Literature Review

Will scandal at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute cause big damage? Modern Healthcare, by Caroline Hudson; 1/29/24Allegations of data manipulation in Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's research has sparked intense scrutiny of a long-revered pillar in cancer treatment and put its once-sparkling reputation into question. ... Retaining Dana-Farber's long-term standing and preserving its bottom line will depend on how fast the institute moves to control the fallout from a scandal that has made national headlines, marketing and risk management experts said.

Hospice Nurse Shares The unexplained experience with a patient that changed her view on death and dyingYour Tango, by Nia Tipton; 1/29/24Death is the most mysterious part of the cycle of life for many individuals. What happens when we die? Is it peaceful? Is it scary? The unknown of what becomes of our souls once our physical presence leaves this Earth can be a daunting thought, but a hospice nurse named Julie offered some insight that she was a firsthand witness to after an elderly patient she'd been looking after passed away.

Senate probes the cost of assisted living and its burden on American familiesKFF Health News, by Jordan Rau; 1/25/24A U.S. Senate committee on Thursday launched an examination of assisted living, holding its first hearing in two decades on the industry as leaders of both parties expressed concern about the high cost and mixed quality of the long-term care facilities. The federal government has minimal oversight of assisted living, which is regulated by states, unlike skilled nursing homes.

Regular primary care nurse visits can improve home care outcomes, study findsMcKnights Home Care, by Adam Healy; 1/23/24A planned visit program involving primary healthcare nurse practitioners (PHCNPs) can reduce rates of hospitalization and emergency department use among home care patients, researchers found in a recent study published by the Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice.

What’s next for Public Health?Health Affairs Forefront, by Michael Yudell, Joseph J. Amon; 1/23/24Public health in the United States is in crisis. ... If public health is “what we, as a society, do collectively to assure the conditions in which people can be healthy,” then it is time to do just that, capitalizing on this moment to lead with our values of professionalism and trust, health and safety, health justice and equity, interdependence and solidarity, human rights and liberty, and inclusivity and engagement. These are values that many Americans share, and we must work to convince a skeptical public that can be deeply cynical of our field, that we are here to listen and to help as we fight to improve the public’s health.

New health study highlights importance of tailored end-of-life care planningHealth, by Quadri Adejumo; 1/28/24In a groundbreaking study from Rutgers Health, millions of Medicare records were analyzed to discern the end-of-life care trajectories of older Americans. Published in the BMC Geriatrics journal, the investigation scrutinized the final three years of clinical records for Medicare beneficiaries who passed away in 2018.

Wesley Homes announces three new hiresWesley Homes, a nonprofit offering senior housing and care services in the Puget Sound region, has announced three new hires in separate press releases.

Policymakers, providers must take steps to prevent staff mass turnover, researchers sayMcKnights Senior Living, by Kathleen Steele Gaivin, 1/29/24Employment levels in the skilled nursing industry are lagging compared with other parts of the healthcare continuum, noted the authors of a study published Friday in the Journal of the American Medical Association. ... Employment levels have been offset to some degree by hiring of agency staff, which the authors claim may affect resident/patient care by disrupting the continuity of care and “by diminishing the years of experience of the workforce.”

Your 2024 guide to Joint Commission changes - Becker's Hospital ReviewBecker's Hospital Review, by Ashleigh Hollowell; 1/26/24The Joint Commission is cutting more than 200 standards across its accreditation programs, many of which will take effect July 1. The organization initially announced its plans to scale back standards at this scale in July 2023, describing it as the "second tranche of major standards' reduction" following a first round of cuts in December 2022. ... [Among these], Home Care will receive a 15% reduction in performance elements.

As denials climb, MACPAC approves recommendations for managed care oversight McKnights Home Care, by Adam Healy; 1/29/24The Medicaid and CHIP Payment Advisory Commission on Friday approved seven recommendations to enhance congressional oversight of Medicaid managed care organizations as recent reports reveal startlingly high rates of prior authorization denials. 

Sojourns Scholar grant funds Doyon’s project to improve refugee palliative care Boise State News; 1/26/24Assistant Professor Katherine (Kate) Doyon was recently announced as one of the Cambia Health Foundation’s 2023 Sojourns Scholars. ... Doyon’s project will create an online curriculum for community health workers who work with seriously-ill resettled refugees in Idaho. The curriculum will integrate palliative care principles into their training. Grounding her work in cultural humility, Doyon’s goal is to collaboratively develop, assess and distribute the curriculum by partnering with resettled refugees, clinicians who care for refugees and resettlement agencies. 

Series of 19 online videos address paliative care issuesPress-Republican, by Robin Caudell; 1/26/24Project Compassion began with conversations over coffee after Mass between a doctor and a retired priest. Seventy-one percent of U.S. adults have never heard of palliative care. More than 12 million adults are living with a serious illness now and that number is growing exponentially, according to a press release. To help address this need, Project Compassion was developed by Father Charles Vavonese and Dr. Paul Fiacco thanks to a $500,000 grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.

Most US adults fail to recognize heart disease as leading killer of Americans, study findHCP Live, by Patrick Campbell; 1/24/24The American Heart Association's annual report on heart disease and stroke statistics for 2024 sheds new light on the impact and level of public education surrounding the impact of heart disease and stroke in the US and abroad.