Literature Review

Mayo Clinic and Bayesian Health co-develop new AI-powered solution to expand palliative care access and improve patient outcomes PR Newswire, Rochester, MN and New York , NY; by Bayesian Health; 5/19/26Mayo Clinic and Bayesian Health today announced they have co-developed an artificial intelligence (AI) solution to identify hospitalized patients who may benefit from palliative care earlier in their stay. The solution is designed to support timely consultations, with the objective of improving goal-concordant care for patients with serious illness and reducing non-beneficial readmissions.

Children’s Minnesota establishes first endowed chair for pain, palliative care and integrative medicine program BusinessWire, Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN; Press Release; 5/7/26 Children’s Minnesota is pleased to announce a new investment in easing pain and improving comfort for children facing serious illness. Thanks to a generous $2 million gift from the Hanson family, the health system has established its first endowed chair dedicated to pediatric pain, palliative care and integrative medicine. Kris Catrine, MD, medical director of Children’s Minnesota’s pain, palliative care and integrative medicine (PPCIM) program, has been named the inaugural holder of the Hanson Family Endowed Chair in Pain, Palliative Care and Integrative Medicine.

Rural palliative care: Karl Bezak, Jeanie Youngwerth, Adie Goldberg, and Gregg VandekieftGeriPAL podcast; by Eric Widera, Alex Smith, Karl Bezak, Jeanie Youngwerth, Adie Goldberg, Gregg Vandekieft; 4/9/26Rural populations in the United States face unique healthcare challenges. These communities tend to be older, have higher mortality rates, and experience higher rates of chronic conditions and physical disabilities compared to urban populations. Despite the increased need for palliative care in rural areas, access remains alarmingly limited. Even in hospital settings, where palliative care programs are more common in urban areas, only 35% of rural hospitals report having such programs, compared to 81% of urban hospitals.

Unity receives $10,000 grant from the Door County Community Foundation The Chamber Manitowoc County, De Pere, WI; Press Release; 4/28/26 Unity is pleased to announce $10,000 in funding from The Door County Community Foundation on behalf of Bargains Unlimited Charitable Fund and Growing Older Fund to cover costs related to Unity’s palliative program, Supportive Care Management (SCM). As identified through Discuss Door County and reported in the 2023 American Community Survey Demographic and Housing Estimates, Door County is one of the oldest counties in Wisconsin, with 41% of residents age 60 or older and projections approaching 50% by 2030. 

Palliative care loss hits Durango patients The Durango Herald, Durango, CO | Letters to the Editor; by Stacey Ebel; 4/24/26 My emotions are running high after learning about CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital discontinuing their palliative care program. ... My mother moved here in 2020 with numerous health issues, and I enrolled her in palliative care as I knew that at some point she would need to transition to hospice. Her palliative care nurse practitioner, Jen, visited my mother monthly in her apartment ...  Potential and past patients will now have to go to the ER or their personal PCPs for treatment. Recently, the last palliative care nurse had to discharge 200 patients. 

Palliative care for immigrants with cancer in the United States: a roadmap to equitable care Journal of Pain and Symptom Management; by Jessica Zhuo BAc, Cheryl Tolomeo BAc, Anissa Kurani BA, Meaghan Burke BAc, Stephanie Wang BAc, Alice Feng BAc, Yueao Zhang MDc, Edward Christopher Dee MD, Christopher T. Su MD, MPH; 4/8/26 Across the United States, immigrants with cancer, especially those who are undocumented or from low-income backgrounds, encounter significant barriers to accessing quality palliative care. Despite cancer comprising over one-third of global palliative care needs, immigrant patients are often excluded from essential services due to lack of insurance, immigration status, limited English proficiency, and culturally discordant care models. ... This narrative review identifies both patient level and systemic barriers and offers a four-part roadmap to address them. 

Bridging access gaps in pediatric palliative care Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 4/10/26 ... Serious and terminally ill children can have a wide range of complex, unique needs along their illness trajectories, said Dr. Kimberly Curseen, the board president for the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM). Building collaborations with community organizations is key to better understanding the gaps in care that exist across diverse and underserved pediatric patient populations, Curseen indicated.

Connecting palliative care and age‑friendly care to support what matters most Institute for Healthcare Improvement; by Marian Grant; 4/8/26 ... The 4Ms Framework of an Age-Friendly Health System identifies the core subjects that should drive the care of older adults. The 4Ms (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility) align with the approach of palliative care teams and are part of their comprehensive assessment. Age-friendly leaders and team members can use the expertise of palliative care colleagues to implement the 4Ms. Editor's Note: Click here for a great graphic of this "4Ms Framework." It states, "For related work, this graphic may be used in its entirety without requesting permission. Graphic files and guidance at www.ihi.org/AgeFriendly.

Expanded palliative care program in Dubuque addresses a 'significant need' Telegraph Herald; by Grace Burwell; 3/28/26 A “meant to be” collaboration between two Dubuque providers is offering the local aging population expanded palliative support. UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital and Hospice of Dubuque recently launched an expanded palliative care program, bringing three nurse practitioners to the Dubuque hospital. Lavonne Noel, executive director of Hospice of Dubuque, said the new resource sprung out of “more need than ever before. It’s more important than ever that we work together in the health care environment right now, so we’re excited to join forces and collaborate on this."

3 potential policy options for high-acuity palliative services Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 3/24/26 The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) is considering new policy options to expand access to high-acuity palliative services for hospice patients. The treatments under exploration include palliative radiation, chemotherapy, dialysis and blood transfusions. Though these treatments can aid in palliation, patients often do not receive them due to high costs and questions as to whether they fall within the scope of the Medicare Hospice Benefit. To identify potential approaches, MedPAC conducted a literature review, stakeholder interviews, site visits and data analyses. 

Hospice of Humboldt announces $250,000 matching gift My Humboldt Life, Eureka, CA; 3/15/26 Hospice of Humboldt is pleased to announce a $250,000 matching gift from the owners of Premier Financial Group to support the continued growth of its Home-Based Palliative Care program. ... Launched in 2022, Hospice of Humboldt’s Home-Based Palliative Care program currently serves 70 patients and meeting the next fundraising goal will allow them to expand to 140 individuals. “Nearly 30 years ago, our founders set out to model how organizations can invest meaningfully in their communities through a strong culture of giving,” said Wayne Caldwell, CFP®, Chairman of the Board and Founder of Premier Financial Group. 

Palliative care and its importance on Block Island The Block Island Times, Block Island, RI; by Laurie Anderson, APRN-C, CDOE; 3/6/26 ... On Block Island, [Rhode Island,] palliative care is a cornerstone of a plan to allow residents to age in place. ... On Block Island, the importance of palliative care is magnified by geography. With no inpatient hospital and limited access to specialty services, island residents often rely on local care combined with strong coordination to meet complex health needs. ... One of the most meaningful local commitments to palliative and end-of-life care on Block Island is the Livesey Endowment for Palliative and End of Life Care, established through Block Island Health Services. ... In our small, close-knit island community, palliative care also serves a broader social purpose. It helps preserve independence, reduces unnecessary hospital transfers, and honors patients’ wishes to remain connected to their homes, families, and community. 

Hawaii Care Choices expands palliative care services to N. Hawaii West Hawaii Today; Press Release; 3/8/26 Hawaii Care Choices has expanded of its Kupu Palliative Care Program into North Hawaii, “increasing access to compassionate, patient-centered care for individuals living with serious illness and the families who care for them,” according to a press release. Kupu Palliative Care is now available through a dedicated clinic space located within the North Hawaii Hospice office. This will extend palliative care services to those living in Hamakua, Waimea, as well as North and South Kohala.