Literature Review

Scientists reveal that nearly all older Americans follow one of nine trajectories in their last three years of life SciTechDaily, by Rutgers University; 3/2/24A Rutgers Health analysis of millions of Medicare records has laid the groundwork for improving end-of-life care by demonstrating that nearly all older Americans follow one of nine trajectories in their last three years of life. “Identifying which paths people actually take is a necessary precursor to identifying which factors send different people down different paths and designing interventions that send more people down whatever path is right for them,” said Olga Jarrín, the Hunterdon Professor of Nursing Research at Rutgers and corresponding author of the study published in BMC Geriatrics.

Atlanta’s health care system is strained by major hospital’s closing, doctors and patients sayNBC News, by Bracey Harris and J.J. McCorvey; 2/7/24At Emory University Hospital Midtown in downtown Atlanta, two mobile pods have been stationed outside the emergency room. Doctors have been called in during extra busy “surge” times, and an administrator described patients on stretchers lining the halls. ... Nearby, Grady Memorial Hospital is so packed that ambulance traffic is sometimes routed to facilities miles away. ... These are the aftershocks from the closing in 2022 of Atlanta Medical Center in a city that already struggled to meet demand for services and provide accessible care. 

‘You can complain about it, or lean in’: Top home health leaders brace for 2024Home Health Care News, by Joyce Famakinwa; 1/19/24With the start of a new year, home health leaders are looking ahead, and identifying their top priorities. Some of these areas of focus will directly address last year’s challenges, and some are proactive measures that will place them ahead. At Bayada Home Health Care, these priorities include focusing on the employee experience, as well as clinical model evolution.

Sustainability of our healthcare system; Day 2 notes from the 42nd annual J.P. Morgan healthcare conference LexBlog, by Eric Klein; 1/10/24Sustainability of our healthcare system was an interesting topic at Day 2 of the 42nd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. Paul Markovich, CEO of Blue Shield of California, expressed the concern that “[T]he status quo is an existential threat to our healthcare system.” Markovich is worried that the healthcare system is losing the public’s trust – which will make it harder to effectively fix our system – while also not delivering the quality of care and accessibility needed by our population. 

West Monroe’s 3 healthcare outlooks for 2024: AI, cost pressures, dealmakingMedCityNews, by Marissa Plescia; 12/29/23 In a recent report, consulting firm West Monroe laid out three trends for the healthcare industry to watch out for:

Mercy medical record transition heats up in bankruptcy courtThe Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA)December 22, 2023Iowa City, IA—Among the complexities of a Mercy Iowa City bankruptcy sale to the University of Iowa is the transition of its electronic medical system—with any gap or abrupt termination of system operations posing “significant” threat to Mercy and its patients. 

Largest nursing home in St. Louis closes suddenly, forcing out 170 residentsAssociated PressDecember 18, 2023St. Louis, MO—The largest skilled nursing facility in St. Louis has closed suddenly, forcing about 170 residents to be bused to other care centers. Many left with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. The abrupt shutdown of Northview Village Nursing Home on Friday came after workers learned they might not be paid and walked out, confusing residents and their relatives. Many family members gathered through the day Saturday outside the facility on the city’s north side. Some didn’t immediately know where their loved ones were taken. 

New Analysis Shows How Unaffordable Home Care Is Becoming For American SeniorsHome Health Care NewsDecember 4, 2023Most Americans will need some sort of in-home care support as they age. The issue is that many of them cannot afford it. ... Only 14% of American seniors can afford to do so [pay for personal care services], however, according to a new analysis conducted by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.