Literature Review

Perceived value of transfusion access and hospice services among patients with blood cancersJAMA Network Open; by Hari S. Raman, Angel M. Cronin, Scott F. Huntington, Hajime Uno, Caitlin Brennan, Susan Lysaght Hurley, Anna Tidswell, Richard M. Kaufman, Sarah M. Lanahan,  Kimberly S. Johnson, James A. Tulsky, Gregory A. Abel, Oreofe O. Odejide; 11/25In this survey study, our analysis suggests that for many patients with advanced hematologic cancers, the ability to maintain access to blood transfusions is the primary factor in deciding whether to enroll in hospice. Given that the majority of hospices in the US do not provide transfusion access, patients with blood cancers are faced with the impossible choice of preserving access to palliative transfusions vs accessing quality home-based hospice care. This dichotomy between transfusion access and hospice care may contribute to the low rate of hospice use in this population. Our findings underscore the need to develop and test novel hospice delivery models that combine palliative transfusions with routine hospice services to effectively alleviate discomfort and optimize the QOL [quality of life] of patients with blood cancers near the EOL [end of life].Assistant Editor's note: In the calendar year 2024 data from Medicare Hospice claims indicate that only 3.0% of beneficiaries had a blood cancer diagnosis, per Hospice Analytics. This article suggests some great ideas about how hospice can address the expense of blood transfusions with CMS. But until that happens, hospices could consider approaching their local transfusion center about a contract for a reduced price for blood transfusions for patients in need. Ultimately, this will benefit the hospice, the transfusion center (potentially more patients), and most importantly, the patient.

Evaluating the impact of the End-of-Life Nursing Consortium Curricula: A systematic review of assessments and outcomesJournal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing; by Olga Ehrlich, Theresa Jizba, Mariela Hristova, Christine S Davidson, Dennis C Powless, Toni L Glover; 12/25The End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) curricula prepare nurses to provide high-quality, evidence-based palliative care to patients with serious illness and their families. The original ELNEC program has been adapted to include nursing subspecialties and online learning modules, reaching nurses and students worldwide. This systematic literature review described the outcomes of nursing knowledge, attitudes, practice changes, and patient outcomes in studies that used ELNEC as a primary intervention. The findings revealed significant enhancements in knowledge of palliative care among nursing students and nurses, as well as a notable positive shift in attitudes toward caring for seriously ill and dying patients. However, findings also indicate a need for studies that apply rigorous methods using valid and reliable assessment instruments aligned with nursing competencies.

[UK] 'It’s like a weight lifted off your shoulders’: A qualitative study of adult carers taking a breakJournal of Family Issues; by Richard Meade, Debbie Cavers, Neneh Rowa-DewarView; 11/25Unpaid carers play a vital role in supporting individuals with life-limiting conditions, yet without adequate support, they risk poor health and burnout. Ten in-depth interviews were conducted with carers who had used temporary institutional respite services in Scotland. Six key themes emerged: ‘Caring is all-consuming’; ‘Caring changes sense of self’; ‘Relief, recovery, repair’; ‘Breaks give carers their lives back (briefly)’; ‘A break doesn’t solve everything’; and ‘Trust in the respite centre is crucial’. Findings indicate that institutional respite care provides overwhelmingly positive experiences for most carers, offering them essential relief and recovery from the demanding nature of caregiving. However, the benefits were often short-lived, with carers expressing a need for longer and more frequent breaks.

Illinois is newest state to allow medical assistance in dying after Pritzker signs bill CBS News, Chicago; by Sara Tenenbaum and Charlie De Mar; 12/12/25, 11:02 am CST Gov. JB Pritzker signed a new law Friday making Illinois the newest state allowing medically assisted dying in terminally ill residents. Known as "Deb's Lawn," allows eligible terminally ill adults with a prognosis to live six months or less to request a prescription from their doctor that would allow them to die on their own terms. The legislation was narrowly approve by the Illinois Senate in October after the Illinois House passed it in May. People on both sides of the debate over the controversial legislation lobbied the governor up until the last minute. Medical aid in dying, also called assisted suicide or dying with dignity, is already legal in 12 states. Eight more are considering similar legislation. Pritzker's signature makes Illinois the first state in the Midwest to allow medically assisted death.

I asked 6 executives which books have shaped their leadership Business Insider; by Ana Altchek; 12/3/25 Last month, I asked six executives from Big Tech companies like AWS, to financial firms like Mastercard, and style brands like Revlon and Mejuri, about the books that have influenced their leadership style. Their responses included management staples, like "Extreme Ownership: How US Navy Seals Lead,"  and books focused on soft skills, such as "Emotional Intelligence" or "Quiet."

Award-winning documentary chronicles hospice nurse’s final 39 days Hospice Foundation of America (HFA) and TGBeyond, Washington, DC; Press Release; 12/1/25Hospice Foundation of America (HFA) and TGBeyond today announced the release of A Butterfly Has Been Released, an award-winning short documentary, alongside a new professional continuing education program, From Caregiver to Patient: Hospice Nurse Allyson’s Final 39 Days. Pre-purchase is available now, with formal release in January 2026. The 36-minute film follows Allyson, a hospice nurse with more than 20 years of experience guiding patients and families through death and grief, as she navigates her own final 39 days after a life-limiting diagnosis. Through candid kitchen-table conversations, a 150-person living funeral, and a natural green burial, Allyson demonstrates what she spent decades teaching others: live with purpose, presence, and connection until the very last day.Editor's Note: Is the concept of a "living funeral" new to you? I've seen this moving film several times, with a group discussion among healthcare professionals led by its producers Jason Zamer and Barry Koch. Click here for its 2-minute trailer.

5 leadership trends that could shape 2026 Forbes; by Sally Percy; 12/8/25 ... [Given] the rapid pace of change, how should leaders prepare for the year ahead? Here are five key trends they should be aware of – leadership trends that could shape 2026:

[United Kingdom] Oakhaven Hospice's Santa Dash raises more than £30,000Daily Echo, United Kingdom; by Deb Gayen; 2/9/25 More than 1,160 Santas braved the rain for this year's Oakhaven Santa Dash. The festive 3km fun run through Lymington's streets took place on Sunday, December 7. Oakhaven Hospice's fundraiser has already brought in more than £30,000, with more sponsorships still being added. 

The ethical challenge of negative compassion: How excessive empathy in end-of-life care affects decision-making and patient autonomy Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing; by Victoria Pérez-Rugosa, Gina Lladó-Jordan, Pablo de Lorena-Quintal, Esther Domínguez-Valdés, Antonia Rodríguez-Rodríguez, Carmen Sarabia-Cobo; 12/11/25 Online ahead of print ... 3 key themes emerged: decision paralysis and emotional overload, conflicts between personal beliefs and professional responsibilities, and institutional barriers to ethical practice. Findings reveal that excessive emotional involvement can hinder the implementation of patients' documented wishes, potentially compromising patient autonomy and increasing caregiver distress. The study highlights the need for institutional policies that support emotional resilience, structured debriefing, and ethics training. ... These insights are highly relevant for palliative nursing practice, offering guidance for supporting staff and upholding patient-centered care in end-of-life settings.

Court approves Justice Department’s settlement in UnitedHealth Group and Amedisys merger Office of Public Affairs, U.S. Department of Justice; Press Release; 12/10/25 The settlement requires the largest divestiture of outpatient healthcare services to resolve a merger challenge (by number of facilities) and imposes a $1.1M civil penalty for false certification. The United States District Court for the District of Maryland today [12/10/25] entered the Final Judgment proposed by the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division, together with its state co-Plaintiffs, requiring broad divestitures to resolve Plaintiffs’ challenge to UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s (UnitedHealth) $3.3 billion acquisition of Amedisys Inc. In addition, Amedisys must pay a $1.1 million civil penalty to the United States for falsely certifying that it had provided “true, correct, and complete” responses under the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. ... The settlement requires UnitedHealth and Amedisys to divest at least 164 home health and hospice locations (including one affiliated palliative care facility) across 19 states, accounting for approximately $528 million in annual revenue.

Local business’ Round-up Drive raises $10,000 for Hospice of Santa Barbara Noozhawk; by Wavecomm for Hospice of Santa Barbara; 12/9/25 Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) has completed the October Round-Up Campaign, hosted by the Santa Barbara Home Improvement Center, raising $10,000 for HSB. Over the course of the 33-day campaign, customers were invited to round up their purchases at checkout or make an additional donation, directly benefiting Hospice of Santa Barbara’s services.

VITAS Hospice Services faces serious data breach investigation Investors Hangout; by Evelyn Baker; 12/9/25 ... In a significant turn of events, VITAS Hospice Services, LLC, the largest for-profit hospice chain in the United States, is facing scrutiny due to a massive data breach. Recent investigations revealed that sensitive information of 319,177 patients was compromised, raising concerns over data security and patient privacy. As investigations continue, more details about the breach are emerging, prompting calls for accountability from the company.

Cadre Hospice welcomes Inspire Hospice & Palliative Care, advancing the vision for world-class end-of-life care PR.com, Nashville, TN; by Cadre Hospice; 12/9/25 Cadre Hospice announced today that Inspire Hospice & Palliative Care, a highly respected hospice provider serving Metro Atlanta and North Georgia, is joining the Cadre family. This alignment brings together two mission-driven organizations focused on world-class end-of-life care, trusted clinical leadership, and the belief that extraordinary care begins with extraordinary teams.