Literature Review



Compassus, Providence JV gains ground after concerns

03/31/25 at 03:00 AM

Compassus, Providence JV gains ground after concerns Home Health Care News; by Audrie Martin; 3/28/25 In February, Providence, a not-for-profit health system serving the Western U.S., and Compassus, a national provider of integrated home-based care services, completed the first phase of a joint venture (JV) focused on home health, hospice and community-based palliative care. However, Providence employees expressed concerns regarding cost-cutting measures and staffing issues. Specifically, critics of the JV voiced concerns that the deal would result in cost-cutting measures, increased staff workloads and reduced patient services. Compassus senior vice president and chief marketing and communications officer, Kathleen Winn, told Home Health Care News that partnerships like Compassus’s JV with Providence greatly benefit hospitals and health systems by allowing patients to move from an inpatient environment to home-based care and avoiding readmissions through careful monitoring. [Continue reading ...] 

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Palliative care in home health: Misconceptions and market opportunities

03/31/25 at 03:00 AM

Palliative care in home health: Misconceptions and market opportunities Home Health Care News; by Joyce Famakinwa; 3/28/25 While palliative care remains an uncommon offering among home-based health care providers, forward-thinking providers have recognized a growing market demand and are strategically expanding their service offerings to include palliative care solutions. Expanding service lines to include palliative care can help home-based care providers stand out from their peers, industry insiders told Home Health Care News. However, a significant knowledge gap is slowing the adoption of palliative care within the home health community. Home health care clinicians, patients and caregivers all report insufficient knowledge of palliative care, according to a recent study conducted by Columbia Nursing research and published in the Journal Home Healthcare Now. [Continue reading ...]

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[Palmetto] Home Health and Hospice Coalition Meeting Minutes: February 24, 2025

03/31/25 at 03:00 AM

[Palmetto] Home Health and Hospice Coalition Meeting Minutes: February 24, 2025Palmetto GBA press release; 3/27/25The February 24, 2025, Home Health and Hospice Coalition Meeting Minutes are now available. Please review this information and share it with your staff.

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Hospital workers share 26 deathbed regrets they’ve heard that changed their lives

03/31/25 at 02:00 AM

Hospital workers share 26 deathbed regrets they’ve heard that changed their lives Boredpanda; by Ruta Zumbrickaite; 3/28/25 While painful, regret can also be a motivator for learning and growth, encouraging us to avoid repeating past mistakes and make better decisions in the future. We guess that’s why self-help author Debbie Ford once said, “Pain can be our greatest teacher.” Someone on the web asked hospital workers, “What regrets do you hear from dying patients?”, and folks who’ve been there in people’s last moments shared the words that hit them the hardest. Here’s a list of some of their most profound responses.  

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Hosparus celebrates social workers' impact on healing

03/31/25 at 02:00 AM

Hosparus celebrates social workers' impact on healingCorydon Democrat; 3/26/25 Hosparus Health Southern Indiana offers comprehensive grief support services to help individuals heal from loss in a caring and understanding environment. While recognizing National Social Work Month, Hosparus celebrates the compassionate guidance of its social workers and grief counselors who support individuals and families during their most difficult moments. Editor's note: Today's the last day of March as Social Worker month. You still have time to thank your all-important social workers. For more, see our post Social Media Toolkit for Social Work Month 2025. And, appreciation and recognition is not limited to the month of March. It needs to be alive and well all year long. 

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Evaluation of the Medicare Advantage Value-Based Insurance Design model test: 2020 to 2023

03/31/25 at 02:00 AM

Evaluation of the Medicare Advantage Value-Based Insurance Design model test: 2020 to 2023  RAND Health Care, prepared for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation Under Research, Measurement, Assessment, Design, and Analysis Contract Number 75FCMC19D0093, Order Number 75FCMC20F0001; by Christine Eibner, Dmitry Khodyakov, Erin A. Taylor, Denis Agniel, Rebecca Anhang Price, Julia Bandini, Marika Booth, Lane F. Burgette, Christine Buttorff, Catherine C. Cohen, Stephanie Dellva, Michael Dworsky, Natalie C. Ernecoff, Alice Y. Kim, Julie Lai, Monique Martineau, Nabeel Qureshi, Afshin Rastegar, Max Rubinstein, Daniel Schwam, Joan M. Teno, Anagha Tolpadi, Shiyuan Zhang; March 2025 This report presents RAND researchers’ findings from their evaluation of the Medicare Advantage (MA) Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) Model test for 2020 through 2023, initiated by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (Innovation Center). The VBID Model allows participating MA parent organizations (POs) to offer supplemental benefits, financial and nonfinancial incentives to beneficiaries, hospice benefits (the Medicare Hospice Benefit, Palliative Care, Transitional Concurrent Care, and Hospice Supplemental Benefits), and Wellness and Health Care Planning through their MA plans.

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Disparities in end-of-life symptom burden linked to complex interplay among wealth, health, and social support

03/30/25 at 03:55 AM

Disparities in end-of-life symptom burden linked to complex interplay among wealth, health, and social supportJAMA Network Open; by Peter A. Boling; 3/25On average, US health care spending in the last year of life alone was $80,000, with 12% ($9,500) being out of pocket and mostly incurred before the final 6 months. This problem worsened in the past decade when the nonspecific diagnosis of failure to thrive was removed as a condition eligible for hospice care and more stringent definitions were applied for dementia, which became the next bubble as the hospice balloon was squeezed. Hospice care is a means of reducing symptom burden, but the Medicare payment model discourages prolonged enrollment during slowly progressing advanced chronic illness and effectively limits funding of social support during hospice care, which is particularly problematic for patients with cognitive and functional impairment and for their friends and families. Considering suffering as a medical condition warranting treatment rather than a social problem requiring support services might help with the evolution of a Medicare policy that might provide a more graduated approach to end-of-life care.

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Medical interpreters’ experiences with patients who are near end-of-life and their family members

03/30/25 at 03:50 AM

Medical interpreters’ experiences with patients who are near end-of-life and their family membersJournal of Pain and Symptom Management; by Joycelyn Howard, Alexia M. Torke, Susan E. Hickman, Greg Sachs, Sylk Sotto-Santiago, James E. Slaven, Denise Robinson; 3/25In 2019 the United States Census Bureau reported 8% of the United States Population “speak English less than very well”. Ensuring individuals with a non-English language preference (NELP), previously referred to as limited English proficiency, have equitable access to healthcare includes providing high quality interpreter services. Although self-efficacy for interpreting EOL [end of life]conversations is generally high, interpreters desire education about EOL care. Interventions are also needed to address the high emotional toll of interpreting EOL conversations. Education and training about EOL care may help them to not only convey information accurately but also cope with emotional nuances characteristic of these significant conversations, ultimately elevating the quality of care for patients and family members in vulnerable and important moments.

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Daughter embraces mom’s hospice journey

03/30/25 at 03:45 AM

Daughter embraces mom’s hospice journey City Sun Times, Phoenix, AZ; by Lin Sue Flood; 3/25/25 As a nurse, Robin Benton is used to caring for people who are ill. But it’s different when your mother is the one who is sick. Her mom, Charlotte Brewer, a former nurse herself, has multiple myeloma, a rare type of blood cancer. In March 2024, the 80-year-old Valley resident decided to stop curative treatments in favor of comfort care with Hospice of the Valley, where she worked for over 10 years, before retiring in 2007. ... Charlotte’s Hospice of the Valley nurse, Kelly Langston, admires the way the family is living this stage of life with great intention, creating new ways to deepen their love for each other. “They came up with an idea for a hug shirt,” shared Kelly. “Everyone in the family painted their arms then took turns hugging each other — stamping an imprint of encircled arms on the shirts. It’s a way to feel each other’s hugs even when they aren’t together.” [Continue reading ...]

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Medicare and 24-hour in-home hospice care​: Is it covered?

03/30/25 at 03:40 AM

Medicare and 24-hour in-home hospice care​: Is it covered?Healthline; Medically reviewed by Shilpa Amin, MD, CAQ, FAAFP and written by Mandy French; 3/25/25... Medicare offers hospice coverage for beneficiaries. However, there are certain eligibilities and guidelines that they must meet. ...

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National Alliance’s Scott Levy: Hospices need ‘regulatory relief’ to protect ‘sacred benefit’

03/30/25 at 03:35 AM

National Alliance’s Scott Levy: Hospices need ‘regulatory relief’ to protect ‘sacred benefit’ Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 3/21/25 The hospice industry is undergoing a transformative period of rising demand and regulatory changes. Providers of all sizes and types are facing mounting operational challenges and financial strains with limited recourse to voice their collective concerns to legislators. This is according to Scott Levy, chief government affairs officer at National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance). Levy stepped into the role earlier this year after holding a similar position at Amedisys. He has been involved in government relations, public policy, advocacy and law for more than 20 years. Levy recently sat down with Hospice News to discuss the array of regulatory and legislative evolutions on the horizon in hospice care delivery.  .[Continue reading ...]

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[Austria] Influence of prior knowledge and experience on willingness to pay for home hospice services: a contingent valuation study

03/30/25 at 03:30 AM

[Austria] Influence of prior knowledge and experience on willingness to pay for home hospice services: a contingent valuation study International Journal of Health Economics and Management; Caroline Steigenberger, Andrea M Leiter, Uwe Siebert, Claudia Schusterschitz, Magdalena Flatscher-Thoeni; 3/25/25 Home hospice services contribute to dying in dignity by addressing medical and social needs at the end of life. ... We aim to quantify the benefits of home hospice services to society using society's monetary valuation and examine the influence of prior knowledge and experience on willingness to pay for home hospice services. A nationwide cross-sectional contingent valuation study was conducted in Austria. ... The two-part regression analysis showed a statistically significant positive impact on the probability of having a positive willingness to pay by prior knowledge of home hospice services, prior donations, and the wish of not dying alone. [Continue reading ...]Editor's note: Pair this research from Austria with today's USA post, "Medicare and 24-hour in-home hospice care: Is it covered?" Too often, we take for granted our Hospice Medicare payment system. Some choose to misuse it in ways that lead to fraud. This research reinforces openess to hospice services per "prior knowledge of home hospice services, prior donations, and the wish of not dying alone."

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CMS will not resume implementation of Hospice SFP in 2025

03/30/25 at 03:25 AM

CMS will not resume implementation of Hospice SFP in 2025 Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 3/25/25 A federal court has ordered a stay on litigation intended to block the hospice Special Focus Program (SFP) after the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) pledged that it would not resume implementation during 2025. The crux of a lawsuit filed by hospice organizations against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the criteria that the agency uses to select hospices for the new Special Focus Program (SFP). [Continue reading ...]

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Hospice Care and Community Center, Cleveland: First look

03/30/25 at 03:20 AM

Hospice Care and Community Center, Cleveland: First look Healthcare Design; by Tracey Walker; 3/24/25 Hospice of the Western Reserve (Cleveland), a provider of end-of-life palliative care, caregiver support, and bereavement services, chose a lakefront setting for its new Hospice Care and Community Center. Scheduled to open in 2025, the center will provide critical services, create a more efficient care environment, and support the evolving healthcare needs of Northern Ohio. Designed by architecture and interior design firm E4H Environments for Health Architecture (Williston Vt.), the facility will replace the existing Hospice House on the adjacent property, which has served the community for nearly 30 years. [Continue reading for "Interior design strategies" ...]

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Community health workers and technology interventions' impact on palliative support globally

03/30/25 at 03:15 AM

Community health workers and technology interventions' impact on palliative support globally Journal of Palliative Medicine; by Alekhya Gunturi, Margarita Pertierra, Irma Elizabeth Huayanay Espinoza, Maya Kavita Ramachandran, Mpho Ratshikana Moloko, Karl A Lorenz; 3/20/25Background: Palliative care has the potential to relieve burdened global health systems but is in short supply in many low-resource settings. Community health workers (CHWs) and digital health tools/telephonic support have the potential to scale scarce palliative care resources and improve outcomes for seriously ill adults in home/community settings.  Conclusions: CHWs and digital health/telephony can improve quality of life, health care use, and caregiver support. Most research focuses on physical and psychological aspects of care instead of cultural aspects of care. Future research is needed to explore culturally tailored interventions in minority populations and low- and middle-income countries, as well as investigate emerging remote technologies to allow for scaling palliative care into home/community settings.Editor's note: Pair this with Hospice community responds to proposed DEA telehealth prescribing rule, posted 3/21/25.

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‘Disturbing’ outlook: Hospices’ top regulatory concerns in 2025

03/30/25 at 03:10 AM

‘Disturbing’ outlook: Hospices’ top regulatory concerns in 2025 Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 3/20/25 Telehealth policies and program integrity concerns represent two of the leading regulatory issues on hospices’ radar this year. Regulatory changes and increasing oversight were the second-most cited concerns among nearly a quarter (21%) of 112 hospice professionals who participated in this year’s Outlook Survey by Hospice News and Homecare Homebase. Challenges around staffing and improved public awareness also topped the list of providers’ concerns. This is the third piece of this three-part Hospice News series that explores the significant regulatory challenges facing hospice providers in 2025. 

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Social Media Watch 3/21/25

03/30/25 at 03:05 AM

Social Media Watch

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Today's Encouragement

03/30/25 at 03:00 AM

I share with you the agony of your grief, by Howard Thurman in "Meditations of the Heart"  I share with you the agony of your grief,  The anguish of your heart finds echo in my own...  This I do in quiet ways, that on your lonely path you may not walk alone.Click the link above to read the full poem.

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Sunday newsletters

03/30/25 at 03:00 AM

Sunday newsletters focus on headlines and top read stories of the last week (in order) - enjoy!

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Family Hospice welcomes Charles Hall as new Chief Executive Officer

03/30/25 at 03:00 AM

Family Hospice welcomes Charles Hall as new Chief Executive Officer EIN Presswire, Atlanta, GA; by BPR International; 3/11/25Family Hospice is pleased to announce the appointment of Charles (Charlie) Hall as its new Chief Executive Officer. With a distinguished career in healthcare leadership, Hall brings a wealth of experience in driving organizational growth, operational excellence, and strategic innovation to Family Hospice. “We are thrilled to welcome Charlie to Family Hospice,” said Mark Kimsey, chairman of the board and founder of Family Hospice. “His proven track record of leadership, team development, and strategic growth will be instrumental as we continue to expand our mission of providing compassionate, high-quality hospice care to the communities we serve.” "I  am honored to join Family Hospice and to work alongside such a skilled and dedicated team,” said Hall.  [Continue reading ...]

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Today's Encouragement

03/29/25 at 03:55 AM

Bitterness is like a cancer that enters the soul. ~ Sir Terry Waite

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Multidisciplinary clinician perceptions on utility of a machine learning tool (ALERT) to predict 6-month mortality and improve end-of-life outcomes for advanced cancer patients

03/29/25 at 03:30 AM

Multidisciplinary clinician perceptions on utility of a machine learning tool (ALERT) to predict 6-month mortality and improve end-of-life outcomes for advanced cancer patientsCancer Medicine; Nithya Krishnamurthy, Melanie Besculides, Ksenia Gorbenko, Melissa Mazor, Marsha Augustin, Jose Morillo, Marcos Vargas, Cardinale B. Smith; 3/25There are significant disparities in outcomes at the end-of-life (EOL) for minoritized patients with advanced cancer, with most dying without a documented serious illness conversation (SIC). This study aims to assess clinician perceptions of the utility and challenges of implementing a machine learning [ML] model (ALERT) to predict 6-month mortality among patients with advanced solid cancers to prompt timely SIC. Our study found that clinicians expressed widespread acceptability of ALERT and identified clear benefits, particularly in triggering earlier SIC and standardizing prognosis discussions across care teams. [Additionally,] a recent study found that ML prognostic models decreased use of aggressive chemotherapy at EOL and increased SIC frequency fourfold.

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Bioethics Artificial Intelligence Advisory (BAIA): An Agentic Artificial Intelligence (AI) framework for bioethical clinical decision support

03/29/25 at 03:25 AM

Bioethics Artificial Intelligence Advisory (BAIA): An Agentic Artificial Intelligence (AI) framework for bioethical clinical decision support Cureus; by Taposh P. Dutta Roy; 3/12/25 Healthcare professionals face complex ethical dilemmas in clinical settings in cases involving end-of-life care, informed consent, and surrogate decision-making. These nuanced situations often lead to moral distress among care providers. This paper introduces the Bioethics Artificial Intelligence Advisory (BAIA) framework, a novel and innovative approach that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to support clinical ethical decision-making. The BAIA framework integrates multiple bioethical approaches, including principlism, casuistry, and narrative ethics, with advanced AI capabilities to provide comprehensive decision support. 

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Ethics in patient preferences for artificial intelligence–drafted responses to electronic messages

03/29/25 at 03:20 AM

Ethics in patient preferences for artificial intelligence–drafted responses to electronic messagesJAMA Network Open; Joanna S. Cavalier, MD; Benjamin A. Goldstein, PhD; Vardit Ravitsky, PhD; Jean-Christophe Bélisle-Pipon, PhD; Armando Bedoya, MD, MMCi; Jennifer Maddocks, PT, MMCi; Sam Klotman, MPH; Matthew Roman, PT, MHA, MMCi; Jessica Sperling, PhD; Chun Xu, MB; Eric G. Poon, MD, MPH; Anand Chowdhury, MD, MMCi; 3/25The rise of electronic communication sent to clinicians via the patient portal has directly led to clinician burnout and dissatisfaction. With patients increasingly messaging their clinicians, replying to in-basket messages (akin to email) has become a burdensome task consisting of medical questions, refill requests, and administrative and scheduling requests. This survey study of 1,455 respondents showed that while overall satisfaction was high (>75%) regardless of author, respondents preferred responses written by AI [artificial intelligence] over those written by a human ... However, when an AI author was disclosed, satisfaction was lower for AI compared with a human author ... Meaning: Reduced satisfaction due to AI disclosure should be balanced with the importance of patient autonomy and empowerment.

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Children as living solid organ donors: Ethical discussion and model hospital policy statement

03/29/25 at 03:15 AM

Children as living solid organ donors: Ethical discussion and model hospital policy statementThe Journal of Clinical Ethics; Gyan C. Moorthy, Aidan P. Crowley, and Sandra Amaral' Spring 2025In recent years, more attention has been paid to living donation as a means to reduce the suffering of individuals with end-stage kidney or liver disease. Implicated ethical issues include medical risk and risk of coercion, counterbalanced by improved medical outcomes and the benefits of saving a life. Living donation becomes particularly ethically complicated with the prospect of child donation, given the child’s developing autonomy and uniquely dependent status. We outline four broad ethical considerations pertinent to living child organ donation: (1) beneficence, (2) respect for the family as a moral unit, (3) respect for the child as a person, and (4) justice. We conclude that it can be ethical for a healthy child to donate a kidney or liver lobe to a close relative who has exhausted other options provided that certain protections are put into place.

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