Literature Review

New safeguards added to New York's proposed Medical Aid in Dying ActSpectrum News 1, by Luke Parsnow; 4/5/24The two architects behind New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act have amended added additional safeguards to the legislation in the hope it can soon become law. The act would allow terminally ill, mentally capable adults who have been given six months or less to live to take their own lives with a cocktail of pharmaceutical drugs.

Thinking outside the box: eco concerns prompt greener funeral options Positive.News, by Alison McClintock; 4/5/24 Keeping a lid on your carbon footprint doesn’t stop with your last breath. Your choice of funeral can have a significant environmental impact. In a recent report by the US-based National Funeral Directors Association, 60.5% of those surveyed expressed their interest in greener options including resomation (water cremation) human composting and natural burials.  And while the UK’s funeral preferences are currently split 80:20 between cremations and burials, YouGov research finds that almost a third (29%) of people in the UK would choose alternative committal methods if available. 

South Dakota State University Nursing School: Hitting the mark where it matters South Dakota State University, "A Message from Dean Krogh," by Mary Anne Krogh; 4/2/24As we welcome the blooming of spring (and the melting of snow), it brings me great joy to reflect on the remarkable achievements and growth within the SDSU College of Nursing. ... One area that fills me with pride is the remarkable expansion we have experienced in the areas of palliative care, rural health and simulation research. These vital areas not only represent the forefront of nursing innovation but also reflect our dedication to addressing critical health care needs in diverse communities. Editor's Note: Congratulations to South Dakota State University School and Dean Krogh! You are hitting the mark for several crucial, timely issues that continue to emerge in the news feeds we receive and distribute to our readers. 

How to talk about death Maine Public Radio, by Jennifer Rooks and Cindy Han; 4/5/24 Talking about death is not easy. We'll discuss why stigma and discomfort can impede end-of-life conversations, for the person who may be nearing death as well as for friends and family members. We'll find out how to address the emotional and spiritual aspects of dying. And we'll discuss the more practical legal, financial and medical matters to handle before and after someone has died.Panelists: Julie Weiss, social worker, Hospice of Southern Maine; Dr. Paul Segal, nephrologist, assistant professor of medicine; helped create curriculum for end-of-life doula students, University of New England; Dr. Fernando Moreno, palliative care specialist; medical director, Hospice of Southern Maine

Medicaid expansion and palliative care for advanced-stage liver cancer Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery; by Henrique A Lima, Parit Mavani, Muhammad Musaab Munir, Yutaka Endo, Selamawit Woldesenbet, Muhammad Muntazir Mehdi Khan, Karol Rawicz-Pruszyński, Usama Waqar, Erryk Katayama, Vivian Resende, Mujtaba Khalil, Timothy M Pawlik; dated 4/24/28 (for print) Conclusion: The implementation of ME [Medicaid expansion] contributed to increased rates of palliative treatment for patients residing in ME states after expansion. However, racial disparities persist even after ME, resulting in inequitable access to palliative care. 

Medicine—Both a Science (Care) and an Art (CARE) JAMA Network - Viewpoint; by Theodore J. Strange, MD and Mario R. Castellanos, MD; 4/3/24In the current era, health care is increasingly characterized by the integration of big data, predictive analytics, medical devices, and artificial intelligence. These technological advancements have undoubtedly transformed the landscape of medical care, offering unprecedented precision and efficiency in diagnosis and treatment. Yet, amidst this surge of scientific innovation, the timeless art of medicine (compassion and caring) remains a foundational aspect of patient-centered health care ... The acronym CARE (compassion, assistance, respect, and empathy) encapsulates these enduring values. ... In a world increasingly driven by data and algorithms, these qualities foster a trusting and supportive relationship between health care professionals and patients, thereby enhancing the healing process and enriching the overall health care experience.

World Hospice & Palliative Care Day: October 12, 2024 The Worldwide Hospice and Palliative Care Alliance; 4/6/2024World Hospice and Palliative Care Day [WHPCD] has been marked every year since 2005. Join us on Saturday 12 October 2024 to advocate for better hospice and palliative care services around the world. The WHPCD theme for 2024 is "Ten Year's since the Resolution: How are we doing?" ... Download a wealth of resources, including last year's toolkit ...

Ethical issues abound in adoption of Artificial Intelligence in cancer care Oncology Nurse Advisor; 4/4/24There may be ethical barriers to the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) into cancer care, according to a study published online March 28 in JAMA Network Open. Andrew Hantel, M.D., from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, and colleagues evaluated oncologists’ views on the ethical domains of the use of AI in clinical care. The analysis included 204 survey responses from 37 states. ... “These findings suggest that the implementation of AI in oncology must include rigorous assessments of its effect on care decisions as well as decisional responsibility when problems related to AI use arise,” the authors write.

Improved onboarding process could boost worker retentionMcKnights Senior Living, by Kathleen Steel Gaivin; 4/8/24As long-term care providers navigate post-pandemic workforce challenges, they also need to improve the onboarding process, according to the results of a new survey by Viventium. ... The study detailed in the company’s 2024 Caregiver Onboarding Experience Report solicited responses from 175 administrators and caregivers in skilled nursing, assisted living, independent living, home health, home care and hospice care in November and December. The survey, Viventium said, found a “shockingly low bar for what passes as a ‘good’ onboarding experience, with strong indications that raising that bar could correlate to higher retention rates.”Editor's Note: See the article in today's newsletter, "A day in the life: Hospice nurse" for the importance of onboarding hospice nurses to to differences between long-term care and hospice care.

USDA Rural Development accepting applications for grants to fund high-speed Internet and digital equipment for rural and tribal communitiesU.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, by Leigh Hallet; 4/4/24The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development invites grant applications for two programs that fund broadband access. The Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program helps organizations provide online training, education, and health services. It funds services, training, and equipment to digitally connect people to education, training, and health care resources.

Chicago area nurse gets 2 years in prison for stealing morphine from sick patientsCBS News TV 2, Chicago; by Acacia Hernandez; 4/4/24A northwest suburban nurse was sentenced in court on Thursday to two years in federal prison for stealing morphine from her patients, some of whom were terminally ill. Sarah Diamond, 31, of Woodstock, was accused of targeting the most vulnerable, including hospice patients living out their final days. In 2021, she removed liquid morphine from bottles that had been prescribed to at least five hospice patients and replaced it with saline. Prosecutors said she took the medication for her own personal use.

Medicare Program; FY 2025 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update, Hospice Conditions of Participation Updates, and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements Federal Register; A Proposed Rule by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on 4/4/24This document has a comment period that ends in 53 days, 5/28/24.This proposed rule would update the hospice wage index, payment rates, and aggregate cap amount for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025. This rule proposes changes to the Hospice Quality Reporting Program. This rule also proposes to adopt the most recent Office of Management and Budget statistical area delineations, which would change the hospice wage index. This rule proposes to clarify current policy related to the “election statement” and the “notice of election”, as well as to add clarifying language regarding hospice certification. Finally, this rulemaking solicits comments regarding potential implementation of a separate payment mechanism to account for high intensity palliative care services.