Literature Review

Lived experiences of patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure and kidney dysfunctionJAMA Network Open; Gwen M. Bernacki, MD, MHSA; Ann M. O’Hare, MD, MA; Mahlet Assefa, MD; Kevin D. O’Brien, MD; David K. Prince, PhD; James N. Kirkpatrick, MD; Nisha Bansal, MD, MAS; Catherine R. Butler, MD, MA; 1/25This qualitative study of patients currently or recently hospitalized with ADHF [acute decompensated heart failure] and kidney dysfunction offers a window on the lived experiences of members of this medically vulnerable group. Study participants offered vivid accounts of how their illness had impacted their day-to-day lives, sense of self, life priorities, and hopes and expectations for the future. However, many lacked a detailed understanding of the medical aspects of their illness and did not always feel equipped or empowered to actively participate in their care. Our findings suggest that there may be untapped opportunities to improve quality of communication for patients with ADHF and kidney dysfunction. 

Reimagining care and research for Amyotrophic Lateral SclerosisJAMA Neurology; Suma Babu, MBBS, MPH; Joshua M. Sharfstein, MD; Eva L. Feldman, MD, PhD; 1/25Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurological disease involving progressive motor neuron degeneration. In 2022, US Congress and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) commissioned the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) to identify priorities to make ALS a livable disease within a decade. After extensive deliberations and input from the public, researchers, and persons with lived experience, the committee released its report, Living With ALS. To accelerate progress in patient care and therapeutics, one of the report’s major recommendations was for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) to fund a clinical trials network dedicated to ALS that is distributed across diverse geographic regions and integrated within a novel hub-and-spoke system of care and research for ALS. The hubs are ALS Centers of Excellence that provide patient care and research, both basic and clinical, while the spokes represent a large number of community and regional ALS clinics that provide care and link to hubs for research. By integrating ALS clinical trials within this structure, we have the potential to transform ALS care, drive innovation in ALS therapeutic development, and pave the way for breakthroughs in other neurodegenerative diseases. 

Impact of inpatient palliative care on end-of-life care among patients with early-onset colorectal cancerJournal of Clinical Oncology; Suriya Baskar, Bohae R Lee, Rajiv Midha, Udhayvir Singh Grewal; 1/25Palliative care has proven benefits in elderly patients with advanced cancer; however, the objective benefits of palliative care in younger patients with cancer remain under-studied. We sought to examine the impact of inpatient palliative care consultation on end-of-life (EOL) care among hospitalized patients with early-onset colorectal cancer (EO-CRC). Inpatient palliative care consultation at EOL among patients with EOCRC was associated with lesser use of aggressive interventions and higher rates of DNR code status. We also noted significantly lower costs of hospitalization among patients receiving inpatient palliative care consultation at EOL. These results underscore the importance of integration of inpatient palliative care consultation among patients with EOCRC at EOL. 

Underused palliative care could aid stroke survivorsJAMA; Samantha Anderer; 1/25Every year in the US, 800,000 people experience strokes, and although most survive, current treatment plans fail to adequately address their physical, emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual distress, according to a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Palliative care could aid in the quality of life for both patients and their families by helping during all stages of poststroke care, including adapting to functional changes, navigating complex health care systems, and preparing for death when necessary. Although all affected individuals could benefit from palliative care, the statement noted that it is most underused in Black and Hispanic populations, which tend to have a higher incidence of stroke, worse functional outcomes, and a lower likelihood of receiving acute stroke treatments.

Hodges remembered as hospice founder The News-Gazette, Lexington, VA; by Scotty Dransfield; 2/12/25Helen Hodges, the last living founder of what is now Connections Plus Hospice + Healthcare, died on Feb. 1, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and dedication, and a lasting impact on health care in Rockbridge County. Her work helped shape end-of-life care in the area, ensuring that those facing their final days could do so with dignity and comfort. Hodges was one of the four women ... who set out in the late 1970s to bring hospice care to the community. They were a grassroots team with no paid staff and no established structure — just a vision of providing comfort and support for terminally ill patients and their families. By 1983, their efforts had formalized into an official organization, and in 1984, Rockbridge Area Hospice was officially chartered. ... A stone plaque in the hospice gardens now bears her name, a quiet but permanent reminder of the foundation she built. ...

How to help caregivers of patients with dementia Physician's Weekly; by Linda Girgis, MD, FAAP; 2/13/25 Dr. Linda Girgis discusses how physicians can assist caregivers of patients with dementia, helping these critical caretakers avoid experiencing burnout. ... As doctors, we all have witnessed caregiver burnout. Often, it was a family member who bore the brunt of the responsibility, one for whom there were no vacation days or sick time available. Whatever specialty we practice, we know patients with dementia can present a significant problem. ... How can we assist caregivers of patients with dementia?

Avow completes $35,000 training grant provided by FutureMakers Coalition Florida Weekly - Fort Myers Edition, Fort Myers, FL; 2/12/25 Avow recently completed the Healthcare Leadership course as part of a $35,000 grant awarded by FutureMakers Coalition at Collaboratory. Made possible by nearly $23 million in federal funding from the Economic Development Administration’s Good Jobs Challenge, FutureMakers Coalition connects those who need to reskill and/or upskill any, including underemployed and unemployed, Southwest Florida residents with training for industry-recognized credentials and, ultimately, careers with local employers committed to this partnership.

In the flush of love’s light, we dare be brave. And suddenly we see that love costs all we are, and will ever be. Yet it is only love which sets us free. ~ Maya AngelouHonoring Black History Month 2025

432 rural hospitals at risk of closure, breakdown by state Becker's Hospital CFO Report; by Andrew Cass; 2/12/25 There are 432 rural hospitals vulnerable to closure, according to a Feb. 11 report from Chartis, a healthcare advisory services firm. Chartis analyzed 15 vulnerability indicators and found that 10 were statistically significant in predicting hospital closures, including: Medicaid expansion status, average length of stay, occupancy, percentage change in net patient revenue and years of negative operating margin. Of the 48 states with rural hospitals, 38 have at least one at risk of closure, according to the report. The states with the highest number of vulnerable hospitals are: 

Our Hospice Jennings County Gala nets $65K Bridge - WKJD, North Vernon, IN; by LND Staff; 2/12/25 The 27th Annual Our Hospice Jennings Gala, held last Saturday in the Barn at Willow Crossing, raised over $65,000 to support compassionate hospice care services for Jennings County residents. The evening’s success marks a significant milestone for Our Hospice to provide the highest quality compassionate, end-of-life care to community members regardless of their ability to pay. Over 200 community members, healthcare professionals, and business leaders attended this year’s event. “The overwhelming generosity displayed at this year’s gala reflects our community’s deep commitment to ensuring that every family in Jennings County has access to dignified hospice care when they need it most,” said Steph Cain, President of Our Hospice.

Father of 3 stages 'Grief Photo Shoot' to remember wife who died of cancer (exclusive): CJ Infantino and his late wife Ariana were high school sweethearts People; by Jordan Greene; 2/13/25 There are many moments forever etched in CJ Infantino’s memory, but one stands out above the rest. It was Sept. 5, 2020, when CJ and his wife, Ariana, sat their three kids down at the kitchen table in their California home and told them that Ariana, 35, was going to die. ... Ariana was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in 2015 — coincidentally, on CJ’s 30th birthday. "We spent the next five-and-a-half years trying to live as much life as we could. We wanted to pack 30 years into 10," CJ says. ... After her last breath, he recalls that everyone "just went silent." ... Right away, the father of three felt isolated, as if no one could relate to his experience. He found that the things people said were often unhelpful and, at times, unintentionally harmful.  ... "I really just wanted to show my kids that, even though she’s not physically here, it’s okay to talk about her. We’re still allowed to laugh, even when we’re in so much pain," he says. "I remember the first moment I laughed or felt a hint of joy, and I thought, 'Are we allowed to do this?' " ... [Click on the title's link for the inspirational story and family photos before and after Ariana's death.] 

Teleios announces completion of Boomer End-of-Life Care Survey Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN), Hendersonville, NC; by Tina Gentry; 2/12/25 Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN) announced the completion of its survey titled “What Baby Boomers Want in End-of-Life Care.” This survey aimed to gain insights into the healthcare preferences and needs of the Baby Boomer generation as they age, transition into retirement and seek end-of-life care. On February 5th, TCN’s Visioneering Council, which comprises member CEOs, C-Suite staff, and marketing managers, gathered to discuss the survey results and explore the best ways to utilize this information to enhance patient care. Before reviewing TCN’s survey findings, Matthew Wilkinson from NPHI and Bill Keane from Emergence presented results from NPHI’s “Aging and End of Life Care Survey.” Additionally, Dr. Terry Fulmer provided insights from the John A. Hartford Foundation’s survey titled “What Older Adults Want from Health Care.” TCN President and CEO Chris Comeaux said, “Over my career, we have been honored to care for the greatest generation. Now that we are at the dawn of the baby boomers being the majority of those we will be honored to care for as they enter their twilight years. Knowing what they expect, what they care about, what they do not want to worry about, all of this is such important data to ensure hospice over the next 30 years is providing an even greater service to patients and families. That’s what this study was looking to accomplish. It’s a great start in that direction.”