc. ... Community Hospice and Health Services (CHHS) is a nonprofit, community-based agency, serving the greater Central Valley since 1979.
Heart to Heart Hospice expands service in Texas with site in West Columbia
02/06/25 at 02:30 AMHeart to Heart Hospice expands service in Texas with site in West Columbia Cision, Plano, TX; by PR Newswire; 2/4/25 Heart to Heart Hospice, one of the country's largest private providers of hospice care, is expanding its service in Texas with a new site in West Columbia. The new location, known as Heart to Heart Hospice of the Riverbend, is now open to serve more patients and families in the southeast Texas area. The West Columbia branch will serve the counties of Brazoria, Fort Bend, Matagorda, and Wharton.
What leaders can learn from the California wildfires
02/06/25 at 02:00 AMWhat leaders can learn from the California wildfires Modern Healthcare; by Robert Stone, CEO of City of Hope, Duarte, CA; 1/31/25 When wildfires threatened City of Hope comprehensive cancer center near Los Angeles in recent weeks, hundreds of our leaders and staff – many with homes in the path of the blaze – rushed to campus at 2:30 in the morning to prepare to evacuate more than 200 hospitalized cancer patients. City of Hope, one of the largest research and treatment organizations in the U.S., cares for people with highly complex medical conditions. On the night the wildfires threatened our campus, our patients included people receiving CAR-T immunotherapy, novel clinical trials, and undergoing bone marrow transplants. ... Our healthcare partners in the region were also impacted by wildfires in varying ways. Every health system we spoke with prioritized the safety of not only their own patients and staff but ours as well. ... What stands out from this middle-of-the-night experience and the days that followed are important lessons that can only emerge from an organization where people are deeply connected to the mission.
Too much, too fast: Constant change creating corporate burnout
02/06/25 at 01:50 AMToo much, too fast: Constant change creating corporate burnout Global Finance; by Bill HInchberger; 2/4/25 Change fatigue can strain employees and organizations, and it is getting worse. To reduce the harm, companies are turning to more thoughtful, gradual strategies. ... Hardly a fad pushed by human resources, the phenomenon known as “change fatigue” can affect the bottom line through workforce churn, reduced ability of workers to adapt to further change, and lower productivity. ... Whether adopting new technologies or reacting to external change, many if not most companies appear to be in a constant state of flux. Over 75% of corporations revamp their business model every two to five years, according to a study by WalkMe, a San Franciso-based software-as-a-service firm... Major initiatives tend to favor faster speed and larger scope. Yet there are signs that more gradual solutions might be more effective and less traumatic.
70K nursing home patients have personal data stolen in breach
02/05/25 at 03:05 AM70K nursing home patients have personal data stolen in breachMcKnight's Long-Term Care News; by Zee Johnson; 1/29/25Several skilled nursing facilities in Ohio and Pennsylvania have sent letters to thousands of patients informing them of a data breach that gained access to their names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and other sensitive information. Approximately 70,000 HCF Management patients from facilities across the chain’s network of SNF’s had their data obtained by RansomHub, a ransomware organization.Publisher's note: Pairing this story with "Ransomware attack prompts Maryland hospital to take systems offline" article. It's likely a matter of "when not if" this happens in hospice. How are you preparing for it?
