Literature Review
SPECIAL EDITION: Helena & Hospice Updates
10/04/24 at 03:00 AMSPECIAL EDITION: Helena & Hospice UpdatesOur "Headlines" overload today focuses on Helena and Hospices: current status, ways we can support affected hospices, resources, and more. With a prelude to our "Today's Encouragement" post: In unity, there is strength; when communities come together during a crisis, they can accomplish the impossible. ~ Amanda Ripley
CMS to provide Hurricane Helene Public Health Emergency Accelerated and Advance Payments to Medicare Fee-for-Services providers and suppliers
10/04/24 at 03:00 AMCMS to Provide Hurricane Helene Public Health Emergency Accelerated and Advance Payments to Medicare Fee-for-Services Providers and SuppliersCMS press release; 10/2/24The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is taking action to support providers and suppliers impacted by Hurricane Helene within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster zones, under the President’s major disaster declarations. These providers and suppliers may face significant cash flow issues from the unusual circumstances impacting facilities’ operations, preventing facilities from submitting claims and receiving Medicare claims payments. As a result of the presidential disaster declaration, and HHS public health emergencies declared in the wake of Hurricane Helene, CMS made available accelerated payments to Medicare Part A providers and advance payments to Medicare Part B suppliers affected by Hurricane Helene beginning October 2, 2024.
TCNtalks - Hurricane Helene [click here for video message from Chris Comeaux]
10/04/24 at 03:00 AMTCNtalks - Hurricane Helene
Today's Encouragement: In unity there is strength ...
10/04/24 at 03:00 AMIn unity, there is strength; when communities come together during a crisis, they can accomplish the impossible. ~ Amanda Ripley, The Unthinkable
Clinical capacity palliative care leaders’ top concern for 2025
10/04/24 at 03:00 AMClinical capacity palliative care leaders’ top concern for 2025Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 10/2/24Balancing rising demand with recruitment and retention tops the list of palliative care providers’ concerns heading into next year. Nearly 800 palliative care program leaders and interdisciplinary team members from across the country recently weighed in on a survey from the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC). Respondents included both adult and pediatric palliative care providers who provided feedback on their 2025 outlook in the organization’s first iteration of its annual Palliative Pulse survey. [Survey results included:]
Medicare Advantage is 'jeopardizing' rural hospitals, execs say
10/04/24 at 03:00 AMMedicare Advantage is 'jeopardizing' rural hospitals, execs sayBecker's Hospital CFO Report; by Alan Condon; 10/2/24Medicare Advantage is "failing patients" and "jeopardizing" Nebraska hospitals, according to a survey of 92 member hospitals from the Nebraska Hospital Association. MA provides health coverage to more than 55% of the nation's older adults, about 33.8 million people, but some hospitals and health systems are ending their contracts with MA plans over administrative challenges that include excessive prior authorization denial rates and slow payments from insurers. "Medicare Advantage challenges the future of critical access hospitals due to lower reimbursement rates, slower or denied payments, and increased administrative burdens," Jed Hansen, executive director of the Nebraska Rural Health Association, said during an Oct. 2 virtual meeting with hospital leaders. "Without changes to MA, our rural hospitals may be forced to cut staff and services, further harming patient care. Over time, some of our rural hospitals may be forced to close altogether."
Hospice of Golden Isles returns to independent operations
10/04/24 at 03:00 AMHospice of Golden Isles returns to independent operations Savannah Tribune - Social and Community News; by Savannah Tribune; 10/2/24 Hospice of the Golden Isles (HGI) is pleased to announce it will resume independent operations in the coming months. This decision was made as HGI approaches the final year of its five-year agreement with Alivia Care, a Florida-based nonprofit hospice provider. Throughout the affiliation, HGI faced significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, increased for-profit competition, and Medicare reimbursement changes. Despite these challenges, HGI has continued to deliver high-quality care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay. “We are incredibly grateful for the benefits this partnership has brought to Hospice of the Golden Isles,” said Paula DiLandro, Executive Director of HGI. “However, as the Board of Directors assessed the current landscape, they realized the factors that initially drove the affiliation are no longer as pressing. After careful consideration, the Board decided to return to independent operations, ensuring the future success of HGI.”
Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief Fund for home care & hospice employees in the Carolinas
10/04/24 at 02:00 AMHurricane Helene Disaster Relief Fund for home care & hospice employees in the CarolinasAssociation for Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina (AHHC of NC); by Judy Penn, Executive Director; 10/3/24 Click here to DONATE. Click here to APPLY for Assistance. urricane Helene has severely impacted our community, with many lives already lost in the Carolinas, and countless missing with no means of communication. The Carolinas Foundation for Hospice & Home Care is accepting donations to distribute directly to hospice and home care employees devastated by this storm. Agencies are facing tremendous challenges, including displacement and/or evacuation of staff and patients, collapsed roads, failing infrastructure, lack of water, and the inability to communicate with downed lines. There is a major need for gas to continue to power generators for oxygen dependent patients both in home settings and hospice inpatient facilities. The Association staff has been in contact with government agencies to us keep up-to-date on the situation as it unfolds. Our industry is comprised of caring, compassionate individuals who help those in need. Please consider donating to the Hurricane Helene Relief Fund to help home care and hospice employees hit the hardest. ... 100% of ALL ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS are being borne by the Association and the Foundation. 100% of your donation (tax-deductible) comes in, and 100% of your donation goes out.
Top News Stories of the Month, September 2024
10/04/24 at 02:00 AMTop News Stories of the Month, September 2024
AccentCare sued by EEOC for pay discrimination, retaliation
10/03/24 at 03:50 AMAccentCare sued by EEOC for pay discrimination, retaliationMcKnight's Home Care; by Adam Healy; 10/1/24The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission disclosed last week that it filed a lawsuit against AccentCare, a national provider of home health, personal care and hospice services, alleging wage discrimination and retaliation against workers.
Doctor explains hospice care misconceptions
10/03/24 at 03:30 AMDoctor explains hospice care misconceptions[NBC Denver] 9News; 9/25/24Dr. Payal Kohli explains what hospice care is, what they do at the care facility and explains the misconceptions around hospice.Publisher's note: Nice 5-minute TV interview about hospice.
Heartwarming video show calves bringing joy to hospice patients
10/03/24 at 03:25 AMHeartwarming video show calves bringing joy to hospice patients[Augusta, GA] Fox54 News; by Talker News; 9/26/24Carol Harland had family visiting her when she was surprised by the calves visiting. A heartwarming video shows end of life patients meeting and cuddling two adorable calves. Residents at Ashgate Hospice in Chesterfield, Derbys., spent their day being entertained by four-week-old Brown Swiss cows Bonnie and Bella. Carol Harland, 75, was only admitted into the hospice's inpatient unit two days before the "gorgeous" cows came and visited her but said she had a "lovely day." Carol, who has bowel cancer, said: "The cows have been gorgeous.
Maybe we should select leaders based on their character
10/03/24 at 03:00 AMMaybe we should select leaders based on their characterForbes; by Joyce E. A. Russell; 10/1/24When we hire leaders for our organizations and communities, shouldn’t we pick them based on not only their expertise and ability to do the job, but also their character? Over two decades ago, prominent leadership researchers Kouzes and Posner published a book called Credibility. In their research, they noted that across the globe credibility was the most highly rated and important characteristic of leaders. They stated that, “most of us admire leaders who are honest, forward-looking, inspiring, and competent.” They followed that up with another book with even more evidence called The Truth about Leadership, where they noted that credibility is the foundation of leadership for organizations across the world, and this is based on international data across multiple generations.
Today's Encouragement: ... We're all family right now ...
10/03/24 at 03:00 AMWhat I've what I've seen is, you know, sometimes you have friendly rivalries in the hospice and palliative care world. That's gone. We're all family right now and that--I just whew--that moves me to tears. That's the type of stuff that's like, you know what? Ok, that gives me hope that we are going to get beyond this. ~ Chris Comeaux, 10/2/24, near Asheville, NC, describing his hospice leadership experiences in the midst of Hurricane Helene's aftermath
Leading causes of death by age group
10/03/24 at 03:00 AMLeading causes of death by age groupBecker's Clinical Leadership; by Mariah Taylor; 10/1/24Motor vehicle accidents were the leading cause of death for children, while accidental poisoning, cancer and heart attack were the leading causes of death for adults, according to a report from USAFacts, a nonprofit organization that conducts data analysis. The "America in Facts 2024" report, published in July, used CDC data to calculate the leading causes of death by age from 2020 to 2021. Heart disease and cancer have been the leading causes of death since 1950. COVID-19 became one of the leading causes of death at the onset of the pandemic but has since fallen to the fourth leading cause of death. The top five leading causes of death account for 58% of all deaths in 2022. Twenty-one percent of all deaths were from heart disease, 19% were from cancer and 7% were from accidents in 2022.Publisher's note: Please click the link above for leading causes of death by age group.
The HOPE assessment tool: What you need to know [free webinar from CHAP]
10/03/24 at 03:00 AMThe HOPE assessment tool: What you need to know [free webinar from CHAP]CHAP press release; 10/2/24The HOPE assessment tool kicks off in 2025 and will catalyze hospice care to a new level. CMS developed the HOPE tool to inform future quality measure development and payment reform, eventually moving hospice from pay-for-submission to pay-for-performance. This session will describe the implementation of the HOPE assessment tool, content highlights, and its impact on hospice program operations in the next several years.Publisher's note: Dr. Jennifer Kennedy and Kim Skehan from CHAP are presenting this free webinar 10/16/24 @ 1:00-2:00 PM ET. Please click the link above for addtional and registration information.
Governor vetoes private equity bill that would have affected healthcare transactions
10/03/24 at 03:00 AMGovernor vetoes private equity bill that would have affected healthcare transactionsMcKnight's Senior Living; by Kathleen Steele Gaivin; 10/1/24California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Saturday vetoed a bill that would have required private equity firms and hedge fund organizations in the state to provide advance notice to the state’s attorney general of acquisitions or changes in control. The bill would have given the attorney general authority to grant, deny or impose conditions on a proposed transaction, after determining the likelihood of anticompetitive effects, “including a substantial risk of lessening competition or of tending to create a monopoly, or may create a significant effect on the access or availability of healthcare services to the affected community.” The governor’s veto “was a surprise to many in the healthcare industry,” Arent Fox Schiff attorneys wrote for the National Law Review.
Hurricane Helene havoc: Major damage, evacuations, uncertainty at nursing homes
10/03/24 at 03:00 AMHurricane Helene havoc: Major damage, evacuations, uncertainty at nursing homesMcKnight's Long-Term Care News; by John Roszkowski; 10/1/24Many nursing homes and senior living communities in Florida and North Carolina are reeling in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which resulted in forced evacuations of residents, major property damage, power outages and other issues. The hurricane was being blamed for at least 132 deaths in six Southeastern states and federal officials said at least 600 people were still unaccounted for as of Monday evening. Many people lacked power and cellular service, making the job of accurately assessing personal and property damage all the more difficult.
Heroes emerge as providers enter Hurricane Helene recovery mode
10/03/24 at 03:00 AMHeroes emerge as providers enter Hurricane Helene recovery modeMcKnight's Senior Living; by Kimberly Bonvissuto;10/1/24Hurricane Helene made landfall on the Florida panhandle Thursday evening as a Category 4 hurricane with 140 mph winds. By Friday afternoon, the storm had been downgraded to a tropical depression, but the its heavy rain and wind caused damage across an 800-mile path in the southeastern United States. [Hero examples from the article:]
Introducing the Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE) tool [CMS webinar]
10/03/24 at 03:00 AMIntroducing the Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE) tool [CMS webinar]CMS press release; 10/2/24The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering a web-based training course that provides an overview of the Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE) tool and how it relates to the Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP) as described in the fiscal year (FY) 2025 Hospice Final Rule. This training is intended for all hospice providers. The 30-minute course can be viewed on demand and includes interactive exercises to help you understand and apply the content presented. While it is intended that these eight lessons be completed in sequential order, you may also jump directly to any topic of interest.
Breast cancer rising among younger women and Asian Americans, report finds
10/03/24 at 03:00 AMBreast cancer rising among younger women and Asian Americans, report findsNBC News; by Kaitlin Sullivan; 10/1/24Even as death rates from breast cancer have fallen, rates of new diagnoses continue to tick upwards, according to an American Cancer Society report. Americans have benefited from huge leaps in breast cancer treatment over the last two decades, but diagnoses are becoming more common, especially among younger women, according to a report published Tuesday by the American Cancer Society. The new report shows that breast cancer mortality has decreased by 44% since the late 1980s. Rates of breast cancer, however, have increased by 1% every year since 2012. In younger women, rates have increased at a faster clip — by about 1.4% every year since 2021.
How Mass General Brigham built the largest 'hospital at home'
10/03/24 at 03:00 AMHow Mass General Brigham built the largest 'hospital at home'Becker's Health IT; by Giles Bruce; 10/1/24Somerville, Mass.-based Mass General Brigham has built the biggest hospital-at-home program in the country by getting buy-in from leadership and clinicians and through tech partnerships, executives said at a recent conference. The health system now has a capacity for acute hospital care at home of 70 patients, and is currently treating about 50 to 60 a day. The goal is to move to 10% of Mass General Brigham's overall capacity, or about 200 to 300 patients.Publisher's note: How might this be an opportunity for hospice? How might it be a threat?
Utah husband DeWayne McCulla admits to trying to kill his wife in front of her family to ‘ease her suffering’ in hospice
10/03/24 at 03:00 AMUtah husband DeWayne McCulla admits to trying to kill his wife in front of her family to ‘ease her suffering’ in hospiceNew York Post; by Richard Pollina; 10/2/24A Utah man admitted that he tried to kill his terminally ill wife in hospice care in front of her family to “ease her suffering” during his battle with cancer. DeWayne McCulla, 46, pleaded guilty to attempted manslaughter on Thursday after he accepted a deal from prosecutors for choking his wife, Arenda McCulla, 47, according to court documents.
Nurses' top 10 AI concerns
10/03/24 at 03:00 AMNurses' top 10 AI concernsBecker's Health IT; by Giles Bruce; 10/1/24Nearly a quarter of nurses are uncomfortable with artificial intelligence's use in healthcare, according to an Oct. 1 McKinsey & Co. report. Here are nurses' top 10 concerns about AI, per the management consultant's joint survey with the American Nurses Foundation of 7,200 nurses:
Patient safety experts want progress on quality measure alignment
10/03/24 at 03:00 AMPatient safety experts want progress on quality measure alignmentModern Healthcare; by Mari Devereaux; 9/30/24Patient safety leaders say standardization is needed to prevent overlapping, conflicting reporting requirements that don’t improve health outcomes. Some are hopeful the industry could see progress in the next few years. Until then, overburdened providers are choosing to report on a handful of quality measures they decide are the most important.Publisher's note: Thinking of Joanne Lynn's efforts to standardize publicly available quality measures at the turn of the century - we'll get there!