Literature Review
Today's Encouragement: If you want to fly ...
03/13/25 at 03:00 AMIf you want to fly, you have to give up the things that weigh you down. ~ Toni Morrison
Alliance Member, Jonathan Fleece, testifies before Congress on the value of care at home
03/13/25 at 03:00 AMEmpath Health CEO to Congress: Invest in home-based care Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 3/11/25The federal government must invest further in home-based care, Empath Health CEO Jonathan Fleece told lawmakers at a hearing with the U.S. House of Representatives Ways & Means Health Subcommittee. leece was among several post-acute care leaders who appeared at the hearing, representing home health, hospice, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation hospitals and other stakeholders. In opening remarks, Fleece pointed to the benefits of home-based care for patients and families, as well as the sector’s ability to reduce health care costs.
HomeCare & Hospice celebrates successful bouquet sale fundraiser
03/13/25 at 03:00 AMHomeCare & Hospice celebrates successful bouquet sale fundraiser Olena Times Herald, Allegany, NY; by Olean Times Herald staff; 3/11/25The HomeCare & Hospice Foundation is thrilled to announce the overwhelming success of its annual bouquet sale fundraiser, with community members across the region showing their generosity and support. This year’s event saw an impressive 1,150 18-stem bouquets and 276 nine-stem bouquets sold, helping to raise vital funds for hospice services. Sales were strong in both Genesee and Wyoming counties in the northern region and Allegany and Cattaraugus counties to the south. The north accounted for 670 18-stem and 60 nine-stem bouquets, while the south region contributed 480 18-stem and 216 nine-stem bouquets. ... Although this fundraiser supports the foundation, the exposure gained through the hospice bouquet sales far exceeds the funds raised. Editor's note: This bouquet fundraiser paired with Valentine's Day, providing meaningful, affordable, timely gifts for anyone (i.e., not just red roses).
Mid-Ohio Valley emergency rooms ask for breathing room as respiratory illnesses flare up
03/13/25 at 03:00 AMMid-Ohio Valley emergency rooms ask for breathing room as respiratory illnesses flare up The Parkersburg News and Sentinel, Marietta, OH; by Staff Reports; 3/11/25 As flu, COVID and other respiratory illnesses increase, Memorial Health System is advising people to take preventive measures, prioritize rest at home or seek medical attention elsewhere before heading to an emergency department. "When needed, seeking care through a primary care provider or at a Physicians Care Express location can help ensure timely treatment and help keep emergency departments available for those in urgent, life-saving situations,” according to a release from the Health System. ... Emergency care should be sought for respiratory illnesses if people experience the following:
‘Innovative opportunities’ exist in growing need for trauma-informed bereavement care
03/13/25 at 03:00 AM‘Innovative opportunities’ exist in growing need for trauma-informed bereavement care Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 3/11/25 Hospices may be seeing a growing need for trauma-informed bereavement services on the horizon. Shaping their grief support programs with this trend in mind will be pivotal to hospices’ ability to expand the depth and reach of their services. This is according to Chloe Bishop, bereavement and social work supervisor at Maryland-based Frederick Health Hospice. The community-based nonprofit provides hospice and palliative care, as well as grief support and veterans programs.Editor's note: For expert, professional continuing education, certifications, conferences, resources, and certifications that encompass the wide scope of bereavement care (including trauma), examine ADEC - the international Association for Death Education and Counseling.
[Multi-cultural] Honouring traditions: Integrating cultural wisdom into palliative care – Saif Mohammed
03/13/25 at 03:00 AM[Multi-cultural] Honouring traditions: Integrating cultural wisdom into palliative care - Saif Mohammed ehospice; by Saif Mohammed; 3/10/25[Personal Story] ... "Reflecting on this experience, I realize that caregiving is deeply embedded in tradition and culture, a natural extension of communal life." Caregiving is as old as humanity itself. One of the earliest known cases of palliative care dates back 45,000 years to Shanidar 1, a Neanderthal male found in present-day Iraq. His skeletal remains indicated severe injuries, yet he had survived for decades, suggesting that his community had cared for him. This example highlights that palliative care is a deeply human and historical practice, far predating modern medicine. Cultures around the world continue to recognize the importance of caregiving, often embedding it in traditions and religious beliefs. ... In some societies, the emphasis on independence can make caregiving more complex, as patients may refuse assistance to maintain self-sufficiency. ... Palliative care workers must be equipped to understand and respect the cultural traditions of the communities they serve. This requires training in cultural competence, which involves:
How Houston Methodist’s ACO reduced its end-of-life spending by nearly 20%
03/13/25 at 03:00 AMHow Houston Methodist’s ACO reduced its end-of-life spending by nearly 20% MedCity News - Hospitals; by Katie Adams; March 10, 2025 Houston Methodist Coordinate Care is reducing costs through a partnership with Koda Health, a digital platform that guides patients through their end-of-life choices. Preliminary findings show the technology resulted in a 19% reduction in the total cost of care for patients at the end of their life, which equals nearly $9,000 in savings per patient. ... The ACO has been working with Koda Health for more than three years — and it is saving money by getting patients more involved in their end-of-life care plan.
Hospice of the Western Reserve within $5 million of Collinwood facility fundraising goal
03/13/25 at 02:30 AMHospice of the Western Reserve within $5 million of Collinwood facility fundraising goal Ideastream Public Media; by Stephen Langel; 3/11/25 The Hospice of the Western Reserve is on track to open a new 32-bed facility in Cleveland's Collinwood neighborhood in 2026. A recent gift brought the organization within nearly $5 million of its $25 million fundraising goal for the facility. The Elisabeth Severance Prentiss Foundation awarded the Hospice of the Western Reserve $3.6 million toward the new facility in early March. The gift brought fundraising totals to more than $20 million of its $25 million goal, with the campaign now transitioning into its public phase.
Children's Respite Homes of America aims to address the severe lack of children's respite and palliative care homes in the U.S.
03/13/25 at 02:00 AMChildren's Respite Homes of America aims to address the severe lack of children's respite and palliative care homes in the U.S. Cision PRWeb, Scottsdale, AZ; by Children's Respite Homes of America; 3/11/25 Twenty years ago, there were no dedicated children's respite and palliative care homes in the United States. Today, there are only a handful. By contrast, the United Kingdom—a country one-fifth the size of the U.S.—has developed a network of 54 children's respite and palliative care homes. Based on population, the U.S. would need over 250 similar homes to provide equitable access. The disparity leaves countless families without essential respite care, and Children's Respite Homes of America aims to change that. ... Cottor, who co-founded Ryan House in Phoenix, Arizona, alongside his wife Holly and with strong community support, established Children's Respite Homes of America with an ambitious but necessary goal: to develop 50 children's respite and palliative care homes in 50 cities within the next five years. ...
Today's Encouragement: You give but little when ...
03/12/25 at 03:00 AMYou give but little when you give your possessions. It is when you give yourself that you truly give. ~ Kahil Gibran
PBS documentary, Going Your Way, premieres nationally March 31
03/12/25 at 03:00 AMPBS documentary, Going Your Way, premieres nationally March 31 Nine PBS, St. Louis, MO; by Sarah Brandt; 3/11/25 A new documentary produced in St. Louis by Nine PBS, Going Your Way, will get a national premiere on PBS stations across the country on Monday, March 31. It will air locally at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. Central, following the network’s popular series Antiques Roadshow. The documentary debuted locally on Nine PBS in October 2024. Going Your Way focuses on the personal, medical and spiritual issues surrounding end-of-life care, the options available, and steps that can be taken to put those wishes to practical use. The documentary’s title highlights the active role many people are now taking to ensure their death goes according to their own plans and wishes. The film was produced with expert consultation from the Oasis Institute and features insights from health professionals in St. Louis, ... [and] personal stories of families dealing with these decisions and issues ...
21 large health systems growing bigger
03/12/25 at 03:00 AM21 large health systems growing bigger Becker's Hospital Review; by Alan Condon; 3/7/25 Merger and acquisition activity is rebounding after a drop in deal volume during the pandemic, with many large health systems growing their hospital portfolios or planning to add more hospitals in the coming quarters. Twenty-one large health systems growing bigger:
104-year-old WWII veteran honored for his service while in hospice
03/12/25 at 03:00 AM104-year-old WWII veteran honored for his service while in hospice WCCO via CNN Newsource, Cottage Grove, MN; by Reg Chapman; 3/9/25 A World War II veteran in Minnesota has the honor of being the oldest resident in his town. Even at his remarkable age, Don Tietz has not lost his wit or his humor. After he was drafted during World War II, Tietz found himself a long way from his hometown farm. Tietz served as a truck driver, hauling ammunition across America’s campaign into Europe. ... “We spearheaded across France,” he said. ... He also faced the true grim realities of war. ... “There was 212, only 12 of us came back,” he said. ... Tietz now represents a different era of grit and perseverance. Surrounded by friends and family, the Allina Health Hospice Team showed their gratitude to Tietz for his service by giving him a heartfelt ceremony, where he was awarded a pin and certificate. Most importantly, Tietz was given an opportunity to reflect on all of those years.Editor's note: Click here for the We Honor Veterans Program developed by NHPCO (now the National Alliance for Care at Home) in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Mass General Brigham begins 2nd round of layoffs
03/12/25 at 03:00 AMMass General Brigham begins 2nd round of layoffs Becker's Hospital CFO Report; by Alan Condon; 3/10/25 The second of two rounds of layoffs at Mass General Brigham began March 10, with about 1,500 employees reportedly affected by the overall workforce reductions, according to The Boston Globe. The layoffs, the largest in the Somerville, Mass.-based health system's history, were announced in early February. The workforce cuts stem from "the same unrelenting pressures affecting many healthcare systems across the country," as the system faces a projected budget gap of $250 million within two years, a spokesperson told Becker's. Mass General Brigham, the largest health system in the state, said the layoffs primarily affect nonclinical and nonpatient-facing roles to "enhance efficiency, reduce costs and maximize support for front-line clinicians."
Research brief: Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans linked to use of inferior hospice care
03/12/25 at 03:00 AMResearch brief: Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans linked to use of inferior hospice carePenn LDI - Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics; 3/11/25 Beneficiaries of Medicare Advantage special needs plans are significantly more likely to use lower-quality hospices than beneficiaries of other Medicare plans. These disparities may result from the geographic availability of high-quality hospices or the referrals that beneficiaries receive from their plans’ contracted hospitals and nursing homes. The results support incentivizing referrals to high-quality hospices and improving consumer information about hospice quality.
My Stories program preserves cherished memories of patients in hospice
03/12/25 at 03:00 AMMy Stories program preserves cherished memories of patients in hospice The Alpena News, Alpena, MI; by Reagan Voetberg; 3/8/25 The Hospice of Michigan in Alpena preserves the stories of patients, not in a book or photo album, but on a flashdrive. It’s called the My Stories program. Patients in hospice are given the opportunity to video record their stories and memories for their loved ones to hear once they’ve passed. Patients do not have to pay a dime to record their life stories. Alpena’s Hospice of Michigan Volunteer Program Coordinator Kristie Lukes talked about how meaningful the My Stories project is to patients and their families. Lukes coordinates volunteers to help patients with their recordings. Lukes explained further what My Stories is. “It’s a recording of the patient’s life and the stories that they want to share with family and patients,” she said. “So it becomes kind of a legacy project.”
[Ukraine] ‘Support to the end’: Religious sister brings palliative care to unborn babies in Ukraine
03/12/25 at 03:00 AM[Ukraine] 'Support to the end’: Religious sister brings palliative care to unborn babies in Ukraine The Catholic World; by Hannah Brockhaus; 3/10/25 Since 2020, a pandemic and then an active war have caused untold tragedy for Ukrainians, but these circumstances have also allowed the country to confront death and grief in a way it never did before, according to a religious sister who offers palliative care to unborn children and their families. In Ukraine, “one couldn’t and wouldn’t talk about death before the COVID pandemic,” Sister Giustina Olha Holubets, SSMI, told CNA earlier this month. The more open a society is about death and loss and grief, she said, the easier it is to know how to respond to a family going through the pain of losing a child in the womb or shortly after birth. A Byzantine Catholic and member of the Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate, Holubets has degrees in bioethics, psychology, biology, and genetics. In 2017, she founded the nonprofit organization “Perinatal Hospice – Imprint of Life” in Lyiv, Ukraine, which she currently leads. ...
El Paso doctor pays close to $500K to settle allegations of hospice healthcare fraud
03/12/25 at 03:00 AMEl Paso doctor pays close to $500K to settle allegations of hospice healthcare fraud CBS 4 News, El Paso, TX; by David Ibave; 3/10/25 A doctor in El Paso agreed to pay almost half a million dollars on Monday to settle allegations that he was paid off by a hospice center to commit healthcare fraud back in 2021. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, John Patterson M.D. has agreed to pay the United States $468,626 to resolve allegations that he received kickback payments from Nursemind Home Care Inc. to certify patients for hospice care when they were not eligible for these services, submitting false claims to federal healthcare programs.
CMS deletes Medicare Advantage vision statement, signaling another shift from health equity
03/12/25 at 03:00 AMCMS deletes Medicare Advantage vision statement, signaling another shift from health equity Fierce Healthcare - Regulatory; by Noah Tong; 3/10/25 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) wiped away the agency’s stated intentions for the future of Medicare Advantage (MA), underlining new uncertainty for the future of health-related social needs, CMS Innovation Center models and the federal health program. ... A frequently asked questions page gave further explanation, as did an executive summary of a report to be released in early 2025. The page included a section with the question, “What is CMS’ vision for the future of the MA program?” as of Feb. 22, archived versions of the web page shows. But that question and answer was quietly deleted, and the page was last modified Feb. 26. It previously described how the VBID model helped health plans address health-related social needs and stressed health equity as an important cornerstone of its mission. ... The CMS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Partners In Care hosts A Year to Live book discussion group starting April 5
03/12/25 at 03:00 AMPartners In Care hosts A Year to Live book discussion group starting April 5 Cascasde Business News; by CBN; 3/11/25 The Bereavement Department in conjunction with leadership at Partners In Care is hosting a community group to explore messaging in Stephen Levine’s book A Year to Live through a series of monthly sessions in 2025 and early 2026. In A Year to Live, Stephen Levine, author of the perennial bestseller Who Dies? teaches us how to live each moment, each hour, and each day mindfully—as if it were all that was left. On his deathbed, Socrates exhorted his followers to practice dying as the highest form of wisdom. Levine decided to live this way himself for an entire year, and now he shares with us how such immediacy radically changes our view of the world and forces us to examine our priorities.
Q&A: Nursing and the integration of technology at HIMSS25
03/12/25 at 03:00 AMQ&A: Nursing and the integration of technology at HIMSS25 mobihealthnews; by Anthony Vecchione; 3/10/25 Lavonia Thomas, nursing informatics officer at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, sat down with MobiHealthNews at the HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition in Las Vegas last week to discuss how nurses are implementing digital tools that help improve patient care. ... [Thomas:] "We are having some great success in nurses' engagement and their feeling of being highly engaged. A nurse is not going to tell you, "I love the electronic health record" or certain things about technology. What is important is that they feel that they are heard, that their feedback is taken into the design and development and that their workflows are assessed." ...
Nursing students gain valuable insights into global palliative care and cultural perspectives
03/12/25 at 02:00 AMNursing students gain valuable insights into global palliative care and cultural perspectives UConn Today, University of Connecticut; by Grace Fontanarosa; 3/11/25 School of Nursing assistant clinical professor Amisha Parekh de Campos, Ph.D., MPH, RN, CHPN, along with senior nursing students Gillian Fulton ’25 (NUR) and Abigail Schwartz ’25 (NUR) recently returned from the End-of-Life Experiential Global Learning (EGL) spring program in Belgium. ... In such an intensive program, there is much to process. Parekh de Campos and her students regularly debriefed to address questions and embrace openness to other cultural beliefs and perspectives. “Going in, we were very focused on the medical aspect of palliative care, and this program shifted our focus to the psychosocial aspects of end of life,” say Fulton and Schwartz.
Intervention increases palliative cancer care consultations/lowers EOL care
03/12/25 at 02:00 AMIntervention increases palliative cancer care consultations/lowers EOL care CancerNetwork.com; by Roman Fabbricatore; 3/11/25A palliative care (PC) intervention combining algorithm-based automated identification of patients eligible for PC led to an increase in PC visits and a decrease in end-of-life systemic therapy among patients with cancer, according to a randomized clinical study (NCT05590962) published in JAMA Network Open. ... "... Prior efficacy trials in oncology have tested early PC in controlled, primarily academic settings.2To our knowledge, this is the first effectiveness randomized clinical trial of algorithm-driven default specialty PC in community oncology.”
The rising importance of social workers on the home health team
03/12/25 at 02:00 AMThe rising importance of social workers on the home health team Home Health Care News; by Audrie Martin; 3/10/25 Addressing social determinants of health (SDoH) is becoming increasingly important due to new regulations from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the shift toward value-based care payment models. With ongoing staffing shortages and a growing demand for home-based care services, social workers are taking on greater responsibilities to support the health care system. ... Individuals requiring home health care often need complex support that addresses both their medical and psychosocial needs, especially if they are isolated from typical social interactions and services. Some home care teams are now integrating home health social workers (HHCSWs) to provide a comprehensive approach to care that considers these SDoHs.Ediotor's note: March is National Social Work Month. Click here for National Association of Social Worker's (NASW) Social Media Toolkit for Social Work 2025.
Hallucinogens may elevate death risk by more than twofold
03/11/25 at 03:00 AMHallucinogens may elevate death risk by more than twofold Medscape; by Liz Scherer; 3/5/25 Hallucinogens are associated with a 2.6-fold increased risk for premature death in some individuals seeking emergency care, according to a recent study. The risks are especially substantial in vulnerable patients who are suicidal, who are susceptible to severe mental illness, or have comorbid conditions such as respiratory disease or cancer. The findings come at a time of renewed interest in the therapeutic potential of substances like psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), and ketamine for mood and substance use disorders. In 2023, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research allocated roughly $3 million to three clinical trials examining psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in the treatment of alcohol use disorder, treatment-resistant depression, and end-of-life psychological distress in patients with advanced cancer.