Literature Review

The truth of the matter is: healthcare leaders make decisions that either build trust or destroy it, that help heal or harm the communities we've committed to serve. It is a great responsibility, but also a great opportunity to heal healthcare from the inside out. ~ Rachel Sossoman, President and CEO of Mercy Urgent CareEditor's Note: Today’s headlines—from leaders at NPHI and The Alliance—echo a shared truth: trust. Without it, care unravels; with it, compassion can take root and grow—through serious illness, at the end of life, and into bereavement.

Derby Brunch helps support hospice organization The Owenton News-Herald, Owen County, KY; by Staff Reports; 4/28/26 The Owen County Friends of Hospice’s annual Derby Brunch on April 25 helped raise money for Bluegrass Care Navigators to support hospice and grief services the region, the organization announced. The organization serves in Owen, Franklin, Woodford and Anderson counties. Since its inception 11 years ago, this fundraising event has raised more than $75,000.

OHSU grapples with falling rank on patient safety measures OPB, Oregon Health & Science University; by Amelia Templeton; 4/27/26 [The context begins with an "abrupt firing" of the CEO for OHSU Health. The excerpt below is further into the article, with relevance for hospice providers and your partnerships with hospitals.] Mortality — the number of observed patient deaths versus the number expected — was the other major contributing factor to OHSU slipping in Vizient’s ranks. Edwards shared several caveats with the board as to why she believes OHSU is performing better than its ranking indicates, particularly on the mortality score. For example, some patient deaths may have been counted differently by Vizient due to the closure of a hospice program. That could account for up to a third of the change in OHSU’s mortality grade, she said. And an internal review of the mortality data suggested that some OHSU patients’ medical charts weren’t accurately capturing how sick or complex they were.

Kansas veteran dies in hospice weeks after KWCH story on cancer fight, push for health benefits KWCH-12 News, Wichita, KS; by Matt Heilman and KWCH Staff; 4/28/26 A Kansas veteran whose story 12 News shared last month following the initial denial of her VA health benefits amid her cancer battle died Monday night in hospice care, her husband confirmed. Lorraina Robles, who served in the Air National Guard, most recently in Africa, fought stage 3 cervical cancer for over a year. Adding to the difficulty, her VA benefits for cancer treatment and other health benefits were denied following her return from deployment. 

20 high-performing healthcare web designs that get results just digital; 4/29/26 As healthcare continues its digital shift, an optimized web presence is no longer optional it’s the digital front door to your health system or practice. With search queries frequently driving direct engagement and appointments across healthcare verticals, your site’s usability and clarity are non-negotiable. [Scroll down to "Top 20 Healthcare Website Designs" for identified websites with descriptions.]

[For the public] How to protect yourself from hospice fraud CalMatters; by Lynn La; 4/29/26 ... What does hospice fraud entail and how can you protect yourself? ... To avoid being scammed:

1520ai and Hospice Analytics announce strategic combination to advance data-driven hospice care and AI innovationHospice Analytics press release; by Cordt Kassner; 4/28/261520ai and Hospice Analytics Announce Strategic Combination to Advance Data-Driven Hospice Care and AI Innovation

Your kids don’t care: 9 reasons to have someone other than your children as your medical power of attorney SavingAdvice.com; by Drew Blankenship; 4/25/26 ... When it comes to naming a medical decision-maker, most parents automatically choose their children without thinking twice. But being your child doesn’t necessarily make someone the best person to make life-and-death decisions on your behalf. A medical power of attorney gives that person enormous responsibility, often during highly emotional moments when clear thinking is critical. Here are nine reasons why choosing someone other than your children may actually be the smarter (and safer) decision.

Health systems add IT leadership roles Becker's Hospital Review; by Naomi Diaz; 4/24/26 Hospitals and health systems are adding new executive positions to address the growing demands of artificial intelligence governance, cybersecurity and data management. Many of the roles being created are inaugural appointments, reflecting a shift in how organizations are structuring technology leadership. From chief digital officers to AI strategy leads, hospitals are redefining their IT structures to enhance cybersecurity, data management and innovation. Here are new IT roles hospitals and health systems have added to their C-suites since March 17: ...

Empassion, Karoo Health partner on cardiac-to-hospice transitions Hospice News; by James Warda; 4/28/26 Empassion Health and Karoo Health have unveiled a strategic partnership designed to provide a more seamless transition for patients from cardiac management to specialized serious illness care. This transition point, often referred to as “the gap,” is the period when traditional care cannot typically sustain the patient long-term, but they are not yet considered ready by insurance standards for hospice or palliative care, according to Empassion. Patients with advanced heart disease often drop into this gap. By bringing together Karoo’s cardiovascular care and Empassion’s palliative and hospice services, both organizations are working to eliminate that gap. 

10 best, worst states for nurses in 2026 Becker's Hospital Review; by Kelly Gooch; 4/28/26 ... To determine the best and worst states for nurses, the personal finance company evaluated all 50 states across two two dimensions: opportunity and competition, and work environment. Those dimensions were evaluated using 20 metrics, ranging from monthly average starting salary for nurses to average commute time. ... Here are the 10 best and worst states for nurses in 2026, per the ranking: Best: 1. Maine; 2. New Hampshire; 3. Washington; 4. Oregon; 5; Arizona; 6. West Virginia; 7. Minnesota; 8. Montana; 9. Connecticut; 10. Florida Worst: 50. Oklahoma; 49. North Dakota; 48. Alabama; 47. Mississippi; 46. South Dakota; 45. Louisiana; 44. Tennessee; 43. Arkansas; 42. Hawaii; 41. Virginia

Superior Health Holdings acquires Compassion Homecare and Sans Bois Hospice, expanding into Oklahoma Business Wire | The Standard-Journal, Metairie, LA and Stigler, OK; Press Release; 4/28/26 Superior Health Holdings ("Superior"), a portfolio company of Renovus Capital Partners, today announced the acquisition of Chant Healthcare ("Chant"), a leading provider of home health, homecare, and hospice services headquartered in Southeastern Oklahoma operating through two core entities — Compassion Home Care, which provides home health and homecare services, and Sans Bois Hospice. The transaction marks Superior's entry into Oklahoma with services in both home health and hospice, along with personal care services across 11 counties.

VITAS banks on length of stay, referral mix management Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 4/27/26 VITAS Healthcare has been working to balance admission numbers from different settings and manage length of stay to prevent further payment cap liabilities after a rough go in the last months of 2025. Starting late last year VITAS began emphasizing hospital-based referrals in its admissions processes, which typically result in shorter length-of-stay patients. As of the fourth quarter of 2025, which marked the start of Fiscal Year 2026, the company has virtually eliminated that cap liability in Florida. This trend has continued into 2026, according to VITAS CEO Joel Wherley.