Literature Review



Exploring AI-powered music therapy as a solution to chronic pain management and the opioid crisis

08/09/24 at 03:00 AM

Exploring AI-powered music therapy as a solution to chronic pain management and the opioid crisisNeurologyLive; by Neal K. Shah; 8/6/24While the opioid crisis continues to ravage communities across America, many with chronic pain are in dire need of solutions. As a result, healthcare providers and researchers are urgently seeking alternative treatments for chronic pain management. One innovative solution is the use of music therapy, particularly when enhanced by artificial intelligence (AI) and neurotechnology. This combination could offer a powerful, non-pharmacological intervention to help millions of Americans suffering from chronic pain while potentially reducing opioid dependence.

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Closing the gap in value-based care: Lessons from provider-led ACO experience

08/09/24 at 03:00 AM

Closing the gap in value-based care: Lessons from provider-led ACO experienceHealth Affairs; by Clive Fields, Gary M. Jacobs; 8/6/24Achieving the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS’s) goal to bring every Medicare patient into a value-based care (VBC) arrangement by 2030 requires bold action. With six years left to achieve that goal (as of January 2024), only half of current Medicare beneficiaries are aligned with an accountable care organization (ACO) providing care within a VBC arrangement. This gap is large, but accelerated participation and reaching the 2030 goal remain possible. To close the gap, policy makers must apply the lessons learned from the real-world experience of models developed by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (the Innovation Center), the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP), and other CMS demonstrations. ACOs participating in the MSSP and alternative payment models developed by the Innovation Center have proven that they can deliver high-quality care, improve the patient experience, and generate savings for Medicare. The Congressional Budget Office has found that physician-led ACOs and ACOs with a larger proportion of primary care providers, as opposed to specialists or clinicians in non-primary care settings, generate greater savings.

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Scout crafts labyrinth for hospice

08/09/24 at 03:00 AM

Scout crafts labyrinth for hospice[Scotland] The Laurinburg Exchange; by Deon Cranford III; 8/6/24Cullen Polk, a rising senior at Scotland Early College High School, recently left a lasting mark on Hospice of Scotland County by creating a beautiful labyrinth on the organization’s grounds. This remarkable project was undertaken as part of Polk’s Eagle Scout initiative, showcasing his dedication to service and his desire to make a positive impact on those in a time of need. Inspired by his brother’s Eagle Scout project in 2021 and his mother’s (Laura Adams) continued support as a community and fundraising volunteer for Hospice of Scotland County, when it came time for his own project, Polk reached out to Hospice of Scotland County volunteer coordinator Bunny Hasty for ideas.

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Steward to lay off more than 1,200 Massachusetts hospital workers

08/09/24 at 03:00 AM

Steward to lay off more than 1,200 Massachusetts hospital workersModern Healthcare; by Alex Kacik;8/5/24Dallas-based Steward plans to cut 753 workers at Carney Hospital in Dorchester and 490 employees at Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer on Aug. 31, according to two Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act filings.

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Worn-out caregiver? Not alone. 1 in 3 Michigan women aged 50+ care for others

08/09/24 at 03:00 AM

Worn-out caregiver? Not alone. 1 in 3 Michigan women aged 50+ care for othersBridge Michigan; by Robin Erb; 8/6/24More than 1 in 3 Michigan women 50 and older are caregiving for at least one person with a health condition or disability, according to state data extracted from a national survey. It’s a responsibility that — while it offers rewards and moments of joy and laughter — can exact a heavy physical, emotional and financial toll.

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HOV takes on icy challenge to help end ALS

08/09/24 at 03:00 AM

HOV takes on icy challenge to help end ALSLovin' Life [AZ]; by Lin Sue Flood; 8/4/24Several members of Hospice of the Valley’s Tucson care team enjoyed getting soaked for a great cause: the 10th anniversary of the Ice Bucket Challenge, the global phenomenon that transformed the fight against ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The annual Ice Bucket promotion is a fun way to raise awareness and enhance support for those living with ALS. Hospice of the Valley’s Tucson team was excited to accept the chilly challenge. The nonprofit hospice works closely with ALS Arizona to support and care for patients with the neuromuscular condition.Publisher's note: A great way to raise awareness about your organization is to raise awareness for others!

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Pennant Group acquires Signature Healthcare at Home’s Washington, Idaho assets

08/09/24 at 03:00 AM

Pennant Group acquires Signature Healthcare at Home’s Washington, Idaho assetsHomecare; 8/6/24The Pennant Group, Inc. announced its purchase of the Washington and Idaho assets of Signature Healthcare at Home. The Pennant Group is a company focused on affiliated home health, hospice and senior living. Pennant previously announced its agreement to purchase the Signature assets, with the planned closing of Signature’s Washington and Idaho assets on Aug. 1, 2024. A second purchase agreement of Signature’s Oregon business is intended to close on Jan. 1, 2025. The acquisition of Washington and Idaho’s assets will enhance Pennant’s existing presence in Idaho and establish Pennant’s footprint in Washington, a critical certificate of need state.

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Today's Encouragement

08/09/24 at 03:00 AM

Passion is a huge prerequisite to winning. It makes you willing to jump through hoops, go through all the ups and downs and everything in between to reach your goal. ~Kerri Walsh, American beach volleyball player and three-time gold medalist

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Hundreds participate in 13th annual Run in the Sun

08/09/24 at 03:00 AM

Hundreds participate in 13th annual Run in the SunThe Oskaloosa Herald (IA); by Jeff Wilford; 8/6/24When the starting whistle blew Saturday morning, more than 500 people crossed the starting line in the 13th annual Run in the Sun at William Penn Stadium. Abba's "Dancing Queen" blared over the mobile sound system's speakers. The run is a fundraiser for Mahaska Health Partnership's Hospice Serenity House. ... Participants in the event could chooses to register for either a 5k run or a 2k walk. Registration for either was $25. Donors who contribute $500 or more get their names included on the back of t-shirts made up for the event, said Amanda Doud, director of the Mahaska Foundation. There are 22 names. ... The size of donations varies. "We have a lot of families that donate $100, $200," Doud said. On the other end, Mahaska Rural Water donated $5,000 to the event, which was matched by CoBank, Doud said. Volunteers also took donations the day of the event — a first for them, Doud said. "We had a donor come forward, said all the funds raised the morning of the event, they will match," up to $20,000, Doud said. "We've never had a matching gift or anything like this before." How much money was raised isn't yet available, Doud said.

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How the best leaders get unstuck

08/09/24 at 02:05 AM

How the best leaders get unstuckMcKinsey & Company; 8/7/24Great leaders know that success isn’t a singular achievement—it’s an ongoing journey. That’s why they avoid the “complacency trap,” or getting too comfortable with their existing knowledge and routines. If you’re feeling stuck in life or at work, consider taking a page from the best CEOs, who tend to prioritize these four things to sustain a high level of performance throughout their tenure:

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The recipe for effective leadership has changed, and humility is a key ingredient

08/09/24 at 02:00 AM

The recipe for effective leadership has changed, and humility is a key ingredientForbes; by Jim Dunn; 8/6/24Humility gets a bad rap in the leadership space, often seen as a sign of weakness or low self-esteem. But that’s not how I’ve learned to see it, and recent research agrees. Humility involves accurately assessing your abilities and achievements and acknowledging your mistakes and limitations. Humble leaders are open to new ideas, maintain role-based perspective with a low self-focus and appreciate the contributions of others. Luckily, there are plenty of examples of CEOs who do humility well.

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Car show rolls through Harrisburg

08/08/24 at 03:25 AM

Car show rolls through Harrisburg[SD] Yahoo!News; by Darcy Andersen; 8/5/24A parade of classic to modern cars rolled through a Harrisburg neighborhood Monday evening. It’s all to help Joe Floyd celebrate his 88th birthday as he’s in-home hospice care. He’s long been an avid collector of classic cars. Monday’s parade consisted of about 100 vehicles.

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Families whose loved ones were left decaying in Colorado funeral home owed $950M, payout unlikely

08/08/24 at 03:25 AM

Families whose loved ones were left decaying in Colorado funeral home owed $950M, payout unlikelyAP [Denver, CO]; by Jesse Bedayn; 8/5/24The Colorado funeral home owners who allegedly stored 190 decaying bodies and sent grieving families fake ashes were ordered by a judge to pay $950 million to the victims’ relatives in a civil case, the attorney announced Monday. The judgment is unlikely to be paid out since the owners, Jon and Carie Hallford, have been in financial trouble for years. They also face hundreds of criminal charges in separate state and federal cases, including abuse of a corpse, and allegations they took $130,000 from families for cremations and burials they never provided.

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Hospice patient and wife renew marriage vows in special silver anniversary ceremony

08/08/24 at 03:20 AM

Hospice patient and wife renew marriage vows in special silver anniversary ceremony[MS] WDAM; By Charles Herrington; 8/3/24Buddy and Sonja Myers celebrated 25 years of marriage with a special ceremony at Life Church. The couple renewed their vows during that ceremony. The ceremony was arranged by caregivers at ComfortCare Hospice of Laurel. Buddy Myers has cancer and is a hospice patient. “We went to the Justice of the Peace and got married, and I still laugh at Buddy to this day because he was repeating the vows to the judge and the judge said, ‘You’re not marrying me, tell her,’” Sonja Myers said... The Myers were married on June 8, 2000. Sonja Myers wanted to wear a wedding dress as they planned to renew their vows. That’s when caregivers at ComfortCare Hospice stepped in. “After I got to talking with the family, it came to me that (Sonja) wanted to walk down an aisle next year, at their 25th (anniversary) and so, I started contemplating for a little while and thinking about it and was like, ‘We could make that happen a little early,’” said Raven Anderson, a registered nurse with ComfortCare Hospice.

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Anonymous donation funds new HomeCare & Hospice equipment purchase

08/08/24 at 03:15 AM

Anonymous donation funds new HomeCare & Hospice equipment purchaseOlean Times Herald [Allegany, NY]; 8/2/24Grants are essential for all nonprofits, and the advancement staff at HomeCare & Hospice diligently seeks grants and donations to fund items that may not be in their budget. One such item was a new patient care mannequin. The current mannequin already had served its purpose well, but was in use for 30 years. Although HomeCare & Hospice applied for a grant to cover the cost of a new medical mannequin, they were not accepted. Thankfully, a community member aware of the need made an anonymous donation to cover the $2,500 cost.Notable mention: Melissa Sullivan, CEO of HomeCare & Hospice.

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How systems are changing compensation to attract executive talent

08/08/24 at 03:10 AM

How systems are changing compensation to attract executive talentModern Healthcare; by Caroline Hudson; 8/6/24Organizations are paying higher salaries, reassessing incentives, redefining leadership roles and investing more in key positions to optimize operations, according to SullivanCotter. The firm provides data from more than 2,100 health systems, hospitals, medical groups and health plans for Modern Healthcare’s 2024 Executive Compensation Survey. Here are five takeaways from the survey findings.

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4 Ways servant leaders can inspire professional development in the workplace

08/08/24 at 03:05 AM

4 Ways servant leaders can inspire professional development in the workplaceForbes; by Edward DeAngelis; 8/5/24Servant leadership is very important to me. As business leaders, we strive to build natural and genuine relationships with our workforce, ideally to empower them, as people within the organization, and, in a collective sense, to demonstrate to each individual that the organization, as an entity, recognizes and appreciates…everyone. To support employee retention and performance, leaders must make engaging with their teams a priority. Employees who feel appreciated and acknowledged may not only stay with an organization and be more productive and positive, but also improve customer experiences, increased sales and profitability for the entire organization. ... Here are four ways servant leaders can inspire and support employee development.

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Virginia Department of Veterans Services Veterans Care Centers utilize robotic pets for Veterans coping with dementia

08/08/24 at 03:05 AM

Virginia Department of Veterans Services Veterans Care Centers utilize robotic pets for Veterans coping with dementiaPress release; 8/5/24Six Robotic Companions Donated To Each Veterans Care Center In The Commonwealth. The Virginia Department of Veterans Services is pleased to announce that Capital Caring Health, based in Falls Church, Va., is providing companion robotic pets for veterans at the Commonwealth’s veteran care centers. According to clinical studies and first-hand experience at Capital Caring Health, these companion pets have been proven to improve the quality of life of veterans and others suffering from dementia and/or loneliness. “We find that the robotic pets are very helpful in assisting with residents when they are agitated or restless,” said Robyn Jennings, Administrator at Sitter & Barfoot Veterans Care Center in Richmond. “It gives the veterans a sense of peace when holding the pets.” ... “Recipients of our robotic pets usually keep them around the clock and name them,” said Stephen Cone, Chief of Communications, Marketing & Philanthropy at Capital Caring Health. “Personalities of the veterans change from agitated and confused to often joyful, happy and calm – a dramatic transformation that improves the veterans’ lives. I hear from families all the time how miraculous it is for their family member to have received one of these pets.” These robotic companion pets are provided free of charge to any professional caregiver or family caregiver who contacts Capital Caring Health on behalf of a loved one or patient with dementia thanks to donations from individuals, companies, and foundations.

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Nursing homes’ high rate of Immediate Jeopardy tags warrants ‘all-hands-on-deck’ response

08/08/24 at 03:00 AM

Nursing homes’ high rate of Immediate Jeopardy tags warrants ‘all-hands-on-deck’ responseMcKnight's Long-Term Care News; by Jessica R. Towhey; 8/3/24A return to more “normal” nursing home operations in the post-pandemic world has also often meant a return to certain more serious citations, one industry expert pointed out last week. There has been a particular rise in those labeled as J or greater in scope or severity, which puts them into the Immediate Jeopardy category, she added. Survey tags citing nursing homes for accident hazards, lack of supervision, and inappropriate or misused devices (F-689) continue to run high nationwide this year. The number of Immediate Jeopardy citations on pace to either meet or exceed 2023, expert analysis shows.

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Empath Health, American Health Plans launch ISNP joint venture

08/08/24 at 03:00 AM

Empath Health, American Health Plans launch ISNP joint ventureHospice News; by Jim Parker; 8/6/24The nonprofit senior care provider Empath Health is partnering with the Medicare Advantage organization American Health Plans (AHP), a division of American Health Partners to serve patients who are enrolled in Institutional Special Needs Plans (ISNP). ISNPs are Medicare Advantage plans that are designed to serve beneficiaries who live in skilled nursing facilities. Through the Empath partnership, members of AHP’s American Health Advantage of Florida ISNP will receive interdisciplinary services from TruHealth of Florida, the clinical arm of the ISNP. TruHealth is a newly established joint venture between AHP and Empath. Patients will also have access to Empath Health’s “full-life care” model.Notable mentions: Jonathan Fleece, Empath Health CEO.

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Today's Heartwarming Story [Northern Illinois hospice patient takes the ride of his life]

08/08/24 at 03:00 AM

Today's Heartwarming Story [Northern Illinois hospice patient takes the ride of his life]

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Blumenthal & Barragán introduce bicameral legislation to improve end-of-life care

08/08/24 at 03:00 AM

Blumenthal & Barragán introduce bicameral legislation to improve end-of-life carePress release; 8/1/24U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Nanette Barragán (D-CA) today introduced the Compassionate Care Act, legislation to promote advance care planning and end-of-life care. Many Americans do not have plans in place in the event they experience severe illness. In order to help patients access the care they need and that is right for them, the Compassionate Care Act provides critical resources to educate patients and providers, develop core end-of-life quality measures, and expand access to advance care planning via telehealth.

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CMS rule will align hospitals with age-friendly care for older adults

08/08/24 at 03:00 AM

CMS rule will align hospitals with age-friendly care for older adultsBecker's Clinical Leadership; by Ashleigh Hollowell; 8/2/24Starting in 2025, a new CMS measure will require public reporting on a hospital's capability to provide age-appropriate care for older adults, the agency announced Aug. 1. The measure is included as part of its FY2025 Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems final rule. Hospitals that participate in Medicare's Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program must begin to report on how they meet each element across five areas, the John A. Hartford Foundation explained via a news release shared with Becker's:

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What drives health spending in the U.S. compared to other countries?

08/08/24 at 03:00 AM

What drives health spending in the U.S. compared to other countries?Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker; By Emma Wager Twitter, Shameek Rakshit, Cynthia Cox; 8/2/24The United States spends significantly more on healthcare than comparable countries do, and yet has worse health outcomes. Much of the national conversation has focused on spending on retail prescription drugs and insurer profits and administrative costs as key drivers of health spending in the United States. The Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law by President Biden in 2022, includes several provisions aimed at lowering the cost of these prescription drugs. While it is true that many brand-name retail prescription drugs are priced higher in the U.S. than in peer countries, health spending data indicates that other spending categories – particularly hospital and physician payments – are primary drivers of the U.S.’s higher health spending. This brief examines the drivers of health spending and differences between the U.S. and its peers – other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations that are similarly large and wealthy. In 2021, the U.S. spent nearly twice as much per capita on health as these comparable countries did. Most of the additional dollars the U.S. spends on health go to providers for inpatient and outpatient care. The U.S. also spends more on administrative costs, and significantly less on long-term care. [Long-term care spending includes health and social services provided in long-term care institutions such as nursing homes as well as home- and community-based settings.] ... In 2021, the U.S. spent nearly twice as much on health per person as comparable countries ($12,197 compared to $6,514 per person, on average).

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Today's Encouragement

08/08/24 at 03:00 AM

Are you going to stand or are you going to crumble? In the face of everything, stand still. ~Gabby Douglas, American gymnast and three-time gold medalist

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