Literature Review

63 Hispanic and Latino leaders to know | 2024 Becker's Hospital Review; by Anna Falvey; 9/20/24 Becker's is thrilled to honor these Hispanic and Latino healthcare leaders. Diverse leadership in healthcare culminates in a more comprehensive, seamless experience for both patients and providers alike. The leaders honored in this list are transforming the patient journey, ushering in the new wave of healthcare providers and promoting DEI. ... Becker's Healthcare developed this list based on nominations and editorial research. Leaders do not pay and cannot pay for inclusion on this list. This list is not exhaustive, nor is it an endorsement of the leaders or organizations mentioned. Editor's note: Reminder that the National Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15 to October 15. Are you recognizing your Hispanic employees and volunteers? Click here for CMS resources. 

CMS: Kidney Care Choices Model boosted home-based dialysis, but more data needed Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 9/23/24 The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation’s (CMMI) Kidney Care Choices (KCC) Model demonstration has increased utilization of dialysis in the home and has fostered greater clinician training in addressing related conditions. However, more time and data are needed to evaluate the reimbursement model’s impact on quality and cost, according to the first annual model evaluation report from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The report includes the agency’s analysis of KCC model results during the first performance year since its launch on Jan. 1, 2022. Having this reimbursement path available could ease pressures for palliative care patients making decisions about their serious illness care options.

The evolving landscape of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A fatal disease!  Delveinsight; 9/24/24 Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive degeneration of motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and ultimately, death. ... Despite ALS being relatively rare, affecting 2-5 per 100,000 people worldwide, the question Is ALS on the rise? is gaining attention. While global prevalence has not significantly increased, improved diagnostic techniques, earlier detection, and greater awareness have led to a more accurate identification of ALS cases. Many researchers believe that enhanced surveillance and better tools for genetic testing are uncovering more cases than previously recognized, rather than a true rise in the disease’s incidence. However, with an aging global population, the burden of ALS may grow, as age is a major risk factor. Editor's note: Do you provide disease-specific training for your staff? ALS patients' and families' needs are unique. A significant disease comparison is between ALZ (Alzheimer's) and ALS. With ALZ (Alzheimer's), the brain decreases its abilities to function while the body can remain strong; the person is mobile with cognitive limitations. In contrast, with ALS, the body decreases its abilities to function while the brain/mind/emotions can remain strong. The person is immobile with cognitive awareness, but extreme physical limitations in communicating one's thoughts, emotions, and needs. ALS-specific communication tools provide crucial help for all. For more information in your location, visit The ALS Association's USA map.

Bereaved mum shares 'what not to say' in new book BBC News; by Roger Johnson and Jonny Humphries; 9/24/24 A bereaved mother has written a book exploring the sensitive topic of how to speak to a parent struck by the loss of a child. Singer and entertainer Kiki Deville, from Earby, said she felt as if she would "never experience joy again" after losing her four-week-old son Dexter in 2007. Dexter died from the rare genetic condition Zellweger Syndrome and spent his last days in Chorley children's hospice Derian House, of which Ms. Deville is now a patron.  Her work there, including countless conversations with other parents, informed her book 'What Not To Say: A Practical Guide to Supporting Bereaved Parents'. Ms. Deville said 17 years after the loss of Dexter, she still remembers the first time someone made the well-meaning but painful comment: "At least he was just a baby." "Now that infers were he older, his death would have mattered more," she told the BBC.  From speaking to other mothers, Ms. Deville also gave examples such as "at least you have other children" and "they're in a better place" as things not to say. She said: "It's really important to recognise that nobody says anything out of malice, I don't think anybody sets out to hurt."Editor's note, calling all non-clinical hospice and palliative care leaders: Your interactions with bereaved parents speak volumes. Do you convey cheap platitudes or wise empathy? Incorporate these human vulnerabilities into your leadership skills. Open yourself to the pain of experiencing the pain and joys of your organization's palliative/hospice pediatric families. Invest a day of shadowing with a pediatric interdisciplinary team member. Be willing to go there. Be willing to be there: physically, mentally,  emotionally, and spiritually (without imposing your own onto others).

East Lansing caregiver sentenced for role in freezing death of elderly womanOIG press release; 9/17/24Colleen Kelly O’Connor, 58, of East Lansing, was sentenced to two years of probation with the first 6-months in jail by Judge Cori E. Barkman of the 29th Circuit Court in Clinton County for her role in the death of an 82-year-old woman in December 2022, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. O’Conner was convicted in June by a Clinton County jury of one count of Vulnerable Adult Abuse — Second Degree. The victim, who was under O’Connor’s care at Vista Springs Imperial Park at Timber Ridge, an assisted living facility in Clinton County, died of exposure after being left unsupervised. O’Connor was also ordered to pay $1,115.00 in restitution to the daughter of the victim... During the very early morning hours of December 23, 2022, O’Connor twice observed the victim attempt to go outside without appropriate attire into a blizzard with single-digit temperatures, subzero windchill, and blowing and drifting snow. As a caregiver, O’Connor recklessly failed to act to prevent the victim from going outdoors into the storm, resulting in her death. A snowplow driver found the victim in the parking lot around 7 a.m., partially buried in snow.

Delaware Governor John Carney vetoed HB #140 AAB HA #1 (9/20/24) – An act to amend Title 16 of the Delaware Code related to end of life optionsPress release; 9/20/24

Report: US has worse healthcare of 10 developed countriesMcKnight's Long-Term Care News; by Kristen Fischer; 9/19/24Americans die earlier and are the sickest — and have the worst healthcare on the whole — compared with nine other developed countries, a new report shows. “The United States is failing one of its principal obligations as a nation: to protect the health and welfare of its people,” Joseph Betancourt, MD, president of the Commonwealth Fund, said in a HealthDay article... Despite its deficiencies, the US spends the most on healthcare, the report noted. Australia, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom had the highest rankings, data showed. The other countries included in the report were Germany, New Zealand, Sweden, Canada, France, and Switzerland.

Hospice fraud prevention toolkitCMS press release; 9/24People with Medicare should beware of scammers offering older Americans in-home perks, like free cooking, cleaning and home health services, while they are unknowingly being signed up for hospice services. The scammers then unlawfully bill Medicare for these services in your name. Criminals are using every avenue they can to sign people up including door-to-door visits, false advertising, phone, text and email. Hospice care is for people who are terminally ill and only the patient and doctor can make this serious decision about end-of-life care. This toolkit includes social media posts and a drop-in article to help educate beneficiaries and their loved ones on how to protect themselves against Medicare Hospice fraud.Publisher's note: Also see resources posted on the CMS Senior Medicare Patrol Hospice Fraud website.

Hospice provider relocates to Bethlehem [PA] Lehigh Valley Business; by Stacy Wescoe; 9/23/24 Advantage, a provider of contract therapy, home health, and hospice services in Pennsylvania has opened a new office in Bethlehem on the Holy Family Manor campus. The existing Advantage campuses of Emmaus and Old Forge will be relocated to the Advantage Home Health and Hospice Bethlehem office.  Clinical, social, and bereavement services will remain uninterrupted, the company said in a press release, and it will continue to serve all the same areas. 

Gentiva leaning into staff development, advanced illness management business Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 9/23/24 Gentiva in 2024 and 2025 is laser-focused on staff retention and building out its palliative care platform Empatia. ... Gentiva, among other initiatives, is investing in staff education to help develop clearer career paths, stave off burnout and boost retention, according to Chief Clinical Officer Jacqueline Lopez-Devine. “Education is very, very important to the concept of staff retention — taking newer staff that walk into the industry. We have thoughtful training programs that teach them even the concept of work-life balance, professional balance,” Lopez-Devine told Hospice News. “It’s really important that, as organizations, we teach our team members those concepts of joy in work, taking care of self and professional boundaries. That’s what’s going to make us different in some of these other health care industries that maybe don’t take the time.” ... Gentiva is a portfolio company of the private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CDR). The Atlanta-based provider emerged from the former hospice and personal care segments of Kindred at Home. CDR in 2022 purchased a 60% stake from the insurance mammoth Humana, Inc., for $2.8 billion. The firm later rebranded the hospice provider as Gentiva.

Nurse workplace violence reporting increased 1,080% with new tool Becker's Clinical Leadership; by Mariah Taylor; 9/19/24 Making it easier to report workplace violence with quick-scan codes on walls and badges increased reporting by 1,080% in two months, according to a new study. ... When surveyed, nurses said they did not report workplace violence incidents for the following reasons: "nothing will change" (24%), "event was not severe enough" (21%), "part of the job" (15%), "electronic reporting system is time-consuming/complicated" (9%), "lack of time" (6%), "don’t know how" (3%) and "lack of leadership support" (3%). In addition, more than half of respondents said they disclosed the event to the charge nurse when they did not formally report it.  To overcome these barriers, researchers created a tool that allows nurses to scan a quick-response code with their phones. Codes were located on wall flyers and name badge stickers. Two months after implementation, the tool recorded 94 quick response code scans and 59 workplace violence reports, a 1,080% increase in violence reports compared to the two previous months.

Company resolves AI ad dispute with Texas AG Becker's Health IT; by Naomi Diaz; 9/19/24 An AI company that works with health systems has reached an agreement with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to resolve allegations that it issued inaccurate and deceptive claims regarding the reliability and safety of its products. AI health tech company Pieces Technologies' generative AI tool is capable of providing summaries of patients' conditions and treatments for hospital staff. The company works with four hospitals in Texas, according to a Sept. 18 news release. ...  Mr. Paxton's investigation concluded that these metrics were likely inaccurate and may have misled hospitals regarding the true accuracy and safety of the company's products. As part of the agreement, Pieces has committed to providing transparent and accurate information about the accuracy of its products. The company has also agreed to ensure that hospital staff using its generative AI tools for patient care are fully informed about the appropriate level of reliance on these products.