Literature Review

Hospice Sabbath Progressive Journal; by Hospice of Chesterfield County Foundation; 10/14/24 As you attend your place of worship the weekend of November 1-3, 2024, you may see a single white carnation displayed in a prominent location. Hospice of Chesterfield County Foundation has chosen the white carnation as a symbol for the observance of Hospice Sabbath. Churches are being asked to participate by displaying a white carnation in memory of all who have received Hospice services. ... These individuals were significant to their families and to our community. They were our neighbors, our co-workers, our friends, and our loved ones. ... In its simple elegance, the white carnation symbolizes the hope and dignity which Hospice helped to ensure for these individuals and for their families. In its fragile beauty, the carnation reminds us of the sacredness of life and the mystery of death. Hospice recognizes that endings are inevitable; yet, life is affirmed as persons are encouraged to live each moment to its greatest capacity.

Video: North Hawaii Hospice holds lantern floating ceremony Big Island Video News; 10/15/24 The annual floating lantern ceremony was held Sunday evening at the Fairmont Orchid. ... The event was organized by North Hawaii Hospice, ... “The goal is to honor and remember those who have passed, in a group setting,” said North Hawaiʻi Hospice executive director Faye Mitchell. “We get to share in our grief, but also in our joy about the people that we’ve loved and who are no longer with us.” ... “When people come, they have a lantern paper which they get to decorate and write messages for their loved ones. And then they put that lantern paper onto a base, and at sunset we helped them light a candle in that lantern. ... “I am an organizer of this event, but I am definitely also a participant,” Mitchell said. “I lost my son Geno in February of this year. He was 24 years old. I have to say, one of the key things I learned from the experience is that grief shouldn’t be kept to myself. ... There’s something about sharing your grief with others who know what it’s like. So that’s why I share it even now, with everyone watching, because if … you’ve lost someone you’re not alone, and if you share this experience with others you’d be surprised how many people have gone through this. It’s so much better not to be alone in this."

Exploding physician union membership signals a significant labor market shift NJToday.net; 10/16/24 As of 2022, about 70,000 medical doctors in the United States, or about 8% of the physician workforce, belonged to a union—a notable increase of 26.8% since 2014. This shift reflects significant changes in the employment landscape for doctors, with nearly half of all physicians now working for health systems or large medical groups. The rise in union membership comes amidst broader labor movements in healthcare, highlighted by the 2023 Kaiser Permanente strike, recognized as the largest healthcare worker strike in U.S. history. While nurses have typically led these efforts, physicians and residents are increasingly exploring unionization as a means to advocate for improved pay, benefits, and working conditions. 

Mass General Brigham tests drones for 'hospital at home': 6 things to know Becker's Health IT; by Giles Bruce; 10/15/24 Somerville, Mass.-based Mass General Brigham has tested out drone delivery for its hospital-at-home program. Here are six things to know:

4 trends in healthcare executive pay Becker's Hospital Review; by Kelly Gooch; 10/15/24 A 2024 survey conducted by SullivanCotter highlights a range of trends in healthcare executive pay, including a year-over-year jump in median base salaries. The consulting firm's "2024 Healthcare Management and Executive Compensation Survey" is based on data from more than 3,300 organizations representing nearly 45,110 executives and managers. Here are four trends from the survey, which was conducted from January to April:

How physicians can navigate ethical conflicts when caring for patients Physician's Weekly; 10/14/24 ... According to the president of The Physicians Foundation, Gary Price, MD, ethics in medical care are particularly complicated regarding end-of-life choices. While decades ago, a patient’s primary care provider (PCP) would have been involved in that patient’s hospitalized care and their end-of-life decisions within the hospital, the fragmented nature of today’s healthcare system has all but eliminated PCPs from involvement in hospitalized patient care. As such, patients often make end-of-life decisions based on the guidance of doctors with whom they have no pre-existing relationship. Other factors that blur ethical lines in healthcare, adds Dr. Price, are the new state of healthcare ownership and financing. Dr. Price mentions, for instance, conflicts of interest due to the US’s biggest employer of physicians, Optum, being a subsidiary of the same company that owns UnitedHealthcare. This situation allows for an insurer who controls reimbursement and who could, as the physician’s employer, influence decisions made regarding patient care. Sadly, this influence largely comes from financial concern instead of concern for the patient’s best health outcomes. 

What the heck is a PBM, and why does it matter? Forbes; by Web Golinkin; 10/14/24... [Pharmacy Benefit Managers] PBM BasicsUnless you are a healthcare industry insider—and even if you are— it’s difficult to understand exactly how PBMs work. While they are essentially invisible to the average health plan member, PBMs have a tremendous impact on which medications are covered, the prices paid for these medications, and how patients access them. Here’s a summary of key PBM functions: Formulary Management. ... Negotiating Discounts and Rebates. ... Pharmacy Network Management. ... Claims Processing. ... Clinical Management. ... How PBMs Influence Drug Costs: Rebate System. ... High Deductible Health Plans. ... Prior Authorization and Step Therapy. ... Spread Pricing. ... What Are the Alternatives? ...

Researchers raise concerns about the financial sector's rising role in US illness care Medical Xpress; by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc; 10/16/24 The authors of a new article in Journal of Palliative Medicine state that the "growing role of the financial sector in home health and hospice, a reflection of larger trends in U.S. health care, is concerning and has major implications for care quality unless reforms are undertaken." Co-authors Lauren Hunt, Ph.D., RN, FN, with the University of California, San Francisco, and R. Sean Morrison, MD, with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, observe that home health and hospice began as nonprofit organizations with close ties to their communities. However, the overwhelming majority are now for-profit entities, many of which have become targets for private equity buyouts. The authors note that "big business's emphasis on maximizing profit can be at odds with patient welfare. Indeed, a substantial body of evidence now demonstrates that care quality is consistently worse in for-profits as compared to nonprofits," they state. The authors further express concern that "pressure to achieve high returns on very short-term time horizons may conflict with the need for longer-term investments in quality, training, and staffing, thus reducing care quality.

Big Bend Hospice opens new community-built field office in Jefferson County Business Wire, Tallahassee, FL; by Big Bend Hospice; 10/15/24 Big Bend Hospice has opened a new field office in Jefferson County, located in the heart of Monticello’s historic district, replacing its previous location at 187 Walnut St. The new office, made possible by the Big Bend Hospice Jefferson County Advisory Council and the community’s dedicated fundraising efforts, will serve as the hub for Big Bend Hospice’s clinical staff and volunteers, who provide in-home patient care throughout Jefferson County. Built entirely through local donations over the past nine years, the project is a testament to the strength and commitment of the community. “This field office reflects the deep support Jefferson County has for hospice care,” said Michael Eurich, senior director of strategy, policy, and innovation at Big Bend Hospice.

Care utilization for neurodegenerative diseases compared to patients with cancer Physician's Weekly; 10/14/24 Neurodegenerative diseases are a leading cause of death, yet healthcare utilization and costs during the end-of-life (EoL) period are poorly understood.  Researchers conducted a retrospective study to describe and compare resource utilization among U.S. Medicare decedents with neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. ... The results showed 1,126,799 Medicare beneficiaries, of which 357,926 had a qualifying diagnosis. Individuals with neurodegenerative diseases were older and more frequently received Medicaid assistance than those with brain or pancreatic cancer. ... The study concluded that individuals with neurodegenerative diseases were more likely to visit ED and less likely to utilize inpatient and hospice services at the EoL compared to those with brain or pancreatic cancer. 

Death cafes: Demystifying the inevitable over tea and cookies MD edge - Internal Medicine News; by Megan Brooks; 10/15/24 “Death cafes” — where people gather to discuss death and dying over tea and cookies — have gained momentum in recent years offering a unique way for people to come together and discuss a topic that is often shrouded in discomfort and avoidance. It’s estimated that there are now about 18,900 death cafes in 90 countries, with the United States hosting more than 9300 on a regular basis. This trend reflects a growing desire to break the taboo surrounding discussions of death and dying. But these casual get-togethers may not be for everyone, and their potential benefits and harms may depend on who attends and who facilitates the discussion. ... [Click on the title's link to continue reading these significant cautions.]

Minnesota-based Saint Therese to acquire St. Mary of the Woods Senior Community in Avon, Ohio AP; by Barb Hemberger; 10/15/24 Continuing to build its footprint in the Midwest, Saint Therese, an aging care and services leader based in the Twin Cities, today announced it will acquire St. Mary of the Woods in Avon, Ohio, near Cleveland. The transition of ownership is expected to occur on December 1, 2024. This is the second acquisition for Saint Therese in two years and the second in the region, following the purchase last year of IHM Senior Living Community in Monroe, Michigan. ... Saint Therese at St. Odilia in Shoreview specializes in hospice and palliative care. Saint Therese is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) senior care organization.