Literature Review

Palliative ECT for catatonia in a terminal cancer patient: A case reportJournal of the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, by Arushi Mahajan B.S., Thanvi Vatti M.P.H., Andrew Coulter M.D., Elias Khawam M.D., Molly Howland M.D.Common end-of-life illnesses and medications can lead to catatonia. Catatonia can decrease interactivity, which worsens a terminal patient's quality of life. Treatment includes medications and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Though treating psychiatric disorders aligns with the palliative care philosophy, end-of-life ECT has been rarely reported. The few case reports on palliative ECT involved continuation of prior ECT courses for chronic psychiatric conditions in psychiatric settings after a terminal diagnosis. No studies have explored palliative ECT for acute catatonia.

Social acceptability of psilocybin-assisted therapy for existential distress at the end of life: A population-based surveyPalliative Medicine, by Louis Plourde, Sue-Ling Chang, Houman Farzin, Pierre Gagnon, Johanne Hébert, Robert Foxman, Pierre Deschamps, François Provost, Marianne Masse-Grenier, Jean-François Stephan, Katherine Cheung, Yann Joly, Jean-Sébastien Fallu, Michel Dorval for the P3A Study Group; 2/24Internationally, there is a growing interest in the potential benefits of psilocybin-assisted therapy to treat existential distress at the end of life. However, the social acceptability of this therapy is not yet well known. The social acceptability of psilocybin-assisted therapy for existential distress at the end of life is rather high in Canada. These findings may contribute to efforts to mobilise resources and improve access to this emerging therapy in palliative and end of life care settings.

A death doula keeps legacies alive in rural OregonJefferson Public Radio, by Justin HIgginbottom; 3/13/24 print and audioRudd is an end-of-life doula, sometimes called a death doula, specializing in rural care. In that role she provides non-medical support to those in their last stage of life. ... She helps with practical things like funeral arrangements, helping someone donate their body, or planning for what happens to their property after death. She’s been helping one 83-year-old client with that recently. 

Data breach affects more than 2,000 Texas hospital patients Becker's Health IT, by Madeline Ashley; 3/13/24Dallas-based UT Southwestern Medical Center has been hit with a data breach that is affecting 2,094 patients, according to a data security breach report on Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's website. ... The type of patient information breached includes addresses, medical information, health insurance, date of birth, and "other." "The incident involved internal use of unapproved software and did not involve a cyberattack or external exposure of data," a spokesperson for UT Southwestern Medical Center said in a statement shared with Becker's. 

Heart failure staging and indications for advanced therapies in adults with Congenital Heart DiseaseHeart Failure Clinics / Elsevier, by Alexander C Egbe and Heidi M Connolly; pre-publish 4/24 via onlineSummary: Heart Failure (HF) is common in adults with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), United States, and it is the leading cause of death in this population. Adults with CHD presenting with stage D HF have a poor prognosis, and early recognition of signs of advanced HF, and referral for advanced therapies for HF offer the best survival as compared with other therapies. The indications for advanced therapies for HF outlined in this article should serve as a guide for clinicians to determine the optimal time for referral. Palliative care should be part of the multidisciplinary care model for HF in patients with CHD.

Palliative Care integration on the rise Hospice News, by Jim Parker; 3/13/24A range of medical specialties are incorporating palliative care principles into their care models. The trend points to ways that patients might receive palliative services through new avenues, such as geriatrics, primary care or home health care. 

Poem: I knew you had been sick for quite a while. I had no idea you were walking your last mile.The Andalusia Star News, by Vickie C. Wacaster, "a patient and hospice advocate for Aveanna Hospice"; 3/14/24. This poem is at the end of an article, "COLUMN: Hospice helps make most of all moments."I knew you had been sick for quite a while. I had no idea you were walking your last mile. Had I known your time was so near, Despite my fear, I would have talked more, touched more, and loved more. I asked about your care, your prognosis, your life, Why couldn’t they tell me? I was your wife. Or was I in denial? Did someone try to tell me? Did I refuse to hear? Could I not see? Did I refuse to accept? Your diagnosis and prognosis, did I reject? Was it because of unbelief? That death snatched you as a thief.We could have made the most of the time you had left, If only we had not been afraid of what we felt.

Google Cloud releases new clinical generative AI tools at HIMSS24MedCity News, by Katie Adams; 3/12/24 At HIMSS, Google Cloud announced new AI features designed to assist providers, payers and any other healthcare organizations seeking to make better use of their clinical data.

Healthcare provider anti-burnout bill advances in Congress Modern Healthcare, by Michael Mcauliff; 3/12/24 A bill to support healthcare workers struggling with burnout, stress and other work-related mental health problems advanced in Congress on a unanimous subcommittee vote Tuesday. ... The measure funds grants for healthcare organizations and professionals associations to offer employee education programs to address burnout, encourage peer support, and direct struggling providers to mental and behavioral health treatment.

Radiothon raises over $32,000 for Quiet Oaks Hospice House WJON Radio News; 3/14/24The St. Cloud radiothon held on Tuesday was a huge success for a local nonprofit. ... The radiothon is the kickoff to the fundraising campaign for Quiet Oaks Hospice House. ...

How home care companies can optimize operationsMcKnights Home Care, by Lance A. Slatton; 3/12/24To meet the evolving needs of this growing industry without placing additional stress on employed caregivers, it’s crucial that home care companies optimize their operations. This may involve streamlining their processes, adopting innovative technologies, and prioritizing efficiency to ensure high-quality care and sustainable growth.

Doctor with terminal cancer shares the three things everyone should consider doing to prepare for deathYour Tango, by Alexandra Blogier; 3/12/24Kim is a resident doctor who was diagnosed with metastatic sarcoma when she was 28 years old. She invites people to see what her life is like, as both a medical resident and a cancer patient, focusing on the practice of gratitude and being present. ... Kim revealed the three most important things she’s done as a cancer patient to get the administrative side of her affairs in order, which she recommends everyone do, even if they're not sick.