Literature Review

From fear to empowerment: How palliative care can help University of Utah Huntsman Cancer Institute; 8/21/24 In 2018, Ruth Hill got out of bed one morning and felt her spine literally break. The 53-year-old collapsed to the floor. “I knew something catastrophic had happened,” Ruth says. She soon learned six of her vertebrae had cracked and two had exploded. The doctor at the hospital in Colorado Springs, where Ruth had been visiting her son and grandchildren, gave her even more devastating news. “You’re filled with cancer. It’s incurable,” he told her. “We’re going to take you upstairs and check your brain. If it’s in your brain, you won’t have long to live.” ... [Click on the title's link to continue reading this inspirational story.]

How to recognise the dying phase in palliative and end-of-life care Nursing Times; by Julie Kinley and Cathriona Sullivan; 8/19/24This article gives practical guidance for nurses on providing care in the last days of life. ... Birth and death are two certainties in life. Consequently, during their career, many nurses will support, and indeed lead, the management of the care of dying people. ... [Knowing] how to recognise – and manage – this phase of life remains a career-long key responsibility and role. ... In any setting, nurses are part of a wider team. The recognition of dying and the dying phase can be enhanced if everyone:

Hospice Insights Podcast - Stories of successful hospice leadership: The CEO and Chief Medical Officer relationship JD Supra; by Husch Blackwell; 8/21/24 A strong and engaged Chief Medical Officer (CMO) may be a hospice CEO’s most important asset. But what does a successful CEO/CMO relationship look like and how must it evolve to meet today’s challenges? In this episode we get to find out, as Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske is joined by HopeHealth CEO Diana Franchitto and Dr. Edward Martin, CMO, whose trusted relationship has been instrumental to the organization’s success and clinical expansion.

Today, do something that your future self will thank you for. ~ Anonymous

The importance of competencies in pain management and palliative care Greenwich Sentinel, Greenwich, CT; by Russell R. Barksdale, Jr.; 8/21/24 ... Competencies, ongoing pharmacological education, regular patient pain assessments, management, and medication adjustments are all crucial processes for healthcare providers in today’s complex medical environment. Regrettably, metabolic and behavioral issues related to pain medications, especially opioids, if not properly managed, poses risk of addiction. Beginning in the late 1990s, the consumption of medical opioids used to treat pain increased in many countries worldwide. Since that time, alarmingly the United States has outpaced every other country in per capita opioid consumption. ... [Click on the title's link to continue reading.]

Palliative care graduates undertake noble mission to impact lives of patients University of Maryland School of Pharmacy; by Andrew Tie; 8/20/24 The University of Maryland, Baltimore celebrated 43 graduates of the online Graduate Studies in Palliative Care in a summer ceremony at Pharmacy Hall on Aug. 9. Of the Class of 2024, 36 received their Master of Science degree and seven received a graduate certificate. Two members of the class completed a dual degree along with their Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree, which they received in May from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. ... The program attracts a diverse range of disciplines in health care, such as physicians, nurses, and chaplains.

Credit Unions of Maui raise $38,000 at annual golf tournament to benefit hospice Maui The Maui News; 8/21/24  The Credit Unions of Maui hosted their 9th Annual Charity Golf Tournamenton Aug. 10, 2024, at The Dunes at Maui Lani. This year’s annual event brought together 144 golfers and community supporters, resulting in a remarkable $38,000 raised to benefit Hospice Maui, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to providing compassionate end-of-life care for Maui residents. The tournament exceeded expectations, with participants enjoying a day of friendly competition, prizes, and philanthropy. The funds raised will directly support Hospice Maui’s mission to offer comprehensive hospice and palliative care, including medical services, emotional support, and grief counseling, to individuals and families in need.

Molina Healthcare of Ohio donates $125,000 to address shortage of home care and hospice nurses Business Wire; by Ben Jackey; 8/21/24 Molina Healthcare of Ohio ("Molina") awarded a $125,000 grant to the Center for Community Based Care (CCBC), the nonprofit foundation arm of the Ohio Council for Home Care & Hospice (OCHCH). The investment will fund efforts to address the shortage of nurses in home care and hospice settings and support a new hotline aiding Ohioans managing serious illnesses from home. ... "Molina believes all individuals should have access to high-quality care and our support of CCBC will help create greater capacity for Ohioans to receive care from home," said Ami Cole, plan president for Molina Healthcare of Ohio. "CCBC is reducing gaps in health equity and we are proud to invest in their work."

TCN podcast: The need to know on the 2025 Hospice Wage Index Telios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast hosted by Chris Comeaux; 8/21/24 In this episode of TCN Talks, Chris interviews Annette Kiser, Chief Compliance Officer with Teleios and Judi Lund Person, Principal with Lund Person & Associates LLC.  The conversation covers the need to know around the final published 2025 Wage Index for Hospices.  Some of the key points discussed are:

Kentwood senior living center closing after large fire damages campus buildings ABC 13, Kentwood, MI; by Mary Dupuis; 8/21/24 A Kentwood senior living center is closing after a fire heavily damaged one of the buildings on its campus, the center announced Wednesday. A fire broke out in the attic of the memory care building at American House Kentwood around 2:30 p.m. on Aug. 15 while a third-party HVAC company was doing maintenance work. Kentwood Deputy Fire Chief Mike Hipp said 12 residents had to be evacuated from the facility as large flames poured from the attic area. The Kentwood Fire Department said everyone inside American House Kentwood at the time of the fire made it out safely. The senior living community offers assisted living, memory care and hospice care for seniors. 

‘Lean into your superpowers’: Bayada COO champions women in home health leadership Home Health Care News; by Audrie Martin; 8/20/24 Heather Helle, president and chief operating officer of Bayada Home Health Care, believes that home-based care could benefit from having more women in leadership roles. Founded in 1975 and headquartered in Moorestown, New Jersey, Bayada provides in-home clinical care and support services for children and adults, including hospice, behavioral health, and rehabilitation in 21 states and five countries. ... In 2022, women accounted for approximately 80% of workers in health care occupations, a figure higher than the percentage of women in all other employment sectors, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. ... However, women are underrepresented in leadership roles, comprising only 25% of health care leadership positions in 2022. ... Gender equity is crucial for developing resilient health systems and gender-transformative health and social care policies, according to The World Health Organization. 

17 ways nonprofits can bolster their DEI efforts Forbes; by Dr. Ara J. Baghdasarian; 8/20/24 Nonprofits that hope to make a meaningful, lasting and widespread impact must take an intentional approach to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Doing so can help organizations better support the communities they serve while allowing diverse viewpoints to be heard and implemented. To that end, 17 members of Forbes Nonprofit Council share their top strategies for nonprofits looking to transform their DEI efforts. From understanding your target audience to emphasizing accountability, these approaches can ensure your organization's programs are accessible, inclusive and culturally sensitive.

Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union awards Home Health & Hospice Care $2,024 for National Nonprofit Day CUInsight, Lowell, MA; by Robin Lorenzen; 8/20/24 Home Health & Hospice Care was selected as the winner of Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union’s National Nonprofit Day campaign. The organization received a $2,024 donation as the winning prize. National Nonprofit Day was celebrated on Saturday, August 17. The campaign, which is part of Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union’s Small Acts That Give Back initiative, ran from July 15 through August 2. Community members nominated their favorite local 501(c) (3) nonprofits for the chance to win a $2,024 donation. ... “We’re absolutely thrilled to receive this generous donation from our friends at Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union; this support is crucial in supporting our Access To Care Programs,” remarked Paula J. Telage, Director of Corporate Giving at Home Health & Hospice Care.