Literature Review
All posts tagged with “Hospice Provider News | Operations News | Challenges.”
The Medicare Care Choices Model was associated with reductions in disparities in the use of hospice care for Medicare beneficiaries with terminal illness.
03/01/24 at 03:00 AMThe Medicare Care Choices Model was associated with reductions in disparities in the use of hospice care for Medicare beneficiaries with terminal illnessHealth Serv Res by Matthew J Niedzwiecki, Lauren Vollmer Forrow, Jonathan Gellar, R Vincent Pohl, Arnold Chen, Lynn Miescier, Keith Kranker; 2/29/24 Conclusions: Medicare Choices Model (MCCM) increased hospice use and quality of end-of-life care for model enrollees from underserved groups and reduced disparities in hospice use and having multiple emergency department visits.
False Claims Act - 2023 Year in Review
03/01/24 at 03:00 AMFalse Claims Act - 2023 Year in ReviewJD Supra; by William Athanas, A. Lee Bentley III, Gene Besen, Ryan Dean, Jonathan Ferry, Daniel Fortune, Giovanni Giarratana, Ty Howard, Elisha Kobre, Anna Lashley, Gregory Marshall, Lyndsay Medlin, Stephen Moulton, Ocasha Musah, Scarlett Singleton Nokes, Cara Rice, Brad Robertson, Tara Sarosiek, Jack Selden, Erin Sullivan, Courtlyn Ward, Virginia Wright; 2/28/24As we do every year, this issue revisits the key cases and other developments from the year gone by. And by most metrics, 2023 was a notable year for the False Claims Act (FCA).
How AI will help the world's top hospital CEOs transform health care
02/29/24 at 03:00 AMHow AI will help the world's top hospital CEOs transform health careNewsweek, by Jeff Young; on 2/28/24Artificial intelligence is quickly showing the potential to revolutionize many aspects of care giving, from cancer diagnoses to clerical work. But AI also presents new risks, uncertainties and vexing ethical questions. With the release of Newsweek's ranking of the "World's Best Hospitals," executives at leading hospitals around the world told us how they are using the power of AI.
Surgeon shares biggest lesson: ‘Never underestimate the power of hope'
02/29/24 at 03:00 AMSurgeon shares biggest lesson: ‘Never underestimate the power of hope Mofitt Cancer Center, by Corrie Pellegrino; 2/27/24An Interview with Dr. Monica Avila. ...[Question] What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from a patient?[Response] I think the biggest lesson is to never underestimate the power of hope and the power of the patients’ will to live. I’ve had patients literally placed on hospice care who I have taken to the operating room, had successful optimal debulking for ovarian cancer and who are living life right now after chemotherapy. So I never underestimate patients’ ability to keep going and keep living.
How death doulas support entire families
02/29/24 at 03:00 AMHow death doulas support entire familiesCure, by Alex Biese; 2/27/24... Death doulas, also known as end-of-life doulas, “provide companionship, comfort, and guidance to those facing a terminal illness or death” via non-medical holistic support encompassing “emotional, spiritual, and practical care,” according to the International End-of-Life Doula Association.
The best changes 32 healthcare leaders made this year
02/29/24 at 02:10 AMThe best changes 32 healthcare leaders made this year Becker's Payer Issues, by Rylee Wilson; 2/27/24Question: What is one change you made in the last two years that had great results?Leaders in the payer space are making changes to simplify members' experiences, improve equity and level-up the way their teams work together. The 32 leaders featured in this article, part of an ongoing series, [answered this question].
Racial differences in shared decision-making about critical illness
02/28/24 at 03:00 AMRacial differences in shared decision-making about critical illnessJAMA Intern Med, by Deepshikha C. Ashana, MD, MBA, MS; Whitney Welsh, PhD; Doreet Preiss, PhD; et al; published online 2/26/24Question: How do critical care clinicians approach shared decision-making with Black compared with White caregivers of critically ill patients?Findings: In a thematic analysis of 39 audio-recorded clinician-caregiver meetings, racial differences were most evident in the following clinician behaviors: providing emotional support to caregivers, acknowledging trust and gratitude expressed by caregivers, disclosing medical information, and validating caregivers' treatment preferences.
Communicating with patients with hearing loss or deafness—Can you hear me?
02/28/24 at 03:00 AMCommunicating with patients with hearing loss or deafness—Can you hear me? JAMA Intern Med, by Dianne P. O'Leary, PhD and Timothy J. O'Leary, PhD, MD... Virtually all health care professionals want to provide the best possible care and to communicate as effectively as possible. However, ... frequent communication failures are leading to inferior care for the hearing impaired. Effective communication might require some or all of the approaches listed in [this article].
The future of end-of-life care: How advanced directives are revolutionizing patient autonomy
02/28/24 at 03:00 AMThe future of end-of-life care: How advanced directives are revolutionizing patient autonomyBNN, by Mazhar Abbas; 2/23/24Discover hos advanced directives leverage AI, telemedicine, and patient-centered care to empower individuals in making informed end-of-life healthcare decisions, overcoming challenges, and shaping the future of healthcare.
Value-based care now driving home-based primary care growth, experts say
02/28/24 at 03:00 AMValue-based care now driving home-based primary care growth, experts sayMcKnights Home Care, by Adam Healy; 2/27/24When Independence at Home (IAH), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ home-based primary care initiative, concluded at the end of 2023, after more than a decade, it marked the end of an era. Over the period of the model, the rise of value-based care has given providers a wealth of opportunities to bring primary care into patients’ homes.
4 key trends for hospices to watch in 2024
02/28/24 at 02:00 AM4 key trends for hospices to watch in 2024 Hospice News, by Jim Parker; 2/26/24Hospice operators in 2024 are navigating a rapidly transforming environment. Four key trends hospices should watch this year:
What to expect from your language services provider during CMS test call season
02/28/24 at 01:30 AMWhat to expect from your language services provider during CMS test call seasonMedCity News, by Kristin Quinlan; 2/26/24 Part of the CMS Star Ratings program, the Accuracy & Accessibility Study includes test calls designed to measure the accuracy of the information provided to a prospective beneficiary as well as the accessibility of interpreters in French, Spanish, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Tagalog. The test callers ask a series of questions related to the plan’s policy; success depends, in part, on accuracy of the information provided and availability of interpreters.
C-suites, clinicians are burning out at both ends
02/26/24 at 03:30 AMC-suites, clinicians are burning out at both endsBecker's Hospital Review, by Alexis Kayser; 2/22/24C-suite leaders and clinicians often feel they are on opposite sides of an ever-expanding chasm. But they actually have a lot in common, according to Bruce Cummings and Paul DeChant, MD — a former executive and a former practicing physician, respectively, and perhaps an unlikely pair. Executives and physicians are both knowledge workers. Both are trained to spot and solve problems. Both crave the autonomy to fix those problems — but often, neither feels they truly have it. Both are far strides from the bright-eyed, difference-driven graduates they once were. Both are exhausted, and neither really knows how to talk about it.
The employment outlook for hospice aides
02/26/24 at 03:25 AMThe employment outlook for hospice aidesHospice News, by Holly Vossel; 2/23/24Rising wages, reimbursement pressures and immigration policies are fueling high turnover rates for hospice and personal care aides. Similar trends are proliferating among hospitals and health systems that provide these services. Current reimbursement structures for aide services represent the most significant challenge in maintaining a sufficient workforce, according to Kenneth Albert, president and CEO of Maine-based Androscoggin Home Healthcare + Hospice.
Making a case for palliative care: Creating less stressful and timelier transitions to hospice
02/26/24 at 03:00 AMMaking a case for palliative care: Creating less stressful and timelier transitions to hospiceHealthcare Tech Outlook, by Sarah DiPadova, MSN; 2/21/24When patients and their families hear the word "hospice," they panic. Misconceptions, myths and lack of education about what hospice is have resulted in patients being admitted to hospice later in the dying process than recommended. Because of this delay, quality care and valuable support are also delayed. A referral to palliative care could be the key to ensuring a timelier transition into hospice for patients and their families.Editor's Note: Sarah DiPadova, MSN, is the Director of Clinical Operattions for Hospice and Palliative Care Programs at Redeemer Health
New outlook report shows home-based care providers bullish on near-term revenue opportunities in the year ahead
02/23/24 at 03:00 AMNew outlook report shows home-based care providers bullish on near-term revenue opportunities in the year aheadWTWH Media LLC, by Marshall Matheson; 2/20/24Home Health Care News, a WTWH Media publication, has released the results of its 2024 Home-Based Care Outlook Survey, identifying the top challenges and opportunities for home-based care providers in the year ahead.
Mental health service integration in hospice organizations: A national survey of hospice clinicians and medical leadership
02/23/24 at 03:00 AM
Hospice vs. palliative care in Tucson: Which one is right for you and your loved ones?
02/22/24 at 03:55 AMHospice vs. Palliative Care in Tucson: Which One Is Right for You and Your Loved Ones?AzFoothills.com, 2/20/24 ... Choosing between hospice and palliative care can seem overwhelming, especially when you're trying to make the best decision for someone you love. There are some distinctions between these two types of care. Here, we discuss some of those differences to guide you in choosing the proper care for a loved one.
Embodied decisions unfolding over time: a meta-ethnography systematic review of people with cancer's reasons for delaying or declining end-of-life care
02/21/24 at 03:05 AMEmbodied decisions unfolding over time: a meta-ethnography systematic review of people with cancer's reasons for delaying or declining end-of-life careBMC Palliat Care, by Jessica Young, Antonia Lyons, Richard Egan, and Kevin Dew; 2/19/24Conclusions: Decisions about when (and for some, whether at all) to accept end-of-life care are made in a complex system with preferences shifting over time, in relation to the embodied experience of life-limiting cancer. Time is central to patients' end-of-life care decision-making. ... The integration of palliative care across the cancer care trajectory and earlier introduction of end-of-life care highlight the importance of these findings for improving access whilst recognising that accessing end-of-life care will not be desired by all patients.
Redefining end-of-life care: Stories of compassion and innovation
02/20/24 at 03:00 AMRedefining end-of-life care: Stories of compassion and innovationBNN, by Waqas Arain; 2/18/24In the heart of compassionate care and the challenging journey of end-of-life situations, two remarkable healthcare professionals stand out for their dedication and innovative approaches to palliative support. Teresa Hovatter, a Community Liaison with Grane Hospice, and Kirsty Lazenby, an organ donation nurse at Royal Stoke's Critical Care Unit, have each been recognized for their exceptional efforts in providing comfort, dignity, and support to terminally ill patients and their families. Their stories, though distinct, converge on a singular mission: to transform the end-of-life experience into one of peace, understanding, and meaningful closure.
Rural hospital alliance aims to increase access via telehealth
02/20/24 at 03:00 AMRural hospital alliance aims to increase access via telehealthModern Healthcare, by Alex Kacik; 2/14/24Rural hospitals are teaming up to provide specialty care to patients via a new telehealth program. Editor's Note: Full access to the article requires a subscription.
Health system C-suites' buzzword for 2024
02/20/24 at 03:00 AMHealth system C-suites' buzzword for 2024Becker's Hospital Review, by Laura Dyrda; 2/15/24The last year, 2023, was the year of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Top executives from hospitals and health systems large and small dove deep into ways AI could make their organizations more efficient and elevate patient care. While AI will stay a top priority over the next year, a new buzz word is on the tip of health system C-suite executives' tongues: partnerships. But not just any partnerships. Unique, innovative and outside-the-box partnerships will be essential for hospitals to thrive.
Looking at the challenges involving hospice care
02/20/24 at 02:15 AMLooking at the challenges involving hospice careNPR WOSU PBS, podcast by All Sides with Anna Staver; 2/19/24Hospice care prioritizes comfort and quality of life by reducing pain and suffering for patients facing the end of life. However, physicians are voicing concerns about a prevalence of serious deficiencies in hospice care and believe it is in need of fixing.Host: Mike Thompson, WOSU chief content director of radioGuests: Dr. Ira Byock, palliative care physician and advocate; Dr. Jennifer Hirsh, hospice & palliative medicine specialist, Mt. CarmelEditor's Note: Originally aired 7/24/23; reposted 2/19/24
Reduced federal share may force state Medicaid programs to cut services, HCBS expert says
02/20/24 at 02:00 AMReduced federal share may force state Medicaid programs to cut services, HCBS expert saysMcKnights Home Care, by Adam Healy; 2/15/24The Congressional Budget Office this month released its “Budget and Economic Outlook” report for the coming decade. In its report, CBO predicted a roughly $58 billion drop in federal Medicaid outlays for 2024 compared to 2023 — a 9% decrease in federal Medicaid spending, due in part to fewer beneficiaries on states’ Medicaid rolls. Reduced Medicaid outlays ... has placed an even greater strain on states to pay for these Medicaid programs, according to Damon Terzaghi, director of Medicaid HCBS for the National Association for Home Care & Hospice.
'A blessing': Sarasota family shares importance of hospice care after losing 5-year-old to cancer
02/20/24 at 01:00 AM'A blessing': Sarasota family shares importance of hospice care after losing 5-year-old to cancerCBS News 10 Tampa Bay, by Jenny Dean; 2/16/24While the average time in hospice is 70-80 days, some people defy the odds. And that's largely due to the changes in hospice care over the years. A Sarasota family knows how difficult that decision can be. They lost their 5-year-old daughter to cancer and now say hospice care is something they wish they would have gotten sooner.