Literature Review
The first 8 hospitals to attain Joint Commission's equity certification
02/07/24 at 04:00 AMThe first 8 hospitals to attain Joint Commission's equity certificationBecker's Clinical Leadership, by Ashleigh Hollowell; 2/2/24Eight hospitals have achieved The Joint Commission's new health equity certification, which the accrediting organization rolled out in July. Key components of the certification require hospitals to make "health care equity a strategic priority and are collaborating with patients, families, caregivers and external organizations to identify and address needs that help translate equitable health care into better health outcomes," Jonathan Perlin, MD, PhD, president and CEO of The Joint Commission Enterprise, said in a June 27 news release just days before the program launched.
Northern Light Health works to get back online after computer server breach
02/07/24 at 04:00 AMNorthern Light Health works to get back online after computer server breachMainebiz, by William Hall; 2/5/24Maine's second-largest health care system, Northern Light Health, said on Monday part of its computer network remained down after servers were discovered Saturday to have been breached. Nothern Light Health comprises 10 hospitals including 411-bed Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor; over 1,000 physicians; six home care and hospice centers; and a total of more than 120 care locations.
Cancer is the leading cause of death in HIV-positive individuals
02/07/24 at 04:00 AMCancer is the leading cause of death in HIV-positive individualsManaged Healthcare Executive, by Logan Lutton; 1/17/24In those with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), there is a 10-fold higher cancer risk than in the general population, according to the annual Cancer Facts and Figures report from the American Cancer Society published today. Because HIV compromises the immune system, it increases the risk of infections like human papillomavirus (HPV) that can lead to cervical cancer. Ten cancers are associated with HIV. These include non-Hodgkin lymphoma, cervical, liver, anal, and lung cancers.Access to care is another barrier for the community. There are still nine states where it is legal for healthcare professionals to refuse to care for LGBTQ+ patients: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Mississippi, Montana, Ohio, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The patients in these states account for an estimated 20% of the entire LGBTQ+ population.
Hospice of the Plains annual hog roast draws big crowd
02/07/24 at 04:00 AMHospice of the Plains annual hog roast draws big crowdNews Channel Nebraska, by Forrest Hershberger; 2/4/24Hospice of the Plains supporters took part in the 21st annual hog roast an auction hosted by the Sterling Elks Club February 3. The annual event is one of the major fundraisers for the organization, according to Tiffany Storch, CEO/Administrator of Hospice of the Plains.
Key palliative care trends to watch in 2024
02/07/24 at 04:00 AMKey palliative care trends to watch in 2024Hospice News, by Jim Parker; 1/29/24
The last leaf on the vine: What is lost when a generation passes away
02/07/24 at 04:00 AMThe last leaf on the vine: What is lost when a generation passes away Inside Higher Ed, by Steven Mintz; 2/6/24... For my extended family, my mother is (or was, depending on when you read this piece) the last leaf on the vine, the last surviving member of a generation born in the 1920s that personally recalls the hardships of the Great Depression and the disruptions, upheavals, sacrifices and horrors of World War II. And that leaf is poised to fall.
Explore the enormous benefits of multigenerational living in this essential guide for the modern American family
02/07/24 at 04:00 AMExplore the enormous benefits of multigenerational living in this essential guide for the modern American familyNewsDirect; 2/5/24In today's rapidly evolving world, the modern American family encounters unprecedented challenges without a roadmap for guidance. Addressing this pressing need, Under One Roof (River Grove Books, Feb. 5, 2024) emerges as a comprehensive guidebook authored by Emily K. Graham, Angel L. Vargas, and John L. Graham. With a wealth of experience and insights, the authors present innovative approaches to multigenerational living, shedding light on its opportunities and complexities.
Congress' failure to address violence against health care workers
02/07/24 at 04:00 AMCongress' failure to address violence against health care workersHealth Affairs, by Eli Y. Adashi, Daniel P. O’Mahony, I. Glenn Cohen; 2/2/24According to federal government statistics, the “health care and social service industries experience the highest rates of injuries caused by workplace violence and are 5 times as likely to suffer a workplace violence injury than workers overall.” Health care workplace violence has been a persistent and growing concern for more than a decade.
Mass General Brigham pilot: AI tool helped optimize palliative care utilization
02/07/24 at 03:55 AMMass General Brigham pilot: AI tool helped optimize palliative care utilizationFierce Healthcare, by Anastassia Gliadkovskaya; 2/2/24Artificial intelligence can help identify easy to miss patients who might be good candidates for a palliative or hospice care referral, a recent pilot at Mass General Brigham (MGB) revealed. ... Over the course of the pilot, 9% of 1,522 MSSP ACO patients were recommended for a consult by the tool, with 40 receiving inpatient palliative consults. An estimated 17 of those would have been missed without the Radial tool.
After almost a year closed, Longview hospice center [reopens]
02/07/24 at 03:55 AMAfter almost a year closed, Longview hospice center [reopens]The Daily News (Longview, WA), by Minka Atkinson; 2/2/24PeaceHealth Richard Nau Hospice House is scheduled to begin accepting patients Monday [2/5/24]. An open house Wednesday [1/31/24] allowed community members to tour the facility and meet with care staff ahead of the center’s opening.
Hospice provider BrightSpring begins trading on NASDAQ
02/07/24 at 03:30 AMHospice provider BrightSpring begins trading on NASDAQHospice News, by Jim Parker; 1/29/24BrightSpring Health Services, Inc. has begun trading on the NASDAQ under the stock symbol BTSG. BrightSpring is a home- and community-based health care services platform that serves more than 400,000 patients daily.Notable mentions: Jon Rousseau, CEO BrightSpring.
University of Colorado researcher uses platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ patients in hospice care
02/07/24 at 03:20 AMUniversity of Colorado researcher uses platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ patients in hospice careMcKnights Home Care, by Foster Stubbs; 2/6/24Personal identity plays a big role in Carey Candrian’s research. An associate professor of medicine-internal medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine who identifies as a lesbian, her work primarily focuses on the experiences of older LGBTQ+ adults in hospice care. This work is especially important today in the wake of increased violence towards the community and inconsistent legal protections in recent years.
Rising workplace violence against nurses: A pressing issue in the healthcare sector
02/07/24 at 03:00 AMRising workplace violence against nurses: A pressing issue in the healthcare sector Medriva, by Zara Nwosu; 2/5/24According to a report published by National Nurses United, there has been a disturbing increase in violence against nurses in their workplace, with a staggering 81.6% of nurses reporting experiences of violence. ... It negatively impacts recruitment and retention, with 60% of nurses stating that the experience of violence has influenced their decision to change jobs, leave jobs, or even consider leaving the profession.
StateServe’s Delta Care Rx acquisition fueled by hospice cost saving potential
02/07/24 at 01:00 AMStateServe’s Delta Care Rx acquisition fueled by hospice cost saving potentialHospice News, by Holly Vossel; 1/29/24Durable medical equipment (DME) provider StateServ has acquired Delta Care Rx, a national hospice pharmaceutical benefits manager (PBM). The acquisition is a move aimed at leveraging technology to improve quality, care delivery and operational efficiencies among hospice, palliative and post-acute care providers, according to Drew Mihalyo, founder, president and COO of Delta Care Rx.
Canada again delays assisted dying for the mentally ill
02/06/24 at 04:00 AMCanada again delays assisted dying for the mentally illBBC, by Chloe Kim, Nadine Yousif; 2/1/24Canada has announced plans to again delay an expansion to its medical assistance in dying (maid) programme for people who have a mental illness.
NC report defines healthcare worker shortage and recommends solutions
02/06/24 at 04:00 AMNC report defines healthcare worker shortage and recommends solutionsNC Newsline, by Lynn Bonner; 1/29/24The healthcare workforce has a lot of gaps. The report from DHHS and Commerce focused on nursing, behavioral health, and direct care, saying these areas are the most urgent.
Marijuana is big business in U.S., but inconsistent regulations persist
02/06/24 at 04:00 AMMarijuana is big business in U.S., but inconsistent regulations persistForbes, by Joshua Cohen; 2/2/24Marijuana is big business these days in the U.S. Revenues could reach $40 billion this year, as the drug is now legal in 37 states for medical purposes while 23 states permit recreational use. However, there’s no federal oversight and an inconsistent, patchy set of state regulations persist.
Debate over psychedelic therapy returns to Missouri General Assembly
02/06/24 at 04:00 AMDebate over psychedelic therapy returns to Missouri General AssemblyMissouri Independent, by Rebecca Rivas; 1/30/24Republican lawmakers are once again pushing legislation that would require Missouri to conduct a clinical study on using psilocybin, more commonly referred to as “magic mushrooms,” to treat depression, substance use or as part end-of-life care.
New movie out today based on true story in Pinellas County
02/06/24 at 04:00 AMNew movie out today based on true story in Pinellas County10 Tampa Bay; by Jenny Dean; 2/2/24CLEARWATER, Fla. — "Suncoast" is based on a teen girl coming of age while her brother is dying in hospice care. There's a new movie hitting theatres Friday and coming soon to Hulu based on a true story out of Pinellas County.
3 Reasons Continuous Home Care utilization is falling
02/06/24 at 04:00 AM3 Reasons Continuous Home Care utilization is fallingHospice News, by Jim Parker; 2/2/24Utilization continuous home care has dropped precipitously during the past decade, with labor pressures, regulatory scrutiny and billing challenges as contributing factors. Continuous home care (CHC) represented 0.9% of hospice care days during 2022, according to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO). This is down from 1.8% in 2013.Notible mentions: Sarah Simmons and Patrick Harrison, NHPCO.
Elevance Health’s vision: Transforming Louisiana’s healthcare through acquisition
02/06/24 at 04:00 AMElevance Health’s vision: Transforming Louisiana’s healthcare through acquisitionBNN, by Muthana Al-Najjar; 2/4/24In an ambitious move to transform the healthcare landscape in Louisiana, Elevance Health [for profit] has proposed an acquisition of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana (BCBSLA) [non-profit]. The move aims to leverage Elevance Health’s innovative and integrated approach, focusing on broader social determinants of health to improve health outcomes and provide affordable care.
Spending in home care outpaces other healthcare sectors
02/06/24 at 04:00 AMSpending in home care outpaces other healthcare sectorsMcKnights Senior Living, by Kathleen Steele Gaivin; 2/2/24Spending in home healthcare outpaced other healthcare sectors in November, according to Altarum’s monthly Health Sector Economic Indicators brief, released Wednesday. “In November 2023, year-over-year spending on home healthcare grew the fastest among major spending categories, at 12.9%,” Altarum Fellow and Senior Researcher George Miller told the McKnight’s Business Daily. ... Spending on nursing home care grew 7.9%; prescription drug 12.2%; dental services 5.8%; hospital care 5.9%; Overall, personal spending on healthcare goods and services was 7.3% in November, year over year.
NHPCO publishes Culturally Sensitive Communications to Enhance Care Delivery: A resource guide for healthcare professionals
02/06/24 at 04:00 AMNHPCO Publishes Culturally Sensitive Communications to Enhance Care Delivery: A resource guide for healthcare professionalsNHPCO Press Release; 1/30/24The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s (NHPCO) Diversity Advisory Council (DAC) published Culturally Sensitive Communications to Enhance Care Delivery: A Resource Guide for Healthcare Professionals. ... It contains information from a multitude of NHPCO resources, such as the Hospice Through The DEI Lens report, Inclusion and Access Toolkit, Black and African American Outreach Guide, Chinese American Resource Guide, Latino Outreach Guide, and LGBTQ+ Resource Guide, as well as information from additional external research sources.
Strategies for positive change in opioid prescribing
02/06/24 at 04:00 AMStrategies for positive change in opioid prescribingPharmacy Times; 2/1/24This is a video synopsis/summary of a Practice Pearls featuring Ryan Haumschild, PharmD, MS, MBA, CPEL; Megan Mitchell, PharmD, MS; Stephanie Abel, PharmD, BCPS; and Jennifer Grate, CPhT. Haumschild discusses the importance of positive change in opioid stewardship.
Where do we end our lives?
02/06/24 at 04:00 AMWhere do we end our lives? American Council on Science and Health, by Chuck Dinerstein, MD, MBA; 2/5/24The concept of an elephant's graveyard, where old elephantes supposedly go to die, is more of a myth than a scientifically supported phenomenon. Humans do not have a specific location where we gather to die, but a study looks into the matter nevertheless.