Literature Review



End of life outcomes following Comfort Care Orders: A single center experience

05/16/24 at 03:00 AM

End of life outcomes following Comfort Care Orders: A single center experience The American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care; by Matthew Tucker, Dayna Hovern, John Liantonion, Elizabeth Collins, Adam F Binder; 5/13/24 Conclusions: The majority of patients placed on comfort care died during their hospitalization demonstrating a real need for comprehensive end of life care and immediate hospice services. For those discharged with hospice services, they spent an excessive amount of time in the hospital waiting for services to be arranged.

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Nurses’ Union reaches labor agreement with PeaceHealth for hospice, home health workers

05/16/24 at 03:00 AM

Nurses’ Union reaches labor agreement with PeaceHealth for hospice, home health workers Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 5/14/24 After more than a year of negotiations, the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) labor union has reached an agreement with PeaceHealth. Priorities among the hospice and home nurses include wage increases, raising safety standards, ensuring affordable and accessible home health care delivery, equitable pay protection and addressing clinical staffing crises by increasing recruitment and retention of skilled caregivers. 

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5 tips to support employees with unexpected illness or disability

05/16/24 at 03:00 AM

5 tips to support employees with unexpected illness or disability Forbes; by Diane Winiarski; 5/14/24 When employees experience an unexpected illness or a disabling condition, it can be traumatic for them and unsettling for their managers. It is important for employers to demonstrate support and an understanding of each situation. Another way to show support is by pointing them to the federal disability program created to help in this specific instance. ... These five suggestions can help managers be better equipped to support their team members who are dealing with illnesses, accidents or disabilities.

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Arden Home Health & Hospice acquires Mid-Delta Home Health, solidifying its coverage footprint to over 90% of Mississippi

05/16/24 at 03:00 AM

Arden Home Health & Hospice acquires Mid-Delta Home Health, solidifying its coverage footprint to over 90% of MississippiNewswire, Hattiesburg, Miss.; 5/14/24Arden Hospice is proud to announce its recent acquisition of Mid-Delta Home Health, a 40+ year family-owned, Mississippi business covering predominantly the Mississippi Delta and surrounding areas. As of May 1, 2024, Arden is now the largest home health and hospice company that is proudly owned, headquartered, and operating in the State of Mississippi.

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Care Synergy appoints Dr. Pradeep Rai as Chief Medical Officer

05/16/24 at 03:00 AM

Care Synergy appoints Dr. Pradeep Rai as Chief Medical Officer Care Synergy Network; 5/13/24  Care Synergy announced the selection of Dr. Pradeep Rai, MD, as the company’s chief medical officer. Additionally, Dr. Rai will serve as The Denver Hospice’s (TDH) medical director as well. As Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Rai will lead clinical operations across all of Care Synergy’s hospice, palliative care, and home health affiliates. These affiliates include The Denver Hospice, Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care in Colorado Springs, Pathways Hospice in Fort Collins, and the Colorado Visting Nurses Association (CVNA) which serves patients across the Front Range. He will also spearhead medical operations for Colorado PACE upon its anticipated Q4 2024 launch.

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Making AI actionable in healthcare – a high-level guide

05/16/24 at 03:00 AM

Making AI actionable in healthcare – a high-level guide Becker's Hospital Review; by Calum Yacoubian, MD, Director Healthcare AI Strategy, IQVIA; 5/14/24 Never has there been more interest and excitement around the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare. The advent of Generative AI and LLMs, popularized by OpenAI with ChatGPT, has opened many people’s eyes to what might be possible. Yet, the translation of this promise to patient impact is only in its infancy, and while it is a path with huge potential, as healthcare professionals, we must tread carefully and responsibly. In this article, we discuss the importance of the ecosystem in which healthcare AI must exist, to be successful. That ecosystem is made up of people, process, and technology.

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Humana, Aetna likely to lose Medicare Advantage members

05/16/24 at 03:00 AM

Humana, Aetna likely to lose Medicare Advantage members Modern Healthcare; by Nona Tepper and Lauren Berryman; 5/14/24 Industry heavyweights CVS Health Aetna and Humana foresee Medicare Advantage membership losses next year. Anticipated changes to health plan offerings and benefit design to achieve long-term business profitability could mean losing a significant portion of their Medicare Advantage membership, executives told investors at the Bank of America Securities Healthcare Conference on Tuesday. ... Headed into next year, Aetna may adjust benefits, tighten its prior authorization policies, reassess its provider networks and exit markets, CVS Health Chief Financial Officer Tom Cowhey told investors.  ... [Humana Chief Financial Officer Susan Diamond] anticipates losing about 5% of its 6.1 million Medicare Advantage members, ... Conversely, UnitedHealth Group’s UnitedHealthcare insurance business appears to be better positioned for growth heading into 2025 ... , executives said. UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty said, ... “The thing we don't want is unsustainable ups and downs in our performance in any particular regard. ... You should just expect more of the same from us in terms of what we’re doing.” 

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Medicare Advantage will 'sink' rural hospitals, experts warn

05/16/24 at 03:00 AM

Medicare Advantage will 'sink' rural hospitals, experts warn Modern Healthcare; by Michael Mcauliff; 5/14/24Studies by Chartis [Center for Rural Heaalth] and others paint the bleak picture for rural hospitals. According to a recent estimate by the nonprofit Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform, about 700 rural hospitals are at risk of closing. A recent Chartis report estimated 167 rural hospitals have closed since 2010, with another 418 vulnerable to closure now. [Click on the title's link for patient care examples and more stats.]

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Comprehensive Care in South Valparaiso: Clinical bridges urgent and palliative needs

05/16/24 at 03:00 AM

Comprehensive Care in South Valparaiso: Clinicl bridges urgent and palliative needs ABNewsWire; 5/14/24 ... South Valparaiso – Immediate & Urgent Care Clinic’s expansion into palliative care signifies a positive step towards a more comprehensive healthcare landscape in South Valparaiso. Here’s a look at some potential implications of this development:

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Today's Encouragement: The secret of change ...

05/16/24 at 03:00 AM

The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” — Socrates, philosopher

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Musician grants dying wish to hospice patient

05/16/24 at 03:00 AM

Musician grants dying wish to hospice patient The Platte County Citizen; by Rimsie McConiga; 5/14/24 Jazz musician Stanton Kessler was surprised when he was contacted recently by his friend, a hospice nurse, who reached out to him with an unusual request. A patient at the Kansas City hospice where she works told her his last wish would be to hear his favorite song, ‘Feels So Good’ before he died. During their conversations Kessler’s impression was that this was his friend’s first experience with a request such as this. “There was an element of urgency,” Kessler said. “She said he was near death.” ... An incredibly emotional and rewarding moment followed when Kessler began to play the patient’s beloved song. The man’s eyes remained closed, but his fingers began to move. ...Editor's Note: For research-based, hospice clinical stories, and rich music metaphors for ways use music with the dying and bereaved, examine the book, Music of the Soul, Chapter 7 "The Final Cadence," in Routledge's international Series in Death, Dying, and Bereavement (series edited Robert A. Neimeyer), authored by Joy S. Berger, DMA, FT, BCC, MT-BC (editor for this newsletter).

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When families fight over a relative with dementia, it’s time to call in the mediator

05/16/24 at 03:00 AM

When families fight over a relative with dementia, it’s time to call in the mediator The New York Times; by Paula Span; 5/13/24 Trained negotiators can help families struggling with vexing elder-care issues.  The four adult children were in agreement. Their father, William Curry, a retired electrical engineer and business executive, was sinking deeper into dementia. ... [But their mother] remained determined to continue caring for her 81-year-old husband at home, despite the increasing toll on her own health. ... As the weeks passed, “we were really at an impasse,” [a daughter] said. “Do you override your mother?” ...  [Increasingly,] families seek elder mediation privately, before disputes land in court and imperil or destroy family relationships. [Continue reading for descriptions of how mediation differs from arbitration, from family therapy, and for cautions about this being "a fairly new field with no nationwide certification or licensing requirements."]Editor's Notes: Executive leaders, what community education and resources are you providing for Advance Directives? What family systems education and and problem-solving are you providing for your interdisciplinary team members and grief counselors? Family conflicts are inherent--in some form or fashion--with almost anyone needing dementia care, especially when paired with palliative or hospice care. (If in doubt, ask your seasoned, front-line professionals.)

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Have EHRs been good for healthcare?

05/15/24 at 03:00 AM

Have EHRs been good for healthcare? Becker's Health IT; by Giles Bruce; 5/3/24 Fifteen years after meaningful use incentives propelled the shift to EHRs, health system leaders told Becker's that digitizing medical records has been a net positive for the industry — with some caveats. "Regardless of your position, there is no doubt that EHRs have changed the face of healthcare," said Sandra Hales, associate vice president for IT clinical applications at Phoenix-based Banner Health. "Patients now have timely access to records and data that is simplified for understanding, and there's a level of inclusivity and responsibility for patients to engage in their own care."

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Upskilling and retraining for talent innovation in the AI ​​era

05/15/24 at 03:00 AM

Upskilling and retraining for talent innovation in the AI ​​era Tech Trends Post; 5/13/24 According to a report from the IBM Institute for Business Value, more than 60% of executives say generative AI will disrupt the way their organizations design customer and employee experiences. Employees must change to meet these demands. Many are turning to AI upskilling – the act of providing the workforce with the skills and training to use AI to do their jobs. ... A 2024 Gallup poll found that about 25% of workers worry that their jobs could become obsolete due to AI. ... [This article outlines the following:]

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6 ways to cut EHR burdens for physicians

05/15/24 at 03:00 AM

6 ways to cut EHR burdens for physicians AMA - American Medical Association; by Sara Berg, MS; 5/7/24 When Jane F. Fogg, MD, MPH, first became a doctor, patient charts were on paper. She looked forward to the rise of the EHR, believing electronic charting could help modernize the care she provided while also empowering herself and her patients. Funny how things turn out. “EHRs are a source of burnout—we have lots and lots of great evidence that has helped us understand the low usability and the high work burden that it adds to physicians,” Dr. Fogg, senior physician adviser at the AMA. ... Here are just a few ways that health systems and organizations can improve EHR workflows to reduce physician burden.

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California to redirect more than $7B in healthcare funding

05/15/24 at 03:00 AM

California to redirect more than $7B in healthcare funding Becker's Hospital CFO Report; by Mackenzie Bean; 5/13/24 California is seeking to divert more than $7 billion in funding from the healthcare sector to address a major funding deficit, according to a revised budget proposal released May 10. Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed reallocating $6.7 billion from Medi-Cal provider rate increases planned for Jan. 1, 2025, to balance the state budget. This funding was generated by the managed care organization tax created last year. ... The proposed budget would also cut funding for healthcare workforce initiatives by $854.6 million through 2028. Funding for public health and various behavioral health programs would also be reduced. 

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Potential progress at Optum Tri-State complicated by corporate care crisis: 'It's bonuses for bodies'

05/15/24 at 03:00 AM

Potential progress at Optum Tri-State complicated by corporate care crisis: It's bonuses for bodies' The Examiner News; by Adam Stone; 5/13/24 'It's Bonuses for Bodies' This is the 16th installment in an investigative series, launched in December 2022, about CareMount/Optum/UnitedHealth and broader concerns about corporate medical care. ... I know this piece is a long ride to the larger point but buckle up and pretend you’re reading a few book chapters instead of a newspaper column, because all of the context matters, and interconnects. ... 

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“Mental wellbeing is as important as physical wellbeing – both are interconnected”

05/15/24 at 03:00 AM

“Mental wellbeing is as important as physical wellbeing – both are interconnected” Marie Curie Hospice; by Anne Finucane, Marie Curie Senior Research Fellow, and David Gillanders, Senior Lecturer, Clinical Psychology, The University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom; 5/13/24 At least one in every four people living with a terminal diagnosis will experience depression, anxiety, adjustment disorder or low mood. Many more will experience distress because of deteriorating health and related uncertainty. Feelings of hopelessness, discouragement and even a desire for hastened death can occur. People have reported that psychological support helps them develop better coping strategies, helps them be more open to their situation and improves communication with their families and those involved in their care.Editor's Note: Executive leaders, what value do you give to your interdisciplinary team members and their contributions to patients' mental/emotional care? What advocacy, support and recognition do you have for your social workers, chaplains, counselors? What mental wellbeing measures do your employees experiences throughout your organization--and more directly--from your leadership with them? Perhaps it's time to "take the pulse" of your culture's mental wellbeing.

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CMS extends Medicaid waivers to 2025

05/15/24 at 03:00 AM

CMS extends Medicaid waivers to 2025 Becker's Payer Issues; by Rylee Wilson; 5/13/24 CMS will extend flexibilities designed to help states keep more eligible individuals enrolled in Medicaid through June 2025. The waivers, previously set to expire at the end of 2024, will be extended for six more months, Daniel Tsai, deputy CMS administrator and director of the Center for Medicaid and CHIP services, wrote in a May 9 memo to states. Nearly all states were expected to complete the unwinding process by June 2024, Mr. Tsai wrote, but because several states took extension waivers from CMS, several states will continue renewals past June. 

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Today's Encouragement: Failure is not the opposite of success ...

05/15/24 at 03:00 AM

Failure is not the opposite of success: it’s part of success. — Arianna Huffington, businesswoman

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Hospital CEOs ask patients to receive care at home

05/15/24 at 03:00 AM

Hospital CEOs ask patients to receive care at home Becker's Hospital Review; by Madeline Ashley; 5/14/24 Hospital executives are making the push to move more care, specifically recovery rooms and exams, out of the hospital and into patient homes, to potentially save money and improve finances as the country continues to move out of the pandemic, Politico reported May 11. And Congress is supporting these efforts by introducing legislation that would expand at-home care and to allow Medicare to continue funding telehealth. Here are five findings from the report: ... [Click on the title's link to read more.]

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Maryland becomes sixth state to require salary, wage disclosures in job listings

05/15/24 at 03:00 AM

Maryland becomes sixth state to require salary, wage disclosures in job listings McKnights Senior Living; by Kathleen Steele Gaivin; 5/10/24 Maryland soon will join five other states and the Washington, DC, in requiring employers to disclose salary or wage ranges upfront in job listings. Maryland’s requirement goes into effect Oct. 1. The states of California, Colorado, Hawaii, New York and Washington have similar laws in place, with the requirement expected to go into effect in the nation’s capital, on June 30. ... After a first violation, the employer will receive a warning. Fines for noncompliance range then will range from $300 for the second violation to $600 for subsequent violations. 

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Hospice remains underserved by Medicare Advantage, data shows

05/15/24 at 03:00 AM

Hospice remains underserved by Medicare Advantage, data showsBioMedWire; 5/13/24 While the Medicare Advantage space grows bigger, it is difficult for regulators and the medical industry to decide how best to integrate hospice into MA programs. This is a major concern because hospice care is the only segment of the healthcare sector that isn’t catered for in Medicare Advantage (MA). ... Almost 50% of all individuals (1.7 million) on MA programs that succumbed to their terminal illnesses in 2022 were recipients of hospice services. ... 

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St Oswald's Hospice launches 'emotional' portraits exhibition highlighting end-of-life care

05/15/24 at 03:00 AM

St Oswald's Hospice launches 'emotional' portraits exhibition highlighting end-of-life care Chronicle Live, United Kingdom; by Sam Volpe; 5/11/24 An emotional new exhibition has opened highlighting "the bond that doesn't die" when a loved one dies and promoting the care offered by St Oswald's Hospice. Entitled Portraits with Purpose: Continuing Bonds, and created by Fenham artist Leanne Pearce, the exhibition features twelve portraits of people who have received or are receiving palliative and end-of-life care at St Oswald's. Leanne has created the artwork working closely with the families - who have experienced care and support from the charity at the most difficult of times. 

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AHA, H-ISAC warn hospitals about Black Basta following Ascension cyberattack

05/15/24 at 03:00 AM

AHA, H-ISAC warn hospitals about Black Basta following Ascension cyberattack Healthcare IT News; by Andrea Fox; 5/13/24 Meanwhile, staff at the health system say they don't have paitent orders and can't page doctors. As it works to restore clinical systems, Ascension says it's working with law enforcement and sharing threat intelligence to help prevent similar attacks. The Health Information Sharing and Analysis Center issued a threat alert Friday about the Russia-backed ransomware group Black Basta, warning of its accelerated attempted attacks against the healthcare sector. Prompted by H-ISAC, the American Hospital Association also sent a cybersecurity advisory with technical mitigation recommendations to its members. ... 

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