Literature Review
How the funeral industry got the FTC to hide bad actors
02/13/24 at 03:00 AMHow the funeral industry got the FTC to hide bad actorsWall Street Journal, by Dominique Mosbergen; 2/5/24Mortuaries that violate fair-practices rules are allowed to take a remedial training program that shields their names from public scrutiny; WSJ investigation reveals more than 500 homes. Unethical funeral homes have exploited grieving customers for decades. What consumers don’t know is that many of the industry’s bad actors have been hidden from the public thanks to a sweetheart deal struck between the Federal Trade Commission and the funeral industry more than 25 years ago.
The most important qualities in a CEO
02/13/24 at 03:00 AMThe most important qualities in a CEOBecker's Hospital Review, by Alexis Kayser; 2/1/24Here are the results of the poll, based on 1,318 votes:
End-of-life: The one decision AI cannot predict
02/13/24 at 03:00 AMEnd-of-life: The one decision AI cannot predictForbes, by Dr. Tal Patalon, MD, LLB, MBA; 2/10/24We often talk about personalized medicine; we hardly ever talk about personalized death. ... When training an algorithm, data scientists usually need a “ground truth” to base their algorithm on, often an objective unequivocal metric. ... However, with end-of-life decisions, such as do-not-attempt-resuscitation (as pointedly exemplified in the New England Journal of Medicine), what is the objective truth against which we train or measure the performance of the algorithm?
Why some health systems say 'hospital at home' not 'worth it'
02/13/24 at 03:00 AMWhy some health systems say 'hospital at home' not 'worth it'Becker's IT, by Giles Bruce; 2/9/24Some health systems have decided that providing hospital-at-home care "might not be worth it," NBC News reported. While "hospital at home" has exploded in popularity in recent years, particularly since CMS started reimbursing for it, some systems have been reluctant to partake in the trend because the CMS waiver expires at the end of 2024, ...
CMS publishes Hospice Item Set Manual changes
02/13/24 at 03:00 AMCMS publishes Hospice Item Set Manual changesMcKnights Home Care, by Adam Healy; 2/12/24Changes went into effect 1/31/24. Table includes Chapter and/or Section in V3.01 of HIS Manual; Page # in V3.01 of HIS Manual; Revision; Explanation
The most common cancers for men and women in 2024
02/13/24 at 02:00 AMThe most common cancers for men and women in 2024Becker's Hospital Review, by Mariah Taylor; 2/5/24Of all cancer cases in men in 2024, 48% are predicted to be prostate, lung and colon and rectum and 51% of all new cases in women are expected to be from breast, lung and colon and rectum cancers, researchers from the American Cancer Society found.
Atlanta’s health care system is strained by major hospital’s closing, doctors and patients say
02/12/24 at 03:35 AMAtlanta’s health care system is strained by major hospital’s closing, doctors and patients sayNBC News, by Bracey Harris and J.J. McCorvey; 2/7/24At Emory University Hospital Midtown in downtown Atlanta, two mobile pods have been stationed outside the emergency room. Doctors have been called in during extra busy “surge” times, and an administrator described patients on stretchers lining the halls. ... Nearby, Grady Memorial Hospital is so packed that ambulance traffic is sometimes routed to facilities miles away. ... These are the aftershocks from the closing in 2022 of Atlanta Medical Center in a city that already struggled to meet demand for services and provide accessible care.
'Be a game-changer': Insights on leadership for Black History Month
02/12/24 at 03:30 AM'Be a game-changer': Insights on leadership for Black History MonthBecker's Hospital Review, by Kelly Gooch; 2/8/24In honor of Black History Month in February, Becker's Hospital Review asked what it means to be a Black leader in healthcare. Here, Black healthcare leaders share how their heritage and culture infuses their leadership philosophies and adds purpose to their roles.
PeaceHealth hospice and home care nurses near Eugene set to begin strike over the weekend
02/12/24 at 03:20 AMPeaceHealth hospice and home care nurses near Eugene set to begin strike over the weekendKLCC Oregon Public Broadcasting, by Rolando Hernandez; 2/8/24After almost a year of negotiations, nurses with PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Home Care Services are going on strike. More than 90 nurses with the Oregon Nurses Association will be striking for two weeks starting Feb. 10. These nurses provide hospice care and other services to patients in the Eugene area.
Nursing home system faces foreclosure amid $51M in unpaid debt
02/12/24 at 03:15 AMNursing home system faces foreclosure amid $51M in unpaid debtBecker's Hospital Review, by Mariah Taylor; 2/6/24A Peoria, IL based nursing home and assisted living company has entered foreclosure proceedings after lenders alleged it owes $51 million in unpaid debts, the Peoria Journal Star reported Feb. 5. Petersen Health Care, which owns 17 facilities, entered the foreclosure agreement with X-Caliber Funding and Capital Funding in two separate federal cases in January. Petersen alleges it was the victim of a ransomware attack in fall 2023 that took down its billing system at several facilities and "crippled" its finances.
Petersen Health Care in battle for $50 million share of massive nursing home portfolio
02/12/24 at 03:15 AMPetersen Health Care in battle for $50 million share of massive nursing home portfolioMcKnight's Long-Term Care News, by Josh Henreckson; 2/6/24An operator of nearly 100 Midwest care facilities is now embroiled in a two-front legal battle over more than $50 million in loans. Two lenders say that Petersen Health Care has failed to make payments due at 17 nursing homes across Illinois, Iowa and Missouri and are seeking foreclosure. The Peoria, IL, company is among the largest care providers in the region, employing several thousand care workers at its facilities in suburban and rural Illinois.
Healthcare data breaches set record in 2023
02/12/24 at 03:15 AMHealthcare data breaches set record in 2023Becker's Health IT, by Giles Bruce; 2/7/24Healthcare data breaches hit an all-time high in 2023 as cybersecurity concerns continue to plague the industry, HIPAA Journal reported. More than 133 million patient records were breached last year, more than double the number in 2022 (51.9 million), according to the publication's analysis of HHS data.
Exploring the relationship between hospice care and end-of-life doulas
02/12/24 at 03:15 AMExploring the relationship between hospice care and end-of-life doulasPhaneuf Funeral Homes & Crematorium; 2/7/24Highlighting the collaborative nature of this relationship, [Lee] Webster pointed out, “Doulas are not out to steal [healthcare professionals’] jobs, but are another set of tools in the tool chest.” The supportive role of doulas can enhance the comprehensive care provided by hospice teams. “People everywhere involved with the doula movement are struggling with this [integration],” Webster added.
Big Bend Hospice Inpatient Unit opens at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, increases access to quality end-of-life care
02/12/24 at 03:10 AMBig Bend Hospice Inpatient Unit opens at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, increases access to quality end-of-life careBusiness Wire; 2/8/24Big Bend Hospice, in partnership with Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH), proudly announces the opening of the First Commerce Center for Compassionate Care (FCCCC), a new inpatient hospice unit on the third floor of Tallahassee Memorial Hospital.
Molina joins chorus reporting Medicare Advantage challenges
02/12/24 at 03:10 AMMolina joins chorus reporting Medicare Advantage challengesModern Healthcare, by Nona Tepper; 2/8/24
4 recent advancements in Alzheimer's disease care
02/12/24 at 03:10 AM4 recent advancements in Alzheimer's disease careBecker's Hospital Review, by Ashleigh Hollowell; 2/6/24Alzheimer's disease research in the last year has expanded, promising clinicians in the field and patients experiencing the condition more accurate detection tests, new treatment possibilities and research to fuel further advancements in care. ... For four of the most recent updates in care and detention, [click on the title's link, above].
VNHS leveraging tech to optimize hospice patient experience: A game-changer in end-of-life care
02/12/24 at 03:05 AMVNHS leveraging tech to optimize hospice patient experience: A game-changer in end-of-life careCompsMag, by Tech Desk; 2/8/24... Georgia-based hospice provider Visiting Nurse Health System (VNHS) ... has been a pioneer in implementing various technologies that are becoming increasingly common in the post-acute space. For example, VNHS implemented its remote patient monitoring program in 2007 and more recently delved into predictive analytics. According to VNHS CEO Dorothy Davis, they have invested for five years in a platform that has become the repository for claims data coming in.
CMS proposes to increase accrediting organization oversight
02/12/24 at 03:05 AMCMS proposes to increase accrediting organization oversightModern Healthcare, by Mari Devereaux; 2/9/24The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services proposed Thursday to crack down on accrediting organizations following concerns of biased, inconsistent survey results and conflicts of interest. The proposed rule would strengthen CMS’ oversight of accrediting bodies and mandate the organizations reduce conflicts of interest with healthcare facilities, including by limiting fee-based consulting services. The proposal also would standardize accrediting organizations' survey processes.
Where things stand: a summary of pending federal cannabis legislation
02/12/24 at 03:05 AMWhere things stand: a summary of pending federal cannabis legislationReuters, Jean E. Smith-Gonnell and Cole White; 2/8/247Federal legislation pertaining to cannabis reform, once a political oddity, now commands significant resources and attention in Congress. With numerous bills under consideration, the landscape is both dynamic and complex. ... In this overview, we aim to provide clarity amidst the legislative maze and get to the root of the most significant cannabis legislation introduced in 2023.
California Hospice Network: State falls short in curbing potential malfeasance
02/12/24 at 03:00 AMCalifornia Hospice Network: State falls short in curbing potential malfeasanceHospice News, by Jim Parker; 2/8/24The continued licensing of new hospices in California despite a moratorium is “deeply disturbing and frustrating,” the California Hospice Network (CHN) indicated in a statement. The practice is undermining efforts to combat hospice fraud, which has been rampant in California according to media and state government investigations. In 2021, the state enacted two hospice reform laws — Senate Bill 664 and Assembly Bill 1280 — designed to strengthen oversight, including a moratorium on new licenses and an extensive audit of California’s licensing and oversight processes.
California Hospice Network: State falls short in curbing potential malfeasance
02/12/24 at 03:00 AMThe Nature of Suffering: BJ Miller and Naomi Saks
02/12/24 at 03:00 AMThe Nature of Suffering: BJ Miller and Naomi SaksGeriPal Podcast, with Alex Smith, Eric Widera, BJ Miller, Naomi Saks; 2/8/24Today we talk about suffering in the many forms we encounter in palliative care.
Humana to close its Louisville headquarters
02/12/24 at 03:00 AMHumana to close its Louisville headquartersBecker's Payer Issues, by Rylee Wilson; 2/5/24Humana will consolidate its Louisville, Ky., headquarters, exiting the 27-story tower that bears its name. The company decided to leave the building as the company evolved to offer more flexible workstyles, the company said in a statement shared with Becker's. Humana will exit the downtown Louisville location over the next 18 to 24 months...
Quality, culture are watchwords for hospices in 2024
02/12/24 at 03:00 AMQuality, culture are watchwords for hospices in 2024Hospice News, by Jim Parker; 2/9/24Amid intensified regulatory scrutiny, staffing headwinds and shifts towards value-based care, hospices need to ensure that they’ve made a strong commitment to quality and to foster a positive workplace culture, according to hospice leaders.Notable mentions: Adnrew Molosky, Chapters Health; Craig Dresang, Yolo Care's.