Literature Review
The hidden curriculum in medical school: What they don’t teach you
02/19/25 at 03:00 AMThe hidden curriculum in medical school: What they don’t teach you Medscape; by Roni Robbins; 2/14/25... For Krastein and other medical students, there’s a hidden curriculum in medical school: Unwritten, informal lessons, and values learned outside of formal academic settings that shape the culture of medicine, influence behavior, and how to approach patient care and professional relationships. ... These lessons may unfold in informal moments, conversations during rounds or with patients, observing faculty handling difficult cases, or seeing how peers and mentors navigate challenges. [Identified themes include the following:]
Today's Encouragement: There are two ways of exerting strength: One is ..., the other is ...
02/19/25 at 03:00 AMThere are two ways of exerting one’s strength: one is pushing down, the other is pulling up. ~ Booker T. WashingtonHonoring Black History Month 2025
New insights into older hearts
02/19/25 at 03:00 AMNew insights into older hearts The New York Times; by Paula Span; 2/15/25 It turns out that the Isley Brothers, who sang that 1966 Motown hit “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You),” were onto something when they linked age to an aching and flagging heart. Heart disease, the nation’s leading cause of death and disability, has been diagnosed in about 6 percent of Americans ages 45 to 64, but in more than 18 percent of those over 65, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ... [In] recent years, dramatic improvements in treatments for many kinds of cardiovascular conditions have helped reduce both heart attacks and cardiac deaths. ... That can complicate decision-making for heart patients in their 70s and beyond, however. Certain procedures or regimens may not markedly extend the lives of older patients or improve the quality of their remaining years, especially if they have already suffered heart attacks and are contending with other illnesses as well. “We don’t need to open an artery just because there’s an artery to be opened,” said Dr. Alexander, referring to inserting a stent. “We need to think of the whole person.” ...
The case for a 4-day workweek for nurse managers
02/19/25 at 03:00 AMThe case for a 4-day workweek for nurse managers Becker's Clinical Leadership; by Kelly Gooch: 2/18/25 Four-day workweeks lead to an improved work-life balance for nurse managers, nurse leaders at Philadelphia-based Fox Chase Cancer Center argue in a new paper shared with Becker's. "A 4-Day Workweek for Nurse Leaders: Unveiling the Lessons Learned" is based on a study conducted at the 100-bed specialty cancer center. The study aims to evaluate the influence of a four-day workweek on nurse leaders' perceptions of workload and job satisfaction. Results of the study were published Feb. 17, and included 24 care delivery units and 43 nursing directors, managers and assistant nurse managers.
St. Francis Hospice hosts Sweetheart Lunch for those grieving lost partners
02/18/25 at 03:20 AMSt. Francis Hospice hosts Sweetheart Lunch for those grieving lost partners Fox 23 News, Tulsa, OK; 2/14/25 St. Francis Hospice in partnership with Moore Fitzgerald Funeral Service hosted their Sweetheart Lunch to help those grieving a lost partner or spouse on Valentine's Day. "We're having a Valentine's Day party—we call it Sweetheart Lunch—for people that have lost a loved one during the past year, most often a spouse," explained Joseph Moore, the owner of Moore Fitzgerald Funeral Service. "Valentine's Day is such a difficult time for people that have recently lost a spouse. There are so many memories associated with Valentine's Day and so forth. We just want to provide a place where they'll feel loved and not alone today." Charlie Dodd, a bereavement coordinator with St. Francis Hospice, said events like this give people a sense of community during a difficult time.
YoloCares: Breaking barriers in medicine, advancing DEI
02/18/25 at 03:10 AMYoloCares: Breaking barriers in medicine, advancing DEI The Davis Enterprise; by Craig Dresang, Special to The Enterprise; 2/15/25 She is unassuming. She is a powerhouse. Her broad blissful smile can be disarming, but make no mistake, Jackie Clark RN, MBA, is a force of nature who knows how to get things done and how to lift people up in the process. The woman who California appointed as its first CEO for Correctional Healthcare Services, and now serves as the Board Chair for YoloCares, has some insight about the emerging challenges facing both healthcare and the country. Before her recent retirement, Clark oversaw the care of approximately 5,000 incarcerated patients annually, including one of the only hospice facilities in the country for incarcerated individuals. Clark expanded hospice care and developed a program for patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Recognizing the emotional impacts that an inmate’s death can have in the prison community, she also expanded an existing peer support training program to include preparing volunteers to aid hospice patients. ... Over time, Clark completely transformed the quality and delivery of healthcare in all of California’s 34 correctional facilities. ...
Witnessing a living funeral
02/18/25 at 03:10 AMWitnessing a living funeral Parkview Health; by Tim O'Sullivan, MA, Spiritual and Social Services Supervisor, Parkview Hospice; 2/16/25 ... Rather than planning services after they pass and miss out on a gathering of the people who are most precious to them, some are choosing to schedule a "funeral" while they are still living so they can be a part of the ceremony. These events are known as Living Funerals. As a hospice caregiver, I have seen a rise in the number of these pre-death celebrations of life. While this may not be for everyone, it can be a meaningful experience for those who have chosen to remember a life in this way. I was invited to one of these events and witnessed firsthand the power of acknowledging death while fully living in the moment. ... [Click on the title's link to continue reading.]
Today's Encouragement: It’s the rough side of the mountain that’s ...
02/18/25 at 03:00 AMIt’s the rough side of the mountain that’s the easiest to climb; the smooth side doesn’t have anything for you to hang on to. ~ Aretha Franklin
New House resolution would throw out 2025 home health rule
02/18/25 at 03:00 AMNew House resolution would throw out 2025 home health rule McKnights Home Care; by Liza Berger; 2/14/25 Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) on Wednesday introduced a resolution for Congress to disapprove of the 2025 home health payment rule. The resolution was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Home health providers and advocates have been pushing for Congress to stop the rule, which gives an aggregate 0.5% bump for home health providers but inflicts a permanent behavioral adjustment of -1.975%. ... In 2023, the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (now the National Alliance for Care at Home) sued the Department of Health and Human Services to block Medicare rate cuts.
[England] Hundreds protest amid fears of hospice closure
02/18/25 at 03:00 AM[England] Hundreds protest amid fears of hospice closure BBC News, Liverpool, England; by Suzanne Hailey & Rumeana Jahangir; 2/15/25 Hundreds of people have attended an emotional protest against the potential closure of a Marie Curie hospice. The 26-bed inpatient unit at the site in Woolton, Liverpool, has been temporarily shut since July amid shortages in specialised nursing staff. ... [Independent] councillor Lucy Williams, who worked at the hospice as a palliative care nurse for two years, told BBC North West Tonight the charity's management said on Friday "they were considering closure" as one of their options. At a protest outside the hospice on Saturday many people held up pictures of loved ones who had died, with some saying they were "angry" about the current state of uncertainty. Ms Williams said: "Marie Curie are going to be met with the wrath of Liverpool. The whole community is going to get behind this."
Valley Hospice House to open Feb. 25, expanding hospice care in the region
02/18/25 at 03:00 AMValley Hospice House to open Feb. 25, expanding hospice care in the region Bladen Online, Fayetteville, NC; contributed by Cape Fear Valley Health; 2/14/25 Cape Fear Valley Health is proud to announce the official opening of Valley Hospice House, a new, dedicated facility for hospice care, located at 2431 Legion Road. The facility will begin accepting patients on Tuesday, Feb. 25, providing specialized General Inpatient (GIP) Hospice Care and Respite Care in a compassionate, home-like setting. “The opening of Valley Hospice House marks a significant step forward in enhancing hospice services for our community,” said Susan Dees, Chief Nursing Executive.
Human Services seeks proposals to expand PACE to serve older adults in all 21 counties [New Jersey]
02/18/25 at 03:00 AMHuman Services seeks proposals to expand PACE to serve older adults in all 21 counties [New Jersey] Department of Human Services - Official Site of the State of New Jersey, Trenton, NJ; 2/14/25 Human Services today issued two requests for proposals to establish a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) in Hunterdon County and in Morris, Sussex, and Warren Counties, the remaining counties currently without a PACE program. PACE is an innovative program that provides individuals 55 years of age or older with comprehensive medical and social services. The care is coordinated and provided by an interdisciplinary team of professionals in a community-based center and in their homes. ... “PACE connects older residents with specific health needs to vital health and social services that can help delay or avoid admission to long-term care facilities. This is the last step to achieving our goal of expanding PACE as an option to older adults in every county of New Jersey,” said Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman.
[Updated] Trump administration suspends hospice Special Focus Program
02/18/25 at 03:00 AM[Updated] Trump administration suspends hospice Special Focus Program Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 2/14/25 The Trump Administration has suspended implementation of the hospice Special Focus Program. Finalized in the 2024 home health payment rule, the program is designed to identify poor performing hospices, mandate quality improvement and in some cases impose additional penalties. However, stakeholders in the hospice space have contended that the agency’s methodology for selecting hospices for the program is deeply flawed. Notice of the suspension appeared [Friday, 2/14] on the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website.
Navigating palliative care models in ACO partnerships
02/18/25 at 03:00 AMNavigating palliative care models in ACO partnerships Hospice News; by Markisan Naso; 2/14/25 Partnerships between health care providers and Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) can help to create effective, value-based palliative care models for patients, but navigating the development of those relationships requires communication and a true commitment to collaboration. ... “ACOs are looking for high-quality care that reduces avoidable crises, and specialty palliative care has been proven to do just that,” Allison Silvers, chief of health care transformation at the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC), told Palliative Care News. ...
Hearts for Hospice showers patients with love
02/18/25 at 03:00 AMHearts for Hospice showers patients with love Davidson Local, Davidson County, NC; 2/14/25 As people prepare to shower each other with love each Valentine's Day, the annual Hearts for Hospice provides comforting packages to more than 350 patients and families. Staff says that the community initiative is a highly regarded event at [Hospice of Davidson County] HODC, eagerly anticipated by volunteers and staff each year. This Valentine-themed event begins with contributions of sweet treats, stuffed animal items, and personal care items donated by individuals, civic groups, and the business community. Following the drop-offs, a team assembles Valentine-themed goodie bags filled with delightful treats. These lovingly prepared gifts are then delivered to participating patients throughout the service area on Valentine’s Day, creating an opportunity to spread joy, warmth and affection.
5,200 job cuts at HHS: What to know
02/18/25 at 03:00 AM5,200 job cuts at HHS: What to know Becker's Hospital Review; by Madeline Ashley; 2/14/25 The Trump administration on Feb. 13 ordered HHS to lay off "nearly all" of its 5,200 probationary employees, The Associated Press reported Feb. 14. In a National Institutes of Health department meeting recording obtained by the AP, an NIH office director said some probationary employees with specialized skills might be retained. Affected employees were notified via email on the afternoon of Feb. 13. Many probationary employees are people who have worked for the federal government for about one to two years, before gaining civil service protections. Some probationary employees are veteran staffers who may have been recently promoted, according to the AP.
Americans who’ve become caregivers rose by a third in 10 years
02/18/25 at 03:00 AMAmericans who’ve become caregivers rose by a third in 10 years The Daily Sentinel, Grand Junction, CO; 2/14/25 A growing numbers of family members now provide care for older adults who live at home or in residential care settings, a new study shows. Their ranks increased 32%, from 18.2 million to 24.1 million, between 2011 and 2022, according to new research in the journal Health Affairs. The number of hours that these folks spent caring for older adults with dementia jumped by nearly 50%, from an average 21.4 hours per week in 2011 to 31 hours in 2022. Exactly what is driving the increase in family or unpaid caregiving is not fully understood, but researchers speculate that it may be due to a rise in the number of people who live with the folks who they assist. For the study, researchers culled data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) and the National Study of Caregiving (NSOC) in 2011 and 2022.
Center for Hospice Care's BreatheEazy Program supports patients with respiratory issues
02/18/25 at 03:00 AMCenter for Hospice Care's BreatheEazy Program supports patients with respiratory issues LaporteCounty.Life; by Garrett Spoor; 2/13/25 One of the toughest health challenges a person can face is the trouble of breathing. Center for Hospice Care comes across a lot of patients who experience this issue and encourages many of them to become a part of their BreatheEazy program. Dr. Karissa Misner, medical director at Center for Hospice Care, considers the BreatheEazy program to be a monumental boost for patients who might have respiratory issues. “This is a specialized pulmonary program for our patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,” Misner said. “It can also be used for many other terminal diagnoses that affect the lungs. Whenever there is any type of illness that causes difficulty in breathing, we can utilize this program.”
What's keeping CFOs up at night?
02/18/25 at 02:00 AMWhat's keeping CFOs up at night? Becker's Hospital CFO Report; by Alan Condon; 2/14/25 As health system CFOs chart their course for 2025, they face an increasingly complex financial landscape marked by mounting labor costs, tightening margins, shifting payer dynamics and an evolving regulatory environment. ... [Several] CFOs recently joined the “Becker's CFO and Revenue Cycle Podcast” to discuss the trends they're watching most closely — and the strategies they're deploying to stay ahead. [Key items include the following: labor shortages (key theme); major investments in ambulatory care facilities; AI to support operations and service; physician partnerships; shift from fee for service to value-based care; clinical labor; malpractice litigation; growth of Medicare Advantage programs; staffing shortages; inflation; reimbursements; providing care to undersinsured patients; Medicaid supplemental funding programs; "disruptors' by private equity and "other nontraditional players"; uncertainty of federal and state regulation changes.]
Class action over UHG's alleged AI-driven care denials advances
02/17/25 at 03:00 AMClass action over UHG's alleged AI-driven care denials advances Modern Healthcare; by Lauren Berryman; 2/13/25 A class action regarding UnitedHealthcare’s alleged use of artificial intelligence to deny care for Medicare Advantage members will continue playing out in court, but with fewer claims. In a court filing Thursday, a federal judge said two of seven claims brought against UnitedHealth Group by health plan members and their families — who alleged the company used AI to deny coverage for medically necessary post-acute care — can move forward. UnitedHealth Group has been battling the lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, since November 2023. Plaintiffs have alleged the company's health insurance unit UnitedHealthcare used an AI tool called nH Predict to make coverage decisions, sometimes overriding physician judgment.
Patrick Mahomes' grandfather dies days after Chiefs' Super Bowl heartbreak
02/17/25 at 03:00 AMPatrick Mahomes' grandfather dies days after Chiefs' Super Bowl heartbreak Fox News; by Paulina Dedaj; 2/14/25 The grandfather of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has died just weeks after being put in hospice care, the NFL star’s mother confirmed Friday. Randi Mahomes shared a post on Instagram announcing the passing of her father, Randy. The heartbreaking news for the Mahomes family comes just days after the Chiefs suffered a crushing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX. [Click here for their previous post, Patrick Mahomes' grandfather reportedly 'hanging on' in hospice care to watch grandson play in Super Bowl LIX]
The talk nurses don't talk about enough: Death and dying
02/17/25 at 03:00 AMThe talk nurses don't talk about enough: Death and dying Nurse.org - Nurse Converse podcast; by "Courtney" DNP, APRN, AGNP-C; 2/11/25 ... Nursing and medical curricula extensively cover subjects such as pathophysiology, pharmacology, and anatomy, yet they often fail to provide structured training on effective communication regarding death and dying. In the podcast, the hosts recall their own educational experiences, noting that they were not equipped with the tools or frameworks necessary to engage in these sensitive discussions. One telling example from a medical course on difficult conversations revealed that when students were asked if they had received any training on the subject, not a single hand was raised.
Today's Encouragement: Leadership should be born out of ...
02/17/25 at 03:00 AMLeadership should be born out of understanding the needs of those who will be affected by it. ~ Marian Anderson
Hospice provider sues to demand denied employee retention credit
02/17/25 at 03:00 AMHospice provider sues to demand denied employee retention credit Bloomberg Law; by Tristan Navera; 2/13/25 Hospice healthcare provider Passages LLC is contesting the IRS denial of a $663,000 employee retention credit, arguing that it’s eligible for the coronavirus incentive program due to the disruptions it faced during the pandemic. The New Orleans-based company said the IRS wrongly denied its claim for the ERC credit—a program that reimbursed companies for keeping workers on the payroll during the economic disruption caused by Covid-19—for one quarter of 2021. The company endured partial suspension of its operations and should qualify, it told the US District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
Humana posts $693M loss in Q4
02/17/25 at 03:00 AMHumana posts $693M loss in Q4 Becker's Payer Issues; by Jakob Emerson; 2/11/25 Humana lost $693 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to the company's year-end earnings report published Feb. 11. The results reflect increased benefits expenses, particularly in Medicare Advantage and state-based contracts. Despite the challenges, the company projected earnings per share of $15.88 for 2025, with an adjusted EPS of approximately $16.25. Total revenues in the fourth quarter were $29.2 billion, up 10.4% year over year. In 2024, total revenues were $117.8 billion, up 10.7%. Humana posted a net loss of $693 million in the fourth quarter, compared to a $541 million net loss the year prior. In 2024, the company's net income totaled nearly $1.2 billion, down 52%.