Literature Review



Today's Encouragement: Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you ...

02/12/25 at 03:00 AM

I will permit no man to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him. ~ Booker T. Washington 

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UF Health realigns into 3 regions, names new leaders

02/12/25 at 03:00 AM

UF Health realigns into 3 regions, names new leaders Becker's Hospital CFO Report; by Madeline Ashley; 2/6/25 Gainesville, Fla.-based UF Health has realigned into three geographical areas in Florida and reworked its leadership to help manage patient care programs, services and facility growth. The regions are Northeast Florida, Central Florida and Greater Gainesville, according to a Feb. 6 news release. [Click on the title's link for the following Senior Vice President / Regional President updates:] 

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‘Severe understaffing and sharp cuts’: 2,000 health care workers to picket Providence on Wednesday

02/12/25 at 03:00 AM

‘Severe understaffing and sharp cuts’: 2,000 health care workers to picket Providence on Wednesday Euraka Times-Standard, Eureka, CA; by Robert Schaulis; 2/11/25 More than 2,000 health care workers will picket Providence hospitals and health care facilities throughout Northern California this Wednesday. The day of action will take place across six sites throughout the region — four hospitals and two hospices across Humboldt, Napa and Sonoma counties — including Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka. More than 2,000 health care workers represented by the National Union of Healthcare Workers have elected to picket, citing “severe understaffing and sharp cuts to health services in communities that are dependent on Providence for their medical care.” ... Layoffs have also resulted in increased caseloads in areas like Sonoma County, where Providence has laid off hospice workers.

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Chesapeake Life Center offers healing for those experiencing loss after DCA tragedy

02/12/25 at 02:00 AM

Chesapeake Life Center offers healing for those experiencing loss after DCA tragedy Southern Maryland News Net, Chesapeake, MD; 2/10/25 The Chesapeake Life Center will offer “Healing Our Community: Navigating Grief in the Aftermath of the DCA Tragedy” to support those affected by the Jan. 29 tragedy at Reagan National Airport. Chesapeake Life Center’s trauma-informed grief counselors will lead this healing workshop from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at Hospice of the Chesapeake’s center at 2505 Davis Road, Waldorf, Maryland. The session offers a supportive space for community members to connect with others who share in their loss. Together, they can learn about grief and healthy coping strategies, participate in activities to express and process emotions and create a remembrance keepsake. Adults will meet separately from the children and teens to ensure age-appropriate conversations. 

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As I held my dying daughter’s hand, what did I feel? Immense pride in a young woman who – despite a lifetime of complex special needs – taught us that perfection comes in many different guises

02/11/25 at 03:15 AM

As I held my dying daughter’s hand, what did I feel? Immense pride in a young woman who – despite a lifetime of complex special needs – taught us that perfection comes in many different guises Express Digest - DailyMail.co.uk; 2/7/25 As I held my dying daughter's hand, what did I feel? Immense pride in a young woman who – despite a lifetime of complex special needs – taught us that perfection comes in many different guises. ... There is no doubt that without her, our own lives might have been easier and much less of an emotional roller-coaster – yet they would also have been so much poorer. For she introduced us to the richness of worlds and wonderful people that we might never have encountered without her.  ... Iona showed that life was for living, despite her disabilities and health struggles. She fuelled my compassion, smoothed my sharper edges and gave me courage ...

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Access tops list of Americans' healthcare concerns: 4 survey findings

02/11/25 at 03:00 AM

Access tops list of Americans' healthcare concerns: 4 survey findings Becker's Clinical Leadership; by Erica Carbajal; 2/5/25A quarter of Americans rank healthcare access and affordability as the top public health priority they want government leaders to focus on, according to poll findings from Gallup and Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health. ... Four key findings:

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Kamloops Hospice's Messages of Love Campaign runs all month long

02/11/25 at 03:00 AM

Kamloops Hospice's Messages of Love Campaign runs all month long Castanet - Kamloops.net, Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada; by Eagle Anderson, 2/9/25 Kamloops residents are being invited to stop by a cafe, grab a cup of coffee and share some positive words as part of Kamloops Hospice’s Messages of Love Campaign, which is running all month. Four local eateries — 5 Bean Brew Bar (Sahali), The Vic, Cafe Motivo, Yew Street — and the Kamloops Hospice will each provide sticky notes, pens and a board for posting. “It’s essentially an awareness campaign,” Kamloops Hospice’s Fund Development Lead Sarah Irvine said. ... Participants are encouraged to write a positive message on each note. They can then keep the note, stick it to a board or give it away. Messages can be written to friends, family, community groups, lost loved ones and even to themselves.

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Flat MaineCare rates force home health company to discharge pediatric patients

02/11/25 at 03:00 AM

Flat MaineCare rates force home health company to discharge pediatric patients NBC News Center Maine, Lewiston, ME; by Vivien Leigh; 2/7/25 A home health company is lobbying state health officials to adopt a funding plan to ensure kids with severe health needs don't fall through the cracks. Andwell Health Partners provides nursing, therapy, and services to nearly 900 children across six counties. The majority of those kids are on MaineCare, the state's version of Medicaid. But the company said it has no choice but to discharge patients because of a lack of increase in reimbursement rates. ... Lindsay Hammes, spokesperson with Maine DHHS, released a statement to News Center Maine. "... MaineCare has been working with providers and partners, including Andwell, on a palliative care model that would, among other populations, cover children with medical complexity. We are in the rate-setting stage for this model." 

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'We’re seeing these struggles.' Rainbow works to support end-of-life caregivers

02/11/25 at 03:00 AM

'We’re seeing these struggles.' Rainbow works to support end-of-life caregivers Daily Jefferson County Union, Jefferson, WI; by Hannah Brock; 2/10/25 Rainbow Community Care is facing a growing need in Dodge and Jefferson counties: the overwhelming burden placed on caregivers, both family members and healthcare workers, as they navigate end-of-life care. “There’s this need in the community to support caregivers, where whoever they are,” said Carol Brown, president and CEO of Rainbow Community Care. The backbone of the healthcare system isn’t just hospitals or insurance plans—it’s the unpaid, often invisible labor of family caregivers. ... The newest initiative, the respite care program, is being designed to give caregivers much-needed breaks. Many family caregivers go months—or even years—without a full night’s rest, a doctor’s visit for themselves, or even an afternoon off, according to Rainbow Community Care. To help address this, Rainbow Community Care secured the necessary funding for the program. 

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What we talk about, or not, when talking about death

02/11/25 at 03:00 AM

What we talk about, or not, when talking about death Enumclaw Courier-Herald; by Wire Service; 2/9/25 Death is a guarantee for everyone, so why do people shy away from talking about it and using words like death and dying? ... As a death doula and grief coach, Kathleen Putnam hopes that providing care to those who are grieving can help change the language surrounding death. ... Putnam explains that in present society, people want to avoid grief and pain. With medical advancements and industries and marketing systems focusing on keeping people alive, the rhetoric surrounding dying has become negative. Putnam also pointed out that instead of using phrases like “they died” or “they’re dying,” other phrases like “pass away” and “they went to sleep” have become popular when talking about a loss.

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Montana bill to outlaw physician-assisted death clears Senate

02/11/25 at 03:00 AM

Montana bill to outlaw physician-assisted death clears Senate Ravalli Republic; by Carly Graf; 2/7/25 The proposal would prohibit a health care provider from prescribing life-ending drugs at the request of a terminally ill patient. That ability currently exists largely due to a legal loophole. [Article is behind a paywall.]

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UnitedHealth Group withdraws motion to dismiss antitrust challenge

02/11/25 at 03:00 AM

UnitedHealth Group withdraws motion to dismiss antitrust challenge Competition Policy International; by CPI; 2/8/25 UnitedHealth Group has withdrawn its motion to dismiss the Justice Department’s antitrust lawsuit challenging its proposed acquisition of Amedisys, a home care and hospice provider. According to the , the healthcare giant stated that new information provided by the government in late January rendered its initial motion moot. ... On January 29, the Justice Department responded to the motion by filing a list of 381 service areas where it alleged the acquisition would negatively impact competition. UnitedHealth Group, in its latest filing, acknowledged that this submission “finally identified” the locations in question, leading the company to withdraw its motion.

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How CNOs can manage change management

02/11/25 at 03:00 AM

How CNOs can manage change management Health Leaders; by G. Hatfield; 2/10/25 Crisp, clear communication is key for CNOs who are trying to handle their change management processes, says this CNO. ... According to Stefanie Beavers, chief nursing executive at OU Health, and HealthLeaders Exchange member, a key focus of the change management process is solidifying organizational identity.

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After Eaton fire response, a search and rescue team gears up for a future of wildfire

02/11/25 at 03:00 AM

After Eaton fire response, a search and rescue team gears up for a future of wildfire DirectRelief; by Talya Meyers; 2/10/25 Like many California volunteer rescuers, Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Team members got their start doing wilderness missions. Now, they’re preparing for a bigger role in an era of more frequent, severe wildfires. When the volunteers on the Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Team look back on the first night’s response to the Eaton Fire, what they remember most is problem-solving, and quickly. ...  “We were building an airplane while we were flying it,” is how operations leader Carolyn Grumm described it. ... For [Rob Klusman, senior paramedic team member], the vast and urgent need came into focus early that evening, when his team went to check on a medically complex patient receiving end-of-life care. ... [Immediately after countless evacuations,] he and his teammates moved into their second, grimmer assignment: Moving through devastated, burned-out neighborhoods, ... to find human remains. ... [Now, on] a larger scale, Klusamn explained, California search and rescue teams are thinking about the escalating severity and frequency of wildfires — and how they can be there to respond.

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Today's Encouragement: Justice is ...

02/11/25 at 03:00 AM

Never forget that justice is what love looks like in public. ~ Cornel West

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Medicare's 2025 physician pay cut, explained

02/11/25 at 03:00 AM

Medicare's 2025 physician pay cut, explainedBecker's Hospital CFO Report; by Stefanie Asin; 2/5/25 As of Jan. 1, Medicare is paying physicians almost 3% less than last year for services provided to the country's 66 million Medicare patients. The decreased payments aren't a surprise or anything new, as CMS, by law, must keep physician payments budget neutral (cannot raise total Medicare spending by more than $20 million in a year). As a result, since 2020, Medicare has cut physician pay each year ... [Click on the title's link to continue reading these items.]

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[Germany] Green hospice snails: Dresden bakeries support incurable children

02/11/25 at 03:00 AM

[Germany] Green hospice snails: Dresden bakeries support incurable children Archynewsy; 1/10/25 In Dresden, Germany, a heartwarming campaign is uniting bakeries and communities to support families facing the challenges of life-limiting illnesses in their children. Every February 10th, known as the "Day of Work for the Hospice for Children," participating bakeries offer delectable "green" treats, with a portion of their proceeds contributing to the invaluable work done by local children’s hospices. ... This campaign transcends mere fundraising; it acts as a powerful platform to shed light on the often-overlooked needs of families navigating the complex journey of caring for a child with a life-limiting illness.

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Chapters Health system names new Executive Director and Chief Development Officer of the Foundation for Chapters Health Foundation

02/11/25 at 02:00 AM

Chapters Health system names new Executive Director and Chief Development Officer of the Foundation for Chapters Health Foundation Cision PR Web, Temple Terrace, FL; by Chapters Health System; 2/6/25 Chapters Health System ... announced the appointment of Franklin Guerrero as the new Executive Director and Chief Development Officer of the Chapters Health Foundation. Guerrero, accomplished fundraising executive with more than 20 years of experience in developing successful fundraising strategies, previously served as the Vice President of Major and Planned Gifts at Capital Caring Health, a Chapters Health affiliate organization. He also partnered with leadership at organizations such as AARP Foundation, Hispanic Scholarship Fund, Project HOPE, USA for UNHCR and Children International.

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The health care experience of Hispanic patients with serious illness: A literature review

02/11/25 at 02:00 AM

The health care experience of Hispanic patients with serious illness: A literature reviewCAPC press release; 2/10/25CAPC conducted a literature review of peer-reviewed journal articles indexed in PubMed to understand the health care experience of Hispanic patients with serious illness, and their families and unpaid caregivers. [Please click on the link above for the literature review of 200+ journal articles and 14 key findings.]

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Palliative social work fellowship opportunity

02/10/25 at 03:00 AM

Palliative social work fellowship opportunity The Elm - the University of Maryland, Baltimore; Press Release; 2/6/25The section of Palliative Medicine at Medstar Washington Hospital Center located in Washington, DC is recruiting for a one-year, post-graduate social work fellowship in hospice and palliative medicine with a concentration in ethics.  The interprofessional fellowship consisting of social work, physician and advanced practice clinician fellows and begins July 2025, concluding at the end of June 2025.  Fellowship is an intensive clinical experience designed to train future clinicians and leaders in the field, offering learners to a variety of field-related placements and educational activities. ... We are accepting applications now through March 14, 2025. ... Click here for more information about application requirements and timelines. 

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Rock legend reveals he can’t walk, is grateful to be alive ahead of farewell show

02/10/25 at 03:00 AM

Rock legend reveals he can’t walk, is grateful to be alive ahead of farewell show Penn-Live Patriot News; by Brian Linder; 2/7/25 Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath revealed this week that they are reuniting for one final show, and there’s no doubt it will be a special occasion. And, while it seems a lot of bands announce farewells only to make a comeback years down the line, this really does appear to be it for Osbourne and Black Sabbath. And that’s because Osbourne, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease back in 2020, is struggling health wise. "I have made it to 2025,” Osbourne said ...  “I can’t walk, but you know what I was thinking over the holidays? For all my complaining, I’m still alive. I may be moaning that I can’t walk, but I look down the road and there’s people that didn’t do half as much as me and didn’t make it.”

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Volunteer and her 3 dogs provide joy through Hospice of the Valley's pet therapy program

02/10/25 at 03:00 AM

Volunteer and her 3 dogs provide joy through Hospice of the Valley's pet therapy program AZCentral; by Lin Sue Flood, Hospice of the Valley; 2/7/25 Marian Wallace loves dogs and loves volunteering, so she put the two together to provide joy to others. [Her] three adorable Labradors — Mattie, Harper and Richey — are the newest members of Hospice of the Valley’s pet therapy program. They visit youngsters at Ryan House, which provides respite support to families with medically fragile children. ... Marian joined Hospice of the Valley’s pet therapy program was about 10 years ago. A friend who had a therapy pet inspired her to rescue and train dogs. She began visiting hospice patients with her first two labs, Shiloh and Amy. ... “It’s that child-animal interaction that I find so incredible,” she said. ... One of the most endearing qualities she sees in all of her Labs is how intuitive they are, tapping into the moods and emotions of children to comfort them. ... Editor's note: Ensuring pet therapy training and certification is crucial, for both the pet and the owner. Click here for an extensive national list of Pet Therapy Organizations. If you have--or plan to provide--a pet therapy program, be sure that insurance is provided (by the pet therapy organization and/or by you) in case an incident occurs. 

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A broader end-of-life-view: The need for hospice and palliative care extends beyond the elderly, as the patient population at Transitions LifeCare suggests

02/10/25 at 03:00 AM

A broader end-of-life-view: The need for hospice and palliative care extends beyond the elderly, as the patient population at Transitions LifeCare suggestsTriangle Business Journal, Raleigh, NC; by Connie Gentry; 2/7/25 Although the likelihood of developing cancer is highest for anyone over age 65, the American Cancer Society’s annual report on cancer statistics, released last month, noted increasing incidents of many cancer types among younger adults and women. ... But positive outcomes were also reported: The cancer mortality rate in the U.S. declined by 34 percent from 1991 to 2022 and, since 1970, cancer mortality in children 14 years and younger has declined by 70 percent and among adolescents ages 15 to 19 years it has dropped by 63 percent. ... Although the majority of their hospice patients are over the age of 75, Transitions LifeCare is seeing an increase in younger patients. Last year, roughly 9 percent of their hospice patients were under age 65, almost evenly divided between women and men.

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Providence and hospital doctors reach tentative agreement in Oregon's 27-day health care strike

02/10/25 at 03:00 AM

Providence and hospital doctors reach tentative agreement in Oregon's 27-day health care strike Access WDUN 75, Portland, OR; by The Associated Press; 2/6/25 Providence and dozens of doctors at a hospital in Portland, Oregon, have reached a tentative agreement after 27 days of strike, bringing what has been described as the state's largest health care strike closer to a potential end, depending on union ratification. The tentative agreement with hospital doctors and palliative care physicians working with patients with serious illness or injury at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center was announced by the Oregon Nurses Association union and Providence in news releases late Wednesday [2/5/25]. Key provisions of the tentative agreement include pay raises, more sick time and a commitment to reform staffing models, the union said.

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UnitedHealth drops dismissal bid in US suit over Amedisys deal

02/10/25 at 03:00 AM

UnitedHealth drops dismissal bid in US suit over Amedisys deal Bloomberg Law; by Justin Wise; 2/6/25 (additional subscription may be required)UnitedHealth Group Inc. is withdrawing its motion to dismiss the Justice Department’s lawsuit seeking to block its $3.3 billion acquisition of home-health and hospice services provider Amedisys Inc. and planning to fight the case at trial. In a Wednesday [2/5/25] filing in the US District Court for the District of Maryland, UnitedHealth and Amedisys said that new information provided by the Justice Department eliminated the basis for its request to toss the case at a preliminary stage. The firms previously argued the DOJ was withholding key geographic market information integral to its claim that the tie-up would stifle competition ...

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