Literature Review

Meet Oscar: The cat who could predict death and comfort patients in a Rhode Island hospice doggodigest - Cats, DD Animal News; by Andrew Alpin, MSc; 11/17/25 ... Oscar, a seemingly ordinary therapy cat, possessed what appeared to be an uncanny gift, the ability to predict when patients were nearing their final moments. It is still a matter of scientific research and debate as to whether animals especially cats and dogs can predict death. ...

How CFOs can harness the power of their shifting role HealthLeaders - Analysis; by Marie Defreitas; 11/17/25 As turnover rises and expectations expand, CFOs are redefining their influence; from financial stewards to enterprise strategists and even future CEOs. The role's evolution demands new skills, deeper relationships, and a broader vision of what value means. ...

A strategic path forward for hospice & palliative care: Ira Byock, Kristi Newport, Brynn BowmanGeriPal podcast; by Eric Widera, Alex Smith, Ira Byock, Kristi Newport, Brynn Bowman; 11/13/25In June of 2025, hospice and palliative care pioneer Ira Byock published a white paper outlining the urgent challenges facing the field today. In a nutshell, he expressed concerns that the quality of hospice care in the United States has become highly variable, with disturbing frequency of unethical practices and avaricious owners. He also raised concern that the rapid increase in palliative care program growth during the first two decades of this century has stalled, leaving us with understaffed programs that are often inadequately trained. Along with Ira, we’ve invited Kristi Newport, a palliative care doctor and Chief Medical Officer of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, and Brynn Bowman, Chief Executive Officer of the Center to Advance Palliative Care, to discuss these issues and outline a strategic path forward for the field. In particular we talk about Ira’s four-part solution to transform the field and restore its integrity: (1) publishing clear clinical and programmatic standards, (2) making meaningful data publicly available to ensure transparency and accountability, (3) fostering quality-based competition among providers, and (4) embracing the authentic brand of hospice and palliative care—expert care that alleviates suffering and fosters well-being.

Hospice: Track errors, payment caps to avoid facing costly penalties Home Health Line, DecisionHealth; by MaryKent Wolff; 11/13/25 Keep a close eye on possible claim and billing mistakes that could lead to issues related to your payment cap. While increased revenue may seem like a good thing for providers, overpayments could lead to heightened scrutiny and financial hardships for your agency. [May require subscription for additional information]

Applied transformation in healthcare: From digital dreams to operational reality | Viewpoint Chief Healthcare Executive - Opinion; by Clay Holderman; 11/17/25 Healthcare’s digital transformation journey has entered a new, more demanding phase. No longer is it enough to simply adopt technology. Health systems are now expected to show tangible results: stronger margins, better patient access, and improved outcomes are under greater pressure than ever before. ... Here are three key insights from our analysis, and what healthcare leaders can do to make progress real.

Hospice workers call for Gov. Hochul to sign bill restricting for-profit hospices WSKG/PBS/NPR Buffalo Toronto Public Media; by Emyle Watkins; 11/14/25 A medical campus that once made history is renewing calls for better patient care. Hospice and Palliative Care Buffalo, a non-profit, opened the first combined residential and in-patient hospice campus in the United States 30 years ago. On Thursday, workers at this campus gathered to call on Governor Kathy Hochul to sign legislation preventing for-profit hospices from growing or opening until better patient safeguards are in place. Jeanne Chirico, the president of the Hospice and Palliative Care Association of New York State, says, "Why is that important? Because evidence from across the country has shown us what happens when hospice becomes a business model instead of a mission."

United Way helps Hospice in the Pines bring care to all The Lufkin Daily News, Lufkin, TX; by Ruben Ibarra, Jr.; 11/15/25 For nearly four decades, Hospice in the Pines has offered end-of-life care with compassion to hundreds of families each year. Now approaching its 40th anniversary, the nonprofit continues to provide care to patients across 12 counties, with crucial support from the United Way of Angelina County helping fill the gaps for those who cannot afford care. ... Through the United Way, Hospice in the Pines receives funding that directly supports charity care for uninsured patients. Each year, the nonprofit provides more than $250,000 worth of medical services and equipment to individuals who have no Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance coverage, making sure patients receive the same level of care as any other.

[UK] Groom diagnosed with cancer marries bride in ‘dream wedding’ organized by hospice staff in just 2 days People; by Kimberlee Speakman; 11/14/25 Karl Marsh, who was diagnosed with cancer in May 2024, wed his fiancée, Sarah Wooley, on Sunday, Nov. 9. Their "dream wedding" was put together in 48 hours by the staff at Katharine House Hospice in the U.K., where Marsh was transferred to in October. ... The couple — who first met in 2010 and rekindled their relationship during Christmas 2022 — had initially planned to tie the knot on Nov. 22, but decided to bring their wedding date up after Marsh’s “condition worsened.” 

Finding their "why": Women in healthcare share their journeys at Alys Smith Symposium The Parthenon; by Abby Ayes; 11/13/25 ...  This year, the [seventh Alys Smith Symposisum on Women Professionals] celebration centered on Melanie Hall, Hospice of Huntington CEO and Marshall University alumna, whose keynote address offered a glimpse into resilience, loss and purpose. ... Hall’s story began with a spark of curiosity. “In early high school, you’re trying to figure out what you’re going to do,” she said. “So, I signed up to be a candy striper.” ... In 2013, Hall’s husband encouraged her to apply for the CEO position at Hospice of Huntington. A few months later, tragedy struck when a house fire destroyed everything her family owned. “Thankfully, all my family made it out,” Hall said. “But life changed in just a few hours.” ... As she wrapped up her keynote, Hall left the audience with a reminder about finding purpose in the unexpected turns of life. [Continue reading.]Editor's Note: Thank you Melanie for your leadership both through Hospice of Huntington and throughout your community. This article ends with, "Students, faculty, and community members were given the chance to ask questions, connect, and learn about nontraditional pathways in healthcare, a fitting close to an evening dedicated to women whose care, courage and conviction define what it means to serve."

When health care teams run short, physician burnout rises American Medical Association (AMA); by Sara Berg, MS; 11/4/25 ... Drawing on data from the AMA Organizational Biopsy®, the study reveals that inadequate team staffing was also linked to physicians’ intentions to cut clinical hours or leave their organizations. The findings underscore how sustained workforce shortages and daily understaffing continue to affect morale and retention in medicine long after the acute phase of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Participants included 970 physicians from 15 organizations.

How robotic surgery’s past is informing its futureHealthcare Brew; by Caroline Catherman; 11/6/25From transcontinental telesurgery to AI-powered procedures, tech is reshaping how and where surgery happens. Robot-assisted surgery, which allows physicians to control a mechanical arm equipped with surgical instruments and a high-definition camera, has been a big part of this transformation. The first robot platform was used on a human patient in 1985, though the field didn’t really take off until Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci system for minimally invasive surgery launched in 2000. By 2018, 15.1% of US general surgery procedures involved robotic surgery, a 2020 JAMA Network Open study found.Publisher's note: We continue to explore how ai and robotics impact serious illness and end-of-life care.

ID# 1904730 Peripheral nerve stimulation, a minimally invasive option for end of life pain managementNeuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface; by Jeffrey Cao; 10/25Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) works by delivering targeted electrical pulses to peripheral nerves, which transmit sensory and motor signals between the central nervous system and the body. Integrating peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) into hospice care for cancer patients marks a significant advancement in pain management, focusing on personalized and comprehensive approaches to enhance the quality of life. The reported cases highlight the effectiveness of PNS in targeting specific nerves for pain relief, complementing pharmacological therapies and improving overall patient outcomes. As research continues, PNS holds promise as a key intervention in palliative care ...