Literature Review
All posts tagged with “Hospice Provider News | Utilization.”
Navigating end-of-life decisions with Islamic ethics
03/04/26 at 03:00 AMNavigating end-of-life decisions with Islamic ethics WisconsinMuslimJournal.org; by Sandra Whitehead; 2/20/26 Medical College of Wisconsin Professor Aasim I. Padela, M.D., founder and president of the Initiative on Islam and Medicine, discussed Islamic bioethics during a January workshop on end-of-life decisions at the Islamic Society of Milwaukee. ... About 50 people attended the four-hour workshop, Islamic Bioethics & End-of-Life Healthcare Decisions, held Jan. 31 at the Islamic Society of Milwaukee. It featured experts with backgrounds in medicine, palliative care, hospice and Islam. Speakers made presentations and led discussions about practical steps, resources and strategies to help Muslims “transition from a state of uncertainty about end-of-life healthcare to thoughtful preparation for it,” a workbook given to participants stated.
Hospice care around the world: How other cultures approach end-of-life care - Gilchrist and Nkoaranga Palliative Care
03/04/26 at 03:00 AMHospice care around the world: How other cultures approach end-of-life care - Gilchrist and Nkoaranga Palliative Care ehospice; by Gilchrist Hospice; 2/25/26 ... What began as a knowledge and skill-sharing partnership became something even greater: when Nkoaranga lost its main source of financial support in 2011, Gilchrist stepped up to fully fund the program’s annual operating budget. Today, through this enduring partnership, Gilchrist provides the $80,000 per year that allows Nkoaranga’s dedicated team to deliver life-changing care to patients and families who would otherwise go without. ... In 2024 alone, Nkoaranga’s small but mighty team conducted over 170 home visits and served 123 additional patients and families beyond their monthly caseload.
Q&A: Why are more Americans under 50 years of age dying of colorectal cancer?
03/04/26 at 03:00 AMQ&A: Why are more Americans under 50 years of age dying of colorectal cancer? Medscape; by Keith Mulvihill; 2/10/26 First, the good news: Fewer Americans younger than 50 years are dying from cancer vs just a decade ago — reflecting progress in prevention, early detection, and treatment. There is, however, one big exception. Colorectal cancer mortality has been steadily inching up, and the disease now stands as the leading cause of cancer death in this age group, up from the fifth-leading in the early 1990s. ... The outlier is colorectal cancer, where mortality has been rising by about 1% per year since 2005. And it’s a pattern seen in both men and women. ... [The researchers are asked,] "Can you offer some possible reasons for the declining mortality in most of the cancers you studied?"
3 strategies to improve care access: McKinsey
03/04/26 at 03:00 AM3 strategies to improve care access: McKinsey Becker's Hospital Review; by Kristin Kuchno; 3/3/26 With the U.S. physician shortage projected to surpass 137,000 by 2037, improving patient access cannot rely on pushing physicians to see more patients, according to a Feb. 26 McKinsey article. In McKinsey’s 2025 Physician Survey, 83% of physicians said they have seen patients delay care, with access barriers ranking among the top reasons. ... McKinsey outlines three additional strategies that when implemented together and in sequence — alongside efforts to reduce waste — can improve patient satisfaction and retention.
Azura Palliative Care & Hospice
03/03/26 at 03:00 AMAzura Palliative Care & Hospice NBC WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI; Press Release; 2/27/26 Azura has been the leader in Memory Care & Assisted Living for many years. They are now opening a new location in Mukwonago. They also have a new sister company Azura Palliative Care & Hospice. The two companies allow them to offer assisted living, memory care, respite, hospice, palliative care and an adult day program called TIME.
What Enhabit’s $1.1B acquisition means for the hospice landscape
03/03/26 at 03:00 AMWhat Enhabit’s $1.1B acquisition means for the hospice landscape Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 2/24/26 Enhabit Inc. (NYSE: EHAB) has plans to grow its hospice and home health service lines to new levels upon the completion of its recent acquisition by the private equity firm Kinderhook Industries LLC. ... The recently announced $1.1 billion acquisition represents an important milestone in terms of expanding the provider’s patient reach and workforce, according to Barb Jacobsmeyer, president and CEO of Enhabit. ... Enhabit is among the largest hospice and home care companies in the United States, according to Hospice News’ Hospice Top 50 report. ... The timing of the Enhabit transaction comes at a pivotal point in its growth trajectory, according to Joe Widmar, director of the consulting firm West Monroe.
Choices Healthcare CEO Michael Link eyes growth, innovation while staying true to hospice mission
03/03/26 at 02:00 AMChoices Healthcare CEO Michael Link eyes growth, innovation while staying true to hospice mission LNP | Lancaster Online; by Rachel Curry; 3/1/26 Michael Link always admired the loyalty it took for a long, stable career — in terms of being loyal to the company and vice versa. In October 2025, Link became CEO of Choices Healthcare, the parent company of Hospice & Community Care, where he began working as an IT trainer in 2001. ... For Link, it was quickly apparent that the work he found himself in was meaningful, and staying within the organization afforded him the opportunity to work across all kinds of departments. In 2024, Hospice & Community Care merged with Hospice of Central PA to form Choices Healthcare. Together, they provide care across 11 Pennsylvania counties. The organization also operates the Pathways Center for Grief & Loss in Mount Joy. Much of Link’s new role involves maintaining a strong legacy of care.
Bedford Hospice House to close mid-April, shifts to home-based care
03/02/26 at 03:00 AMBedford Hospice House to close mid-April, shifts to home-based care WFXR Roanoke, Bedford, VA; by Samantha Trezevant; 2/27/26 Centra announced it will close the Bedford Hospice House on April 15, 2026, citing ongoing financial challenges despite years of community support. In a Facebook post, the nonprofit health system says operating costs at the hospice house have exceeded revenues and donations for several years. This led to what officials described as a difficult but necessary decision.
Farmington man accused of stabbing two women released to hospice after rapid health decline
03/02/26 at 03:00 AMFarmington man accused of stabbing two women released to hospice after rapid health decline 40/29 News Sunrise, Rogers, AR; by Adam Roberts; 2/25/26 A 74-year-old Farmington man accused of stabbing two women is being sent from jail to hospice care, according to court documents. James Edward Gore was arrested after police say he used scissors and a knife to stab two women on Feb. 9. ... A court filing by Gore’s attorney stated that surgeons had removed a tumor the size of a tennis ball, that he has progressive dementia, and cognitive decline. The filing claimed that when they tried to speak with him in jail, he couldn’t communicate with them and didn’t comprehend what was happening. Gore’s attorney asked the court to reduce the bond and allow him to be released to hospice. ... Gore will be sent to a hospice facility in Springdale with staff who have experience with people in Gore’s position.
Trends and disparities in left ventricular failure mortality in The United States: A 1999-2020 analysis
02/28/26 at 03:35 AMTrends and disparities in left ventricular failure mortality in The United States: A 1999-2020 analysisJournal of Cardiac Failure; by Abdalhakim Shubietah, Hasan Munshi, Emmanuel Olumuyide, Muath Baniowda, Abdallah Hussein, Mohammad Alqadi, Qutaiba Qafisheh, Majd Oweidat, Omar Hamadi, Mohammad O Abdelhafez; 1/26 Left ventricular failure (LVF) is a significant cause of cardiovascular mortality in the United States. Despite advances in heart failure management, mortality rates have shown a notable increase over time, particularly in recent years. This study examines trends and disparities in LVF-related mortality using data from the CDC WONDER database from 1999 to 2020. LVF-related mortality has increased significantly over the past two decades, particularly after 2010, highlighting a growing public health concern. Disparities persist across sex, race, age groups, urbanization, and geographic regions. The high burden of deaths outside medical facilities suggests a need for enhanced outpatient and palliative care strategies.
[United Kingdom] When a children’s hospice closes – national questions and lessons from Richard House by Peter Ellis
02/27/26 at 03:00 AM[United Kingdom] When a children’s hospice closes – national questions and lessons from Richard House by Peter Ellis ehospice; by Peter Ellis; 2/25/26 The closure of Richard House Children’s Hospice in December 2025 represents more than the loss of a single organisation. It signals a moment of reckoning for the children’s hospice movement in the United Kingdom. Richard House served families in East London for 25 years. East London has a hugely diverse population with some 104 languages and dialects spoken. It has a substantially higher number of children with life limited or threatened lives than any other part of the country. So, Richard House was uniquely placed in the right part of the country. Failing as it has means there are serious questions to be asked.
What my sister Ellen taught me about dignity and the importance of being seen: A powerful reflection on person-centered care, bias, and the true meaning of human dignity in medicine
02/27/26 at 03:00 AMWhat my sister Ellen taught me about dignity and the importance of being seen: A powerful reflection on person-centered care, bias, and the true meaning of human dignity in medicine Good Men Project; by Harvey Max Chochinov; 2/23/26 Several years before her death at the age of 55 years due to complications of cerebral palsy, my sister Ellen was again in hospital, this time in intensive care and on the brink of respiratory collapse. ... I’ve spent my entire career as a psychiatrist working in palliative care. This has included leading a large program of research, examining most aspects of end-of-life experience for patients nearing death. Recently I have recast the Golden Rule for healthcare professionals, reminding them they must aspire to a higher standard. I have coined this The Platinum Rule: do unto others as they would want done unto themselves. This means that healthcare professionals can’t presume to know what is in the patient’s best interest based on what they themselves would want in those circumstances; in other words, they need to take the time to consider the patient’s goals, hopes and wishes.
Uplift Hospice purchases Autumn View in Georgia
02/26/26 at 03:00 AMUplift Hospice purchases Autumn View in Georgia Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 2/25/26 Uplift Hospice has acquired Georgia-based Autumn View Hospice for an undisclosed amount. The transaction brings Uplift Hospice’s average daily census to more than 650 patients, cared for by over 375 employees across Arizona, Nevada, Texas and Georgia. The two organizations connected through an introduction by the M&A advisory firm Agenda Health, which advised the seller through the transaction. Combining with Uplift will accelerate Autumn View’s growth, according to the seller’s COO Lavell Hewitt.
New nonprofit helps Summit families facing terminal illnesses
02/26/26 at 03:00 AMNew nonprofit helps Summit families facing terminal illnesses Summit Daily; by Summit Daily Staff; 2/24/26 The newly launched nonprofit Lean on Us aims to provide support services for individuals and families in Summit County dealing with terminal illness. A news release from the nonprofit stated it will provide physical, social, emotional and financial support, complementing the work of existing nonprofits, healthcare providers and caregivers in the county. Lean on Us’ nonmedical assistance will include companionship, caregiver respite, transportation, meal support, emergency financial assistance, accommodations, resource coordination and help with day-to-day tasks.
Hospice use rising for seniors following ICU stays
02/26/26 at 03:00 AMHospice use rising for seniors following ICU stays U.S. News & World Report; by Deanna Neff, HealthDay News; 2/25/26For many older Americans, the intensive care unit (ICU) is a place of aggressive, life-saving intervention. However, a new national study reveals that more seniors are choosing a different path — transitioning from the high-tech world of the ICU to the comfort-focused environment of hospice. ... Between 2011 and 2023, the number of Medicare beneficiaries discharged to hospice after an ICU stay increased significantly, researchers from Boston University’s School of Medicine found. This shift occurred even as overall death rates remained steady, suggesting that the change in setting wasn’t tied to more people dying, but rather about how and where people spent their final days.Editor's Note: We posted a similar article on 2/23/26. We post this article for your awareness and use, due to its high profile in U.S. News & World Report.
Doing everything FOR the patient, not TO the patient
02/24/26 at 03:00 AMDoing everything FOR the patient, not TO the patient HIStalk - Healthcare IT News & Opinion; by Nassib Charmoun; 2/23/26 “Do as much as possible for the patient and as little as possible to the patient.” That single sentence, written by Bernard Lown, MD in “The Lost Art of Healing,” should serve as a universal guide to thinking about medicine, caregiving, and what it truly means to heal. Dr. Lown was my mentor beginning in my early 20s and remained a close friend until his death in 2021 at age 99, He was decades ahead of his time. He believed that medicine should integrate scientific rigor with moral imagination, and that clinical excellence without compassion is incomplete care. ... Increasingly, the evidence suggests that quality of life, not simply quantity of life, must be the defining outcome.
A multidimensional narrative review of disparities in hospice care use
02/23/26 at 03:15 AMA multidimensional narrative review of disparities in hospice care use American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; by Komal Patel Murali, PhD, RN, ACNP-BC, Gwenneth Wang, BS, Daniella Torres, BA, Laura Tycon Moreines, MSN, RN, Abraham A. Brody, PhD, RN, FAAN, Karen Bullock, PhD, LCSW, and Leah V. Estrada, PhD, RN; 2/19/26 ... Findings: Guided by the Social Ecological Model, the objectives of this narrative review are to (a) discuss disparities in hospice care use, (b) explore multidimensional levels and factors contributing to such disparities, and (c) outline implications and imperatives for improving access to and use of hospice care. ... System-level solutions include integrating hospice referrals into routine care workflows, improving hospice-related policies, strengthening partnerships with community organizations, and transitional care research. Clinicians are uniquely positioned to identify care preferences, advocate for timely referrals and support the hospice transition, and build trust with patients and families at the end of life.
The effect of race on patterns of care and utilization of palliative interventions in patients with lung cancer
02/23/26 at 03:00 AMThe effect of race on patterns of care and utilization of palliative interventions in patients with lung cancer Holistic Integrative Oncology; by Calvin Walker, Jr., Zeytun Guyo, Davin Means, Martlin Emeasoba, Samantha Robinson, Mohammod Mahmudur Rahman, Kingsley Nnawuba & Hanna Jensen; 2/6/26 ... Results: Altogether 2,048 (1,660 white and 388 black) patients were included in the study with other races excluded due to low sample sizes. Black patients were younger, more male, had higher rates of current tobacco use, and utilized Medicaid more often than their white counterparts. Black patients also had more comorbidities while having less family history of cancer, were diagnosed with more advanced stages of cancer, and had more active cancer status in follow-up. ...
Outlook for hospice care in Minot area following suspension of Trinity’s services
02/23/26 at 03:00 AMOutlook for hospice care in Minot area following suspension of Trinity’s services KFYR/KMOT TV, Minot, ND; by Kyona Rivera; 2/19/26 Last week, we told you about Trinity Health suspending its hospice services. Families are raising concerns about what this means for those who rely on this kind of care in our community. When Trinity Health ends its hospice services, that will leave two providers in Minot, one of which is HIA Hospice. Staff member Brenda Iverson said the need for this type of care goes far beyond the area.
Hospice use after ICU admission increased across the US from 2011–2023
02/23/26 at 02:00 AMHospice use after ICU admission increased across the US from 2011–2023 Medical Xpress; by Boston University School of Medicine, edited by Gaby Clark; 2/19/26 ... In a new study from Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, researchers have found that more older adults in the U.S. are being discharged to hospice after an ICU stay than in the past, and this increase happened even as overall short-term death rates stayed stable. This research is the first to quantify hospice use after ICU stays on a national scale, and suggests a real shift in how end-of-life care is delivered to the seriously ill. These findings appear online in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
Too late to help? Disparities in palliative and hospice care among veterans with pancreatic cancer—A 10-year retrospective study at a VA medical center
02/21/26 at 03:15 AMToo late to help? Disparities in palliative and hospice care among veterans with pancreatic cancer—A 10-year retrospective study at a VA medical centerJournal of Clinical Oncology; by Jonathan Blackmon, Mirza Mashaal Khan, Rahul Reddy Tirumalareddy, Zohair Siddiqui, Saurin Chokshi, Alva Bowen Weir III; 1/26Pancreatic cancer is characterized by high symptom burden, rapid progression, and poor prognosis. ASCO [American Society of Clinical Oncology] guidelines recommend palliative care consultation at diagnosis or within 8–12 weeks. Despite guideline recommendations, many patients with pancreatic cancer did not receive timely palliative or hospice care. Delays were more pronounced among rural and Black patients, highlighting persistent disparities in access. These findings support the implementation of a quality improvement initiative at the Memphis VA to standardize early palliative care referrals for high-risk populations.
[UK] Parental experiences of perinatal loss, with a focus on hospice provision: A thematic analysis
02/21/26 at 03:10 AM[UK] Parental experiences of perinatal loss, with a focus on hospice provision: A thematic analysisPalliative & Supportive Care; Rhiannon Latham, Katrina Williams, Keeley Guest, Fauzia Paize, Robyn Lotto; 1/26Perinatal palliative care (PPC) offers holistic support to families of babies with life-limiting conditions, addressing emotional, psychological, and practical needs alongside ensuring dignity for the baby. Five key themes were identified [in this study]: the significance of language used by healthcare professionals when discussing the baby's condition; the importance of timely introduction to hospice care; recognition that grief is a personal and evolving process; the role of shared experiences in building relationships; and the importance of creating lasting memories. Findings highlight the importance of improving healthcare professionals' communication skills and integrating multidisciplinary palliative care services early in the care pathway. Parents expressed gratitude for the hospice support, particularly the opportunity to spend quality time with their baby and make lasting memories.
‘It’s a collaborative effort’: Northern Light Medical Transport paramedics providing hospice support
02/20/26 at 03:00 AM‘It’s a collaborative effort’: Northern Light Medical Transport paramedics providing hospice supportWABI-5, Bangor, ME; by Alyssa Thurlow; 2/19/26 ... Paramedics can help patients across Maine with a variety of needs, but some are embracing a slower-paced role, focused on assisting those who are at the end of life. “Patients have access to care 24/7, and part of that coverage for after-hours is now coming through the community paramedicine program,” said hospice educator Allie Rohrer, RN. ... “It’s not with lights and sirens. It’s very low key. It’s driving there in a car, and then it’s talking through the issues,” said paramedic Ed Moreshead. ... Northern Light’s community paramedics are contracted with Northern Light Home Care & Hospice. Families in need of assistance call the triage number, and a hospice nurse and on-call physician can respond if needed.
New ‘care home’ for seniors aims to bring alternative to home health care
02/20/26 at 03:00 AMNew ‘care home’ for seniors aims to bring alternative to home health care WCAX-3 CBS, East Middlebury, VT; by Laura Ullman; 2/18/26 Vermont has a housing crisis for seniors trying to age in place. A nonprofit in Addison County is hoping to pioneer a new model to meet the needs of Vermont’s aging demographic. “Addison County Home Health looked for about a year and a half to find a space, ...” said Deb Wesley, the CEO of Addison County Home Health & Hospice. ... “Our goal is to provide a home for eight individuals who really are medically frail, are really unable to live at home alone, or require some increased assistance for their care,” Wesley said. ... Addison County Home Health & Hospice is hoping to open this care home in late spring.