Literature Review
Barriers and facilitators to end-of-life care delivery in ICUs: A qualitative study
02/22/24 at 03:00 AMBarriers and facilitators to end-of-life care delivery in ICUs: A qualitative studyCrit Care Med; by Lauren M Janczewski, Adithya Chandrasekaran, Egide Abahuje, Bona Ko, John D Slocum, Kaithlyn Tesorero, My L T Nguyen, Sohae Yang, Erin A Strong, Kunjan Bhakta, Jeffrey P Huml, Jacqueline M Kruser, Julie K Johnson, Anne M Stey; 2/19/24Objectives: To understand frontline ICU clinician's perceptions of end-of-life care delivery in the ICU.Setting: Seven ICUs across three hospitals in an integrated academic health system.Subjects: ICU clinicians (physicians [critical care, palliative care], advanced practice providers, nurses, social workers, chaplains).Conclusions: Standardized work system communication tasks may improve end-of life discussion processes between clinicians and families.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services corrects rule involving 2024 home health prospective payment system rate update
02/22/24 at 03:00 AMCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services corrects rule involving 2024 home health prospective payment system rate updateCMS Federal Register; 2/21/24This document corrects technical errors in the final rule that appeared in the November 13, 2023 Federal Register titled “Medicare Program; Calendar Year (CY) 2024 Home Health (HH) Prospective Payment System Rate Update; HH Quality Reporting Program Requirements; HH Value-Based Purchasing Expanded Model Requirements; Home Intravenous Immune Globulin Items and Services; Hospice Informal Dispute Resolution and Special Focus Program Requirements, Certain Requirements for Durable Medical Equipment Prosthetics and Orthotics Supplies; and Provider and Supplier Enrollment Requirements” (referred to hereafter as the “CY 2024 HH PPS final rule”).
Studies conducted at University of New Mexico on Hospice and Palliative Medicine recently published (Cultural advocacy for indigenous individuals with serious illness)
02/22/24 at 03:00 AMStudies conducted at University of New Mexico on Hospice and Palliative Medicine recently published (Cultural advocacy for indigenous individuals with serious illness) American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, by Jeanna Ford, DNP, APRN, ACNS-BC, ACHPN, FPCN, FCNS, and Constance Dahlin, MSN, ANP-BC, ACHPN, FPCN, FAAN; first published 2/2/24, posted in Health & Medicine Daily 2/20/24Indigenous American (I.A.) individuals with serious illness and their families have unmet needs. Often, this group is viewed as a minority within a minority. Numerous health challenges exist within the I.A. populations resulting in dire health care situations. Historical trauma and mistrust of the healthcare system impacts access to quality palliative care by this marginalized population. ... The aim is to empower palliative care clinicians the knowledge to provide culturally sensitive and congruent care to I.A. individuals with serious illness and their community.
Rural-urban disparities and trends in utilization of palliative care services among US patients with metastatic breast cancer
02/22/24 at 03:00 AMRural-urban disparities and trends in utilization of palliative care services among US patients with metastatic breast cancerJ Rural Health; by Jincong Q Freeman, Adam W Scott, and Ted O Akhiwu; 2/20/24Purpose: To assess trends and rural-urban disparities in palliative care utilization among patients with metastatic breast cancer.Conclusions: In this national, racially diverse sample of patients with metastatic breast cancer, the utilization of palliative care services increased over time, though remained suboptimal. Further, our findings highlight rural-urban disparities in palliative care use and suggest the potential need to promote these services while addressing geographic access inequities for this patient population.
Creative examples of hospice fundraising
02/22/24 at 03:00 AMCreative examples of hospice fundraising
How CMS’ rule could tighten accrediting organization oversight
02/22/24 at 03:00 AMHow CMS’ rule could tighten accrediting organization oversightModern Healthcare, by Mari Devereaux; 2/20/24Accrediting organizations may have to reduce their fee-based consultation services and prohibit survey participation for employees with ties to health facilities or face penalties for violating conflict-of-interest provisions if the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services sticks with recent oversight proposals.Editor's Note: Full access to this article requires a subscription.
Exploring the role of medicinal cannabis in palliative care
02/22/24 at 03:00 AMExploring the role of medicinal cannabis in palliative careMicrodose, by Keith Fiveson; 2/19/24Palliative care is a crucial aspect of healthcare, aiming to enhance the quality of life for patients facing incurable illnesses. Within this context, the use of medicinal cannabis (MC) has emerged as a potential avenue for addressing various symptoms and improving overall well-being. This article delves into a systematic review conducted by Marjan Doppen and colleagues, which examines the current evidence surrounding MC’s effects and potential harms in palliative care settings.
Maxwell Healthcare Associates, Hospice Dynamix, and Medalogix announce partnership
02/21/24 at 03:45 AMMaxwell Healthcare Associates, Hospice Dynamix, and Medalogix announce partnershipPR Newswire; 2/20/24Maxwell Healthcare Associates (MHA), a leading provider in the post-acute space with an average of 20 years of experience, is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Hospice Dynamix, and Medalogix. This collaboration aims to revolutionize hospice care delivery through cutting-edge innovation.
Doctor convicted of $2.8M hospice Medicare fraud scheme
02/21/24 at 03:30 AMDoctor convicted of $2.8M hospice Medicare fraud schemeHomeCare; 2/20/24A federal jury convicted a California man for his role in a scheme to defraud Medicare by billing $2.8 million for hospice services that patients did not need. From October 2014 to March 2016, [John] Thropay fraudulently certified Medicare patients ... as having terminal illnesses that the patients did not have ... [in order to] bill Medicare for hospice services. In 2015, Thropay was listed as an attending provider for more hospice claims paid by Medicare than any other provider in the nation.
The bottom line: Top billing, financial mistakes responsible for home health agency struggles
02/21/24 at 03:20 AMThe bottom line: Top billing, financial mistakes responsible for home health agency struggles
C-suite roles that lead to 'CEO'
02/21/24 at 03:10 AMC-suite roles that lead to 'CEO'Becker's Hospital Review, by Alexis Kayser; 2/19/24Health systems have varying priorities when choosing to promote a CEO from within, from clinical or financial experience to tenure length. Some roles, like the chief operating officer, have historically been considered natural seconds-in-line. But presidents, CFOs, chief medical officers and chief nursing officers might also find themselves in the top seat when a CEO retires or resigns.
Embodied decisions unfolding over time: a meta-ethnography systematic review of people with cancer's reasons for delaying or declining end-of-life care
02/21/24 at 03:05 AMEmbodied decisions unfolding over time: a meta-ethnography systematic review of people with cancer's reasons for delaying or declining end-of-life careBMC Palliat Care, by Jessica Young, Antonia Lyons, Richard Egan, and Kevin Dew; 2/19/24Conclusions: Decisions about when (and for some, whether at all) to accept end-of-life care are made in a complex system with preferences shifting over time, in relation to the embodied experience of life-limiting cancer. Time is central to patients' end-of-life care decision-making. ... The integration of palliative care across the cancer care trajectory and earlier introduction of end-of-life care highlight the importance of these findings for improving access whilst recognising that accessing end-of-life care will not be desired by all patients.
[Nebraska] New polling finds 70% support for legalizing medical cannabis
02/21/24 at 03:00 AM[Nebraska] New polling finds 70% support for legalizing medical cannabisNebraska Examiner, by Paul Hammel; 2/19/24New polling found that 70% of respondents are ready to legalize medical marijuana in Nebraska and that a majority of those responding want to approve a novel alternative to property, sales and income taxes.
Inside Hackensack Meridian's strategy to reduce nurse turnover
02/21/24 at 03:00 AMInside Hackensack Meridian's strategy to reduce nurse turnoverBecker's Clinical Leadership, by Mariah Taylor; 2/15/24The nation has an average nurse vacancy rate of almost 16%, according to the 2023 NSI National Health Care Retention & RN Staffing Report. At Edison, N.J.-based Hackensack Meridian Health, however, that figure is 6.5%. The secret, according to one of its leaders: creating a strong culture, investing in nurse leadership development and implementing a strong employee referral program.
Reduced federal share may force state Medicaid programs to cut services, HCBS expert says
02/21/24 at 03:00 AMReduced federal share may force state Medicaid programs to cut services, HCBS expert saysMcKnights Home Care, by Adam Healy; 2/15/24The Congressional Budget Office this month released its “Budget and Economic Outlook” report for the coming decade. In its report, CBO predicted a roughly $58 billion drop in federal Medicaid outlays for 2024 compared to 2023 — a 9% decrease in federal Medicaid spending, due in part to fewer beneficiaries on states’ Medicaid rolls.
[Nebraska] New polling finds 70% support for legalizing medical cannabis
02/21/24 at 03:00 AMPoll: Md. voters support medical aid-in-dying option, but bill is far from the finish line
02/21/24 at 03:00 AMPoll: Md. voters support medical aid-in-dying option, but bill is far from the finish lineMaryland Matters, by Danielle J. Brown; 2/19/24The survey results, released last week, showed that 69.9% of Maryland voters think that a mentally sound but terminally ill adult with only six months to live should have the legal option to request medical aid-in-dying services, while 22% of those who responded to the poll do not support that option. About 8% of the respondents did not answer. ... The overall support for medical aid-in-dying spans political parties and demographics, according to the poll results, as 72% of Democrats surveyed were in support along with 69% of Republicans and 65% of unaffiliated voters.
Medicare home health patients more likely to eventually receive hospice care, study finds
02/21/24 at 03:00 AMMedicare home health patients more likely to eventually receive hospice care, study finds McKnights Home Care, by Adam Healy; 2/20/24Patients who use home health later in life tend to be more likely to enter hospice for end-of-life care — particularly those without dementia. This underscores the need for better home health staff training and enhanced care continuity for Medicare patients, according to a recent study. ... Those beneficiaries who received home healthcare were more likely to enter hospice during their last year of life compared to those who did not have any home health, the study published Feb. 15 in the Journal of Palliative Medicine found.
Center for Hospice Care enhances patient support with Pet Peace of Mind partnership and therapy dog Teddy in Mishawaka
02/21/24 at 03:00 AMCenter for Hospice Care supports patient well-being with four-legged friendsLeadership Life, by Damon Modglin; 2/19/24For all of recorded history, humans have been living alongside their pets. For many people, having an animal companion along for the ride during the ups and downs of living is a comfort that can’t be matched, and it can cause a significant amount of distress to both the person and the animal to be separated. Center for Hospice Care (CHC) understands how stressful this situation can be, which is why it partners with organizations like Pet Peace of Mind to make sure that, as people enter into end-of-life care, the needs of their pets can still be met, allowing owners to keep their fuzzy friends.
Ascension posts $708M quarterly turnaround
02/21/24 at 03:00 AMAscension posts $708M quarterly turnaroundBecker's Hospital CFO Report, by Alan Condon; 2/19/24Ascension reported a net income of $359.5 million in the fiscal second quarter ending Dec. 31, which is a $708 million improvement on the $238.1 million net loss it reported during the same quarter in 2022. "We remain focused on improving hospital operations, ensuring sustainability for the future and making purposeful decisions that improve the health of individuals and the communities we are privileged to serve,"CFO Liz Foshage said. "Our Q2 quarterly results are a demonstration of this commitment and a signal that we continue to move in the right direction."
Today's Encouragement: from Dr. Martin Luther King
02/21/24 at 03:00 AMThe time is always right to do what is right. – Dr. Martin Luther King
[Nebraska] New polling finds 70% support for legalizing medical cannabis
02/21/24 at 03:00 AMSurvey: Nearly half of healthcare workers witness discrimination against patients
02/21/24 at 03:00 AMSurvey: Nearly half of healthcare workers witness discrimination against patients
02/21/24 at 03:00 AMSurvey: Nearly half of healthcare workers witness discrimination against patientsMcKnights Long-Term Care News, by Foster Stubbs; 2/20/24Healthcare workers (HCWs) are likely to witness discrimination in their workplaces, according to a new report from the Commonwealth Fund and the African American Research Collaborative. This can contribute to negative health outcomes for patients as well as emotional distress for both patients and healthcare workers.Editor's Note: What Policies and Procedures do you have in place for your hospice interdisciplinary teams, volunteers, and non-clinical staff? What diversity education and competencies do you regularly require and update?