Literature Review
St Oswald's Hospice launches 'emotional' portraits exhibition highlighting end-of-life care
05/15/24 at 03:00 AMSt Oswald's Hospice launches 'emotional' portraits exhibition highlighting end-of-life care Chronicle Live, United Kingdom; by Sam Volpe; 5/11/24 An emotional new exhibition has opened highlighting "the bond that doesn't die" when a loved one dies and promoting the care offered by St Oswald's Hospice. Entitled Portraits with Purpose: Continuing Bonds, and created by Fenham artist Leanne Pearce, the exhibition features twelve portraits of people who have received or are receiving palliative and end-of-life care at St Oswald's. Leanne has created the artwork working closely with the families - who have experienced care and support from the charity at the most difficult of times.
NAHC advocacy scores wins in Congress
05/15/24 at 03:00 AMNAHC advocacy scores wins in CongressNAHC Newsroom; Press Release; 5/10/24Tireless advocacy by the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) and our partners at the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, has resulted in the approval of the Preserving Telehealth, Hospital, and Ambulance Access Act (H.R. 8261) through the Ways & Means Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. While the committee advanced the legislation, it will still need to be passed by the full House of Representatives and the Senate as well. This first step was crucial to get the bill on the pathway to its ultimate enactment into law. This legislation provides:
Hospice remains underserved by Medicare Advantage, data shows
05/15/24 at 03:00 AMHospice remains underserved by Medicare Advantage, data showsBioMedWire; 5/13/24 While the Medicare Advantage space grows bigger, it is difficult for regulators and the medical industry to decide how best to integrate hospice into MA programs. This is a major concern because hospice care is the only segment of the healthcare sector that isn’t catered for in Medicare Advantage (MA). ... Almost 50% of all individuals (1.7 million) on MA programs that succumbed to their terminal illnesses in 2022 were recipients of hospice services. ...
Maryland becomes sixth state to require salary, wage disclosures in job listings
05/15/24 at 03:00 AMMaryland becomes sixth state to require salary, wage disclosures in job listings McKnights Senior Living; by Kathleen Steele Gaivin; 5/10/24 Maryland soon will join five other states and the Washington, DC, in requiring employers to disclose salary or wage ranges upfront in job listings. Maryland’s requirement goes into effect Oct. 1. The states of California, Colorado, Hawaii, New York and Washington have similar laws in place, with the requirement expected to go into effect in the nation’s capital, on June 30. ... After a first violation, the employer will receive a warning. Fines for noncompliance range then will range from $300 for the second violation to $600 for subsequent violations.
“Mental wellbeing is as important as physical wellbeing – both are interconnected”
05/15/24 at 03:00 AM“Mental wellbeing is as important as physical wellbeing – both are interconnected” Marie Curie Hospice; by Anne Finucane, Marie Curie Senior Research Fellow, and David Gillanders, Senior Lecturer, Clinical Psychology, The University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom; 5/13/24 At least one in every four people living with a terminal diagnosis will experience depression, anxiety, adjustment disorder or low mood. Many more will experience distress because of deteriorating health and related uncertainty. Feelings of hopelessness, discouragement and even a desire for hastened death can occur. People have reported that psychological support helps them develop better coping strategies, helps them be more open to their situation and improves communication with their families and those involved in their care.Editor's Note: Executive leaders, what value do you give to your interdisciplinary team members and their contributions to patients' mental/emotional care? What advocacy, support and recognition do you have for your social workers, chaplains, counselors? What mental wellbeing measures do your employees experiences throughout your organization--and more directly--from your leadership with them? Perhaps it's time to "take the pulse" of your culture's mental wellbeing.
California to redirect more than $7B in healthcare funding
05/15/24 at 03:00 AMCalifornia to redirect more than $7B in healthcare funding Becker's Hospital CFO Report; by Mackenzie Bean; 5/13/24 California is seeking to divert more than $7 billion in funding from the healthcare sector to address a major funding deficit, according to a revised budget proposal released May 10. Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed reallocating $6.7 billion from Medi-Cal provider rate increases planned for Jan. 1, 2025, to balance the state budget. This funding was generated by the managed care organization tax created last year. ... The proposed budget would also cut funding for healthcare workforce initiatives by $854.6 million through 2028. Funding for public health and various behavioral health programs would also be reduced.
CMS extends Medicaid waivers to 2025
05/15/24 at 03:00 AMCMS extends Medicaid waivers to 2025 Becker's Payer Issues; by Rylee Wilson; 5/13/24 CMS will extend flexibilities designed to help states keep more eligible individuals enrolled in Medicaid through June 2025. The waivers, previously set to expire at the end of 2024, will be extended for six more months, Daniel Tsai, deputy CMS administrator and director of the Center for Medicaid and CHIP services, wrote in a May 9 memo to states. Nearly all states were expected to complete the unwinding process by June 2024, Mr. Tsai wrote, but because several states took extension waivers from CMS, several states will continue renewals past June.
Today's Encouragement: Failure is not the opposite of success ...
05/15/24 at 03:00 AMFailure is not the opposite of success: it’s part of success. — Arianna Huffington, businesswoman
Potential progress at Optum Tri-State complicated by corporate care crisis: 'It's bonuses for bodies'
05/15/24 at 03:00 AMPotential progress at Optum Tri-State complicated by corporate care crisis: It's bonuses for bodies' The Examiner News; by Adam Stone; 5/13/24 'It's Bonuses for Bodies' This is the 16th installment in an investigative series, launched in December 2022, about CareMount/Optum/UnitedHealth and broader concerns about corporate medical care. ... I know this piece is a long ride to the larger point but buckle up and pretend you’re reading a few book chapters instead of a newspaper column, because all of the context matters, and interconnects. ...
6 ways to cut EHR burdens for physicians
05/15/24 at 03:00 AM6 ways to cut EHR burdens for physicians AMA - American Medical Association; by Sara Berg, MS; 5/7/24 When Jane F. Fogg, MD, MPH, first became a doctor, patient charts were on paper. She looked forward to the rise of the EHR, believing electronic charting could help modernize the care she provided while also empowering herself and her patients. Funny how things turn out. “EHRs are a source of burnout—we have lots and lots of great evidence that has helped us understand the low usability and the high work burden that it adds to physicians,” Dr. Fogg, senior physician adviser at the AMA. ... Here are just a few ways that health systems and organizations can improve EHR workflows to reduce physician burden.
Upskilling and retraining for talent innovation in the AI era
05/15/24 at 03:00 AMUpskilling and retraining for talent innovation in the AI era Tech Trends Post; 5/13/24 According to a report from the IBM Institute for Business Value, more than 60% of executives say generative AI will disrupt the way their organizations design customer and employee experiences. Employees must change to meet these demands. Many are turning to AI upskilling – the act of providing the workforce with the skills and training to use AI to do their jobs. ... A 2024 Gallup poll found that about 25% of workers worry that their jobs could become obsolete due to AI. ... [This article outlines the following:]
Beyond medicine: 'Being Mortal' challenges healthcare's approach to death and dying
05/15/24 at 03:00 AMBeyond medicine: 'Being Mortal' challenges healthcare's approach to death and dying SwiftTelecast; by Shawn Butlere; 5/11/24 This video from the “Frontline” series, titled “Being Mortal,” follows Dr. Atul Gawande as he explores the complex relationships between doctors, patients, and end-of-life decisions. Based on his best-selling book “Being Mortal,” Gawande discusses how medical training often falls short in preparing doctors for the realities of death and dying. The documentary highlights personal stories, including Gawande’s own experiences with his father’s illness and death, to illustrate the challenges in balancing hope with realistic outcomes and the importance of quality life in the face of terminal illness.
HopeWest selected as Childhood Bereavement Changemaker
05/14/24 at 03:30 AMHopeWest selected as Childhood Bereavement ChangemakerHigh Country Spotlight; Press Release; 5/9/24 In partnership with Colorado-based Judi’s House/JAG Institute HopeWest is one of 11 grief-centered organizations selected by Judi’s House/JAG Institute to participate in the 2024 Childhood Bereavement Changemaker program to build capacity for data collection and program evaluation through a series of trainings, workshops, and collaborative learning sessions. Over the course of a year, Changemakers will receive guidance and practical recommendations to address data and evaluation needs that can inform strategic planning, support funding opportunities, and enhance the overall impact organizations like HopeWest have on the 96,000 Colorado children estimated to experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 18.
A Philadelphia pharmacy’s closure after 26 years highlights the industry’s growing challenges
05/14/24 at 03:15 AMA Philadelphia pharmacy’s closure after 26 years highlights the industry’s growing challenges Times Daily; by Lizzy McClellan Ravitch, The Philadelphia Inquirerer; 5/11/24Last Monday, Friendly Pharmacy filled 318 prescriptions. For about 100 of them, insurance companies paid the pharmacy less than $3. In 22 instances that day, the reimbursement was less than the cost of the medication. ... [Managing pharmacist Brad] Tabaac plans to close his doors on May 31 after 26 years in business. ... Independent pharmacies like Friendly, as well as some chains, have been pinched by pricing and fees set by pharmacy benefit managers — the companies that handle prescription drug plans for health insurance. The three biggest pharmacy benefit managers are CVS Health, Optum Rx and Express Scripts. They control nearly 90% of the market, according to the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), and some of their parent companies also own pharmacies.
Highmark Health lays off dozens of employees
05/14/24 at 03:00 AMHighmark Health lays off dozens of employees Modern Healthcare; by Lauren Berryman; 5/8/24Highmark Health has laid off 47 employees in its latest round of job cuts. The Pittsburgh-headquartered organization owns Highmark Inc., which provides health insurance plans to 6.9 million policyholders in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware and New York. It also operates Allegheny Health Network, which comprises 14 hospitals. A Highmark spokesperson declined to answer questions about the types of roles or specific locations affected. ... The most recent layoffs, which were first reported by news outlet PennLive Tuesday, follow the 182 jobs Highmark eliminated in March. The organization has laid off at least 229 employees so far in 2024.
Treasury extends Medicare insolvency date, citing savings from home health
05/14/24 at 03:00 AMTreasury extends Medicare insolvency date, citing savings from home health McKnights Home Care; by Adam Healy; 5/13/24 Medicare insolvency received a five-year extension — and part of the reprieve can be attributed to the cost of home health. Myriad factors, including job growth and low unemployment rate, contributed to the extension. The projections were also partly influenced by home health spending which has been “significantly lower than estimated prior to the pandemic,” according to the Social Security and Medicare Trustees report. “As a result of the recent home health staffing shortages, the trustees continue to consider the spending level for this service to be suppressed,” they said in the report. “Thus, they have increased their home health spending growth factor by 2.9 percentage points in each of the next 3 years.”
Best Buy lands new health system partner
05/14/24 at 03:00 AMBest Buy lands new health system partnerBecker's Health IT; by Giles Bruce; 5/10/24The tech retailer said it joined forces with Bethlehem, Pa.-based St. Luke's University Health Network in the first quarter. The health system will use Best Buy's Current Health remote monitoring platform to treat post-discharge congestive heart failure patients. "We talk a lot about our big goal to enable care at home for everyone, and we're intentional about our role as the enabler," Best Buy Health said in a May 9 statement. "Partnering with providers, health plans and biopharma organizations is at the core of our strategy." Best Buy has been leaning into healthcare in recent years, acquiring Current Health in 2021 for $400 million and sending Geek Squad members into patients' homes to set up hospital-at-home technology.
Around the nation: Steward Health Care puts hospitals up for sale following bankruptcy
05/14/24 at 03:00 AMAround the nation: Steward Health Care puts hospitals up for sale following bankruptcyAdvisory Board; 5/10/24Steward Health Care, which filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy on Monday, has placed all its 31 hospitals in the United States up for sale in hopes of finalizing transactions by the end of the summer to address its $9 billion debt, in today's bite-sized hospital and health industry news from Georgia, Illinois, and Texas.
Top 5 AI concerns for nurses
05/14/24 at 03:00 AMTop 5 AI concerns for nurses Becker's Health IT; by Giles Bruce; 5/8/24Nurses have been expressing concern about healthcare artificial intelligence lately, with some even marching in protest against the technology. But what are their main qualms with AI? [According to a recent study:]
Life Coordinated Commonwealth PACE holds ribbon cutting
05/14/24 at 03:00 AMLife Coordinated Commonwealth Pace holds ribbon cutting Marshall County Daily; by Staff Report; 5/10/24 Life Coordinated Commonwealth Pace held a Ribbon Cutting on Friday morning with special quest Governor Andy Beshear in attendance to launch the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the elderly in Western Kentucky. This is the first of three planned KY Pace centers which provide elders an option for in-home care versus nursing home care. Life Coordinated Commonwealth Pace will serve qualifying PACE members in a six-county area in Western Kentucky that includes Marshall, Calloway, Graves, Hickman, Fulton and McCracken.
Ribbon cutting: Hospice of North Alabama
05/14/24 at 03:00 AMRibbon cutting: Hospice of North AlabamaJackson County Sentinel; 5/11/24Hospice of North Alabama held their ribbon cutting at their new location at 510 East Laurel Street in Scottsboro on Tuesday, April 30. ... “We’re glad to open our doors to the Scottsboro community,” said Hayley Lamberth, with Hospice of North Alabama. “We understand that end of life care is physically and emotionally difficult for patients and their families. That’s why our experienced staff is available day and night to provide the highest quality, compassionate and individualized care for your loved ones."
Investing in employee engagement can add a competitive advantage
05/14/24 at 03:00 AMInvesting in employee engagement can add a competitive advantageHomeCare; by Jeffrey Knapp; 5/9/24You cannot pay people enough to care. But it is possible to attract and retain great talent and bring out the best in them by fully engaging employees in a shared purpose, giving them a sense that their work is worthwhile and that they are making a difference in the world. That is the culture effect on health care staffing. ... For leaders who want either to start building or to invest more in a culture infrastructure, do not forget these essential steps:
A thoughtful exit from the C-suite
05/14/24 at 03:00 AMA thoughtful exit from the C-suite Becker's Hospital Review; by Kelly Gooch; 5/8/24 Stepping away from the C-suite takes many forms, and hospital and health system executives leave for a variety of reasons, including to retire or to take on new challenges. However, each individual must consider that transition from a business, emotional and personal perspective. For Peter Fine, who has served as Phoenix-based Banner Health's CEO for 24 years, those considerations were part of his thought process. He announced his retirement in April. However, he began to think about his transition out of the C-suite three years ago. ...
African Palliative Care Association: Annual Report 2022-2023
05/14/24 at 03:00 AMAfrican Palliative Care Association: Annual Report 2022-2023African Palliative Care Association; 5/10/24 View and download the APCA Atlas of Palliative Care in Africa. It includes the following 5 "Impact Areas":
The state of paid sick leave: 6 notes
05/14/24 at 03:00 AMThe state of paid sick leave: 6 notes Becker's Hospital Review; by Kelly Gooch; 5/9/24 Paid sick leave has expanded across the U.S. as more states pass laws related to the issue. Here are six notes about the efforts: ... [Click on the title's link for details.]