Literature Review
RiverStone Health closing hospice facility in Billings
02/26/24 at 03:00 AMRiverStone Health closing hospice facility in Billings MTN News; 2/23/24RiverStone Health Home Hospice will close this summer in Billings, the agency announced Friday, largely because of struggles to raise enough money to support operations and find enough employees. RiverStone officials said in a news release they will instead focus efforts on providing hospice care to patients at their own homes, regardless of their ability to pay.
Vancouver hospital asked wrong family whether to pull the plug on patient
02/26/24 at 03:00 AMVancouver hospital asked wrong family whether to pull the plug on patientKGW8 NBC News; 2/21/24In a terrible case of mistaken identity that has never been publicly disclosed, KGW found PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver allowed a family to pull the plug on the wrong man. “We made life-ending decisions for a person we don’t even know,” said Danielson’s husband, Gary.
Today's Encouragement: from Oprah Winfrey
02/26/24 at 03:00 AMLeadership is about empathy. It is about having the ability to relate to and connect with people for the purpose of inspiring and empowering their lives. - Oprah Winfrey
How immersive technology became a Veteran’s dying wish At the end, he wanted to “fly over” the Virgin Islands
02/26/24 at 03:00 AMHow immersive technology became a Veteran’s dying wish At the end, he wanted to “fly over” the Virgin Islands VA News, by Dr. Anne Lord BaileyImmersive technology gave one Veteran a last chance to experience his homeland. Mr. Tito, an Army Vietnam Veteran and Virgin Islands native, lived in the Phoenix VA Health Care System Community Living Center (CLC) for four years.
UnitedHealth unplugs change healthcare information systems to contain cyber attack
02/26/24 at 03:00 AMUnitedHealth unplugs change healthcare information systems to contain cyber attackManaged Healthcare Executive, by Peter Wehrwein; 2/23/24UnitedHealth Group disconnected Change Healthcare's information system to contain a cyberattack that the company says is from an unnamed “nation-state associated cyber security threat actor.”
Growing palliative care a key priority for Amedisys in 2024
02/26/24 at 03:00 AMGrowing palliative care a key priority for Amedisys in 2024 Hospice News, by Jim Parker; 2/23/24Amedisys is pushing forward on palliative care growth in 2024 through its innovation arm, Contessa. The company acquired Contessa in 2021 for $250 million. ... The company has been making substantial investments in building out its palliative care services, particularly through risk-based contracts.
Palliating serious illness during disasters and public health emergencies
02/26/24 at 03:00 AMPalliating serious illness during disasters and public health emergenciesAm J Nurs, by Masako Mayahara, Djin L Tay, Jeannette Kates, William E Rosa; 2/23/24, ahead of print 3/1/24The increase in disasters and public health emergencies in recent years is a serious public health concern. The needs of suffering victims can be multifaceted, particularly the needs of those who are from systematically marginalized populations. Palliative care nurses play a vital role in mitigating the suffering of those affected by these events.
From classroom to clinic: End-of-life conversations — there’s empathy in foresight
02/26/24 at 03:00 AMFrom classroom to clinic: End-of-life conversations — there’s empathy in foresightThe Tufts Daily, by Deeksha Bathini; 2/21/24Palliative care physicians have conversations with families to identify patient wishes, particularly when they are facing death. These physicians are equipped with training that emphasizes empathy, comfort and patient autonomy. Freedom of choice during the dying process gives patients the power to reclaim their agency amidst a process rife with uncertainty.
MA [Medicare Advantage] may be worth the gamble: How agencies can win at a new game
02/26/24 at 03:00 AMMA may be worth the gamble: How agencies can win at a new game HomeCare, by Lindsay Doak; 2/23/24 Over the past decade, a major shift has occurred in the Medicare market that many of us didn’t see coming: the takeover of Medicare Advantage (MA). ... This is a true game changer for the home health and hospice industry. ... So, how can agencies successfully contract with MA plans, while ensuring their costs are covered? This is where I like to refer to the wise words of Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler,” who said, “If you’re gonna play the game…You gotta learn to play it right.”
Understanding the discordance about prognosis between clinicians and terminally ill patients and their surrogates
02/26/24 at 03:00 AMUnderstanding the discordance about prognosis between clinicians and terminally ill patients and their surrogates: A conversation with Douglas B. White, MD, MASThe ASCO Post, by Jo Cavallo; 2/25/24Research shows that about half of adults near the end of life in the United States are too ill to participate in decisions about whether to accept life-prolonging treatment, requiring family members and other proxies to serve as surrogate decision-makers for their critically ill loved ones. However, research also shows that surrogates of patients with advanced illness often have optimistic expectations about prognosis, which often lead to the increased use of invasive treatment (including life support) in dying patients and delays in the integration of palliative care.
Eagle Scout keeps hospice patients warm
02/26/24 at 03:00 AMEagle Scout keeps hospice patients warm ABC News KAALTV, by Rachel Mantos; 2/23/24A service project for one Rochester Eagle Scout ended with a heart-warming friendship after a kind gesture to Mayo Clinic hospice patients. Lars Ingram got the idea to help out hospice patients for his Eagle Scout project from his father, a Mayo Clinic hospice physician. ... After the blankets were delivered to 100 patients, Ingram received word one of them was also a former Eagle Scout.
Not all mourning happens after bereavement – for some, grief can start years before the death of a loved one
02/26/24 at 03:00 AMNot all mourning happens after bereavement – for some, grief can start years before the death of a loved one The Conversation, by Beth Daley; 2/22/24For many people, grief starts not at the point of death, but from the moment a loved one is diagnosed with a life-limiting illness. Whether it’s the diagnosis of an advanced cancer or a non-malignant condition such as dementia, heart failure or Parkinson’s disease, the psychological and emotional process of grief can begin many months or even years before the person dies. This experience of mourning a future loss is known as anticipatory grief.Editor's Note: All clinical team members need to be equipped to tune into and validate grief that is already underway. Social workers and chaplains--especially--need to be trained to tend grief in the present, and to know how to make high-acuity referrals to bereavement counselors.
Advance praise for Oncology and Palliative Social Work: Psychosocial Care for People Coping with Cancer
02/26/24 at 03:00 AMAdvance praise for Oncology and Palliative Social Work: Psychosocial Care for People coping with Cancer Oxford Academic - Oxford University Press; 2/23/24Oncology and Palliative Social Work: Psychosocial Care for People Coping With Cancer (OPSW) fills an important gap in the serious illness literature. The book illustrates the need for integrating palliative care early in the lives of patients with cancer and illuminates the important role that social workers have in providing psychosocial support services across the cancer trajectory.
Utah bill would strip funding from agencies that discriminate against medical marijuana patients
02/26/24 at 03:00 AMUtah bill would strip funding from agencies that discriminate against medical marijuana patients Utah News Dispatch, by Alixel Cabrera; 2/22/24Some Utah municipalities have asked employees to disclose if they are medical cannabis cardholders and then used that information to retaliate against them, said Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla, D-Salt Lake City, who is sponsoring the bill. That’s against state law. Utah code, however, doesn’t delineate any consequences for those who break the law. SB233, titled Medical Cannabis Amendments, tries to find punishment for those discrimination cases by withholding future state appropriations from state agencies or other political subdivisions, the bill reads.
Making a case for palliative care: Creating less stressful and timelier transitions to hospice
02/26/24 at 03:00 AMMaking a case for palliative care: Creating less stressful and timelier transitions to hospiceHealthcare Tech Outlook, by Sarah DiPadova, MSN; 2/21/24When patients and their families hear the word "hospice," they panic. Misconceptions, myths and lack of education about what hospice is have resulted in patients being admitted to hospice later in the dying process than recommended. Because of this delay, quality care and valuable support are also delayed. A referral to palliative care could be the key to ensuring a timelier transition into hospice for patients and their families.Editor's Note: Sarah DiPadova, MSN, is the Director of Clinical Operattions for Hospice and Palliative Care Programs at Redeemer Health
WiHPCA: Applauds State Assembly for approving bill establishing a state Palliative Care Council
02/26/24 at 03:00 AMWiHPCA: Applauds State Assembly for approving bill establishing a state Palliative Care Council WisPolitics; 2/22/24[Wednesday,] the [Wisconsin] State Assembly approved Assembly Bill 736, a bill that would establish a state Palliative Care Council. The Wisconsin Hospice and Palliative Care Association (WiHPCA) strongly supports this legislation, which would ultimately help increase awareness and utilization of palliative care throughout the state. The Assembly Committee on Health, Aging, and Long-Term Care voted 16-0 on January 17 to recommend approval of this legislation. This bill would establish a council of individuals with palliative care and other medical expertise to consult and advise the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) on this type of specialized medical care.
The dying art of performance reviews
02/26/24 at 03:00 AMThe dying art of performance reviews Becker's Hospital Review, by Mackenzie Bean; 2/23/24Some employers are sunsetting annual performance reviews in favor of regular, daily feedback — a trend experts predict will become increasingly prevalent, The Wall Street Journal reported Feb. 22. Many companies still use annual performance reviews, meaning employees often have to wait a year for feedback. ... However, a new generation of leaders are upending this model in a bid to boost productivity among their teams and create more transparent workplaces. These leaders are focused on creating a culture of constant feedback at their companies, training employees on how to give feedback and pausing meetings to share real-time constructive criticism, according to the report.
Providers urge CMS to use caution in midst of hospice VBID implementation
02/26/24 at 02:00 AMProviders urge CMS to use caution in midst of hospice VBID implementationMcKnights Home Care, by Adam Healy; 2/23/24With the Medicare Advantage Value-Based Insurance Design (MA VBID) model, which allows MA organizations to participate in the hospice benefit, underway, advocates have voiced concerns that critical safeguards be put in place.
Why long-term hospice care might be good
02/26/24 at 02:00 AMWhy long-term hospice care might be goodNBC KPRC TV, interview with Joseph Rotella, MD MBA HMDC FAAHPM, Chief Medical Director American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; 2/21/24Most people receiving hospice care don't live for more than a few weeks. Doctor explains why receiving hospice care earlier can be beneficial.
Death and redemption in an American prison
02/25/24 at 03:50 AMDeath and redemption in an American prisonKFF Health News / NPR, by Markian Hawryluk; 2/19/24Publisher's note: This is a "must read" article about Steven Garner, including circumstances regarding how he was sentenced to life without parole at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, his 26-year service in their hospice program, his release two years ago, and his hospice work since.Notable mentions: Warden Burl Cain; Jamey Boudreaux, Louisiana ~ Mississippi Hospice & Palliative Care Organization; Cordt Kassner, Hospice Analytics; Kim Huffington, Sangre de Cristo Community Care.
Looking at the challenges involving hospice care
02/25/24 at 03:45 AMLooking at the challenges involving hospice careNPR WOSU PBS, podcast by All Sides with Anna Staver; 2/19/24Hospice care prioritizes comfort and quality of life by reducing pain and suffering for patients facing the end of life. However, physicians are voicing concerns about a prevalence of serious deficiencies in hospice care and believe it is in need of fixing.Host: Mike Thompson, WOSU chief content director of radioGuests: Dr. Ira Byock, palliative care physician and advocate; Dr. Jennifer Hirsh, hospice & palliative medicine specialist, Mt. CarmelEditor's Note: Originally aired 7/24/23; reposted 2/19/24
South Dakota campaign joins state and federal efforts to expand rural telehealth access
02/25/24 at 03:40 AMSouth Dakota campaign joins state and federal efforts to expand rural telehealth accessMcKnights Senior Living, by Aaron Dorman; 2/12/24The continued need for telehealth options is particularly important for older adults living in rural areas. That reality may explain, in part, why South Dakota is working on legislation that would grant $5 million to assisted living communities and nursing facilities in the state to implement telehealth and telemedicine technology.
Commentary: Virginia hospice care coalition a model for other states to emulate
02/25/24 at 03:35 AMCommentary: Virginia hospice care coalition a model for other states to emulateThe Roanoke Times, by Steve Cone; 2/16/24 Here in Virginia, eight nonprofit hospice care organizations are working together with a private sector sponsor on a statewide initiative called the Virginia Hospice Awareness Campaign to publicize the benefits of hospice. This approach should serve as a model for other states to emulate. (Two of the nonprofits in the campaign serve the Roanoke and New River valleys and Alleghany Highlands: Good Samaritan and ConnectionsPlus.)