Literature Review

Nephrologists' perspectives and experiences with hospice among older adults with end-stage kidney disease Journal of the American Geriatrics Society; by Melissa W Wachterman, Anupallavi Sinha, Tarikwa Leveille, Sushrut S Waikar, Eric Widera, Kai Romero, Barbara Bokhour; 5/22/24 Background: ... Hospice use among older adults with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is markedly lower than among older adults with other serious illnesses, and the majority of those with ESKD who use hospice enroll in the last days of life. ... Conclusions: Our findings suggest that, in addition to Medicare policy change, nephrologists need to receive more training in primary palliative care skills including in indications for hospice, initiating conversations about hospice with patients, and collaborating with hospice clinicians to care for these vulnerable patients.

Opinion: I care for people in their final days. Here’s what I’ve learned about hospice.San Diego Union-Tribune; by Kim Ann Dang; 5/23/24[Commentary] Dang, M.D., is a physician specializing in hospice and palliative medicine with Sharp HospiceCare, as well as family medicine with SharpCare, and lives in San Diego. As a doctor specializing in the care of older adults, I have witnessed firsthand the profound impact that timely, compassionate hospice care can have on patients and their families. Hospice isn’t just a service, but a philosophy of care that focuses on enhancing the quality of life for those facing end-stage diseases. It supports people in their final months and weeks, ensuring comfort, dignity and respect. ... Hospice is not about hastening death; it’s about enriching the quality of the time that remains. I urge health care providers, patients and families to consider hospice care not as a last resort but as an integral part of compassionate, dignified end-of-life care.

Great leaders in healthcare | 2024Becker's Hospital Review; by Anna Falvey, Carly Behm, Paige Haeffele, Riz Hatton, Claire Wallace; 5/23/24Healthcare is rapidly evolving and the best leaders have embraced change and are leading organizations on the forefront of transforming care delivery. The [leaders listed] are using innovative digital technology, novel care delivery approaches and creative care solutions to shape the future of healthcare.Publisher's Note: The article includes a long list - mostly large hospital system leaders, which is appropriate given the source. It's likely at least one of these people is in your service area. As always, it's interesting to consider who is selected, why, and where they are. A quick word search for "hospice" occurred once, "palliative" not at all - who might be included in a similar "great leaders in hospice and palliative care" list?

US News adds Medicare Advantage data to rankingsBecker's Hospital Review; by Laura Dyrda; 5/22/24U.S. News & World Report is now including Medicare Advantage data in the rankings for Best Hospitals, according to a U.S. News blog post. The publication previously relied on Medicare data, but as more beneficiaries opt for commercial Medicare Advantage plans, U.S. News decided to expand its scope. The next set of rankings, scheduled for publication on July 16, will include risk-adjusted mortality rates for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in 11 adult specialties. U.S. News weighted mortality scores at 36% of the overall ratings with traditional Medicare data. The weight will shift with the combined mortality score from both Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans.

Hospital to Union: Pay up or you’re stuck with us in your health planWall Street Journal; by Anna Wilde Mathews; 5/21/24The 32BJ Health Fund sought to exclude NewYork-Presbyterian hospitals from its health network to control spending. But the hospital system wouldn’t walk away without a hefty sum.

National Hospice Locator updatedBlog; by Cordt Kassner; 5/27/24The National Hospice Locator (NHL) is an online directory of every known hospice location, and for over a year default search results have been sorted by a quality matrix. On 5/22/24, CMS released updated Hospice Care Compare files. Part of the NHL's quality matrix includes Hospice Care Compare information, and the NHL has now been updated. Search on your state or city and see how your hospice is listed.

Hospice of the Chesapeake celebrates 45 years at event, raising $500k The Baynet; by Hospice of the Chesapeake; 5/23/24 Around 300 guests mixed and mingled at the Fluegel Alumni Center to celebrate Hospice of the Chesapeake’s history of caring for life at its 45th Anniversary Celebration on May 11. The event raised $500,000 to support the organization’s hospice, supportive and grief care programs and services provided to patients and families in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles and Prince George’s counties.

Laws in motion to bring ‘Right to Try’ psychedelics at end-of-life Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 5/21/24Hospice providers are navigating an evolving landscape of laws opening up pathways of access around psychedelic utilization at the end of life. Despite mounting evidence that psychedelics can improve experiences and reduce symptom burden in some terminally ill patients, these drugs remain difficult to access for those wishing to utilize them. Some states and the federal government have considered legislation that would establish a “right to try” psychedelics and other experimental interventions for certain seriously ill patients. 

Legacy society honors ardent supporters of Blue Ridge HospiceThe Winchester Star; by Brian Brehm; 5/21/24 Blue Ridge Hospice holds its cofounder in such high esteem, it has created a legacy society and named it in her honor. The new Helen Zebarth Legacy Society aims to honor Zebarth’s vision, inspire philanthropy and ensure the continuity of compassionate end-of-life care for generations to come, according to a media release from Blue Ridge Hospice in Winchester. Blue Ridge Hospice was formed after Zebarth visited England while her husband, Roger, was stationed in Europe on a military assignment in the 1970s. When the Zebarths returned to the United States in the late 1970s, Helen Zebarth, a former nurse at Winchester Memorial Hospital, got in touch with the hospital’s CEO, George Caley, and told him they needed to start a local hospice. Editor's Note: May we learn from Blue Ridge Hospice. On this day of remembering, we thank those whose vision and perseverance for "hospice care" carved out new paths for better living, dying, moments of death, and bereavement. Who were those pioneers for your hospice? How do you remember their legacies?

Health equity: Insights on the CMS Framework and Leadership in HealthcareCHAP Podcast; by CHAP and Marisette Hassan; 5/23/24As a nurse, witnessing the pervasive disparities in healthcare access was a profound wake-up call. Our conversation with Marisette Hassan takes us on a journey through the challenges and aspirations of achieving health equity, a mission that has never been more critical than in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic. When systems fail to serve everyone equally, the consequences are dire, and our discussion underlines the urgency of this issue. With Marisette's insights on the CMS health equity framework, we unpack the layers of this complex issue, from the importance of data collection to the necessity of culturally tailored services.

Church group fashions 'dignity quilts' for palliative care unitCanada - Local Journalism Initiative; by Wayne Doyle; 5/22/24It’s such a simple thing. But the volume of respect it signifies is unimaginable. The impact it has on surviving family members, equally so. It’s called ‘code dove’ and it’s a special paging phrase; ... staff and residents join the family of the deceased as they gather at the front entrance to say goodbye as the resident leaves the home for the last time. “When our residents are leaving, they exit through the front lobby, the same way they came in,” said Peggy Sauve, assistant director of resident care at the IOOF on Brooks Street in Barrie. “It’s all about respect for the individual and their family. “We hold flameless candles, play their favourite music and take one last chance to say goodbye,” she added. ... As the resident leaves the home for the last time, their body is covered with a dignity quilt, designed and handmade by members of the Elmvale Presbyterian Church Craft group.

Avow honors local veterans at  8th Annual Armed Forces Celebration Avow Cares; Press Release; 5/23/24 Local Veterans from various branches of the military convened at Avow’s 8th Annual Armed Forces Celebration. The event, held on May 17 provided a tribute to those who have served or are currently serving our nation with valor and sacrifice. ... This annual celebration not only serves as a day of deep respect and gratitude but also as a crucial part of Avow’s ongoing commitment to recognizing the heroic service of our Veterans. Throughout the year, Avow distributes approximately 2,000 pins to honor veterans for their service. ... Avow is a Level 5 Partner with We Honor Veterans, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) in collaboration with the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). In 2023, nearly 25% of all hospice patients admitted to Avow were identified as Veterans.

Spread of assisted dying shines spotlight on difficult decisions Financial Times; by Charlotte Middlehurst; 5/22/24 The right to control your death is a principle that societies have debated for centuries. But, as more countries prepare to legalise medically-assisted dying, the reality of allowing the practice is sparking fresh ethical arguments. Some form of assisted dying is now legal in 9 countries, as well as in 11 US states and parts of Australia. [Click on the title's link for data and discussion regarding international policies; concerns about increased "unassisted suicide"; rapid legislative/medical decisions; inducing death; devaluing the lives of disabled persons; ethical choices based on economic factors; doctors' choices; and more.]