Literature Review
All posts tagged with “Palliative Care Provider News | Utilization.”
Enhancing palliative care integration in the Cardiac Surgical Intensive Care Unit: A multidisciplinary quality improvement project
11/22/25 at 03:30 AMEnhancing palliative care integration in the Cardiac Surgical Intensive Care Unit: A multidisciplinary quality improvement projectAmerican Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; by Crystal Hope Bennett Schiano; 10/25The rate of unmet palliative care (PC) needs is high in critical care areas, especially in the surgical patient population, where PC involvement is notoriously late in the patient’s clinical progression. This quality improvement project aimed to evaluate the ability of education, workflow delineation, and an evidence-based assessment tool to improve the integration of PC in a cardiac surgical intensive care unit (TICU). The intervention included education, workflow delineation, and an evidence-based frailty assessment (FA) implementation. The outcomes of this project were similar to those of the existing literature, further revealing that ICUs are challenging care settings in which to connect patients with PC for the first time. Future studies on the effects of FA in the cardiac surgical patient population are warranted to find the most appropriate settings for assessment and associated interventions based on identifying a patient’s frailty.
Unique ethical dilemmas occur in long-term care settings: Staff need ethics resources
11/21/25 at 03:00 AMUnique ethical dilemmas occur in long-term care settings: Staff need ethics resources Medical Ethics Advisor; by Stacey Kusterbeck; online ahead of print 12/1/25 issue ... “The position paper was developed in response to concerns from our members about the ethical challenges of the changing environment in long-term services,” says Jason M. Goldman, MD, MACP, president of the American College of Physicians. ... Discharge disposition, communication issues (either among the clinical team or between clinicians and parents), behavior problems, and goals of care were the top ethical issues reported. Lack of caregiver support was another frequent unique ethical concern. Editor's Note: Your hospice is in a unique role to provide ethics trainings for end-of-life care, and thus building trust, clinical best practices, and referrals. The CMS Hospice Conditions of Participation require: Hospices That Provide Hospice Care to Residents of a SNF/NF or ICF/MR (§ 418.112) (f) Standard: Orientation and training of staff. Finally, this rule requires a hospice to assure the orientation of SNF/NF and ICF/MR staff caring for hospice patients. Staff orientation must address the following topics: hospice philosophy; hospice policies regarding patient comfort methods, pain control, and symptom management; principles about death and dying; individual responses to death; patient rights; appropriate forms; and record keeping requirements.
Providing specialised palliative care to families with ethnic minority background: Perspectives, experiences, and approaches
11/20/25 at 03:00 AMProviding specialised palliative care to families with ethnic minority background: Perspectives, experiences, and approaches Omega (Westport); by Josefine Maria Bruun, Mikkel Rytter, Jahan Shabnam, Morten Sodemann, Mogens Grønvold, Merete Paludan, Mathilde Adsersen, Jesper Grau Eriksen, Mette Asbjoern Neergaard; 11/17/25 online ahead of print ... While some participants employed informal strategies of cross-cultural palliative care, these were rarely grounded in formal training or guidelines. We therefore recommend the integration of ongoing cultural humility training into the education of palliative care professionals to better support equitable and responsive care in diverse clinical settings.
End-of-life palliative care: Role of the family physician
11/20/25 at 03:00 AMEnd-of-life palliative care: Role of the family physician American Family Physician (AFP); by Tamara L. McGregor, MD, MA, Jared Morphew, MD, and Heather Ann Dalton, MD; 11/25 issue To care for patients at the end of life, family physicians should be able to evaluate the causes of symptoms, differentiate between distressing symptoms and common end-of-life changes, and balance treatment effectiveness with potential adverse effects, while ensuring alignment with the patient's values and wishes. Editor's Note: What networking, relationship-building, and education do you nurture with family physicians in your service areas?
States’ promising practices to improve care of serious illness
11/20/25 at 03:00 AMStates’ promising practices to improve care of serious illness National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP); by Stacie Sinclair (Center to Advance Palliative Care) and Wendy Fox-Grage; 11/17/25 Every state has taken meaningful action in some capacity to improve care for residents facing serious illness, affirms a recent publication from the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC). The report documents how states are using a wide array of policy levers — such as legislation, Medicaid innovation, public education, and workforce development — to improve access to and quality of palliative care.
Grateful patient finds strength and support through UConn Health’s ALS Program
11/20/25 at 03:00 AMGrateful patient finds strength and support through UConn Health’s ALS Program UConn Today; by Jennifer Walker; 11/17/25 ... ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord responsible for muscle movement. ... Originally conceptualized by Dr. Amanda Hernandez, division chief of Neuromuscular Medicine, the UConn Health ALS and MD Program provides a “one-stop shop” for patients with progressive neuromuscular diseases that often require coordination across multiple specialties. ... “Our social worker meets every patient,” said Viguera Altolaguirre. “We address caregiver stress, financial barriers, and emotional coping. Palliative care helps patients navigate difficult decisions about feeding tubes, ventilation, and future planning—always at their own pace and comfort level.”
Balancing caregiving and personal well-being: The role of palliative care
11/19/25 at 03:00 AMBalancing caregiving and personal well-being: The role of palliative care WISHTV.com-8, Indianapolis, IN; by Alfonso Ruvalcaba Trujillo; 11/17/25 Nearly 60 million Americans are providing unpaid care for loved ones facing serious illness, often without the necessary support, according to recent reports. ... Dr. Michael Gabriel, National Medical Director for Carelon Palliative Care, explains that palliative care offers an extra layer of support alongside regular medical treatment, focusing on improving quality of life by addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
UofL oncology social work expert leads national effort to transform cancer patient support
11/19/25 at 03:00 AMUofL oncology social work expert leads national effort to transform cancer patient support The Lane Report, Louisville, KY; by Holly Hinson; 11/17/25 ... Tara Schapmire, an associate professor in the University of Louisville (UofL) Department of Medicine, Division of Palliative Medicine, and an associate professor at the UofL Kent School of Social Work and Family Science, has worked decades to help individuals and families impacted by cancer. Schapmire was recently awarded a five-year, $1.6 million grant from NCI to lead a national training initiative aimed at transforming psychosocial and palliative care in oncology. The grant will support an intensive training and mentorship program, and 50 social workers from across the U.S. will be competitively selected each year to receive fully funded palliative oncology training and structured mentorship.
Telehealth survives again: What the most recent flexibility extension means for providers
11/19/25 at 03:00 AMTelehealth survives again: What the most recent flexibility extension means for providers JD Supra; by Conor Duffy and Danielle Tangorre; 11/17/25 On November 12, 2025, President Trump signed H.R. 5371 the “Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction, and Veterans Affairs and Extensions Act, 2026” (the Act). The Act ended the federal government shutdown by providing necessary funding; it also extends key Medicare telehealth flexibilities to January 30, 2026. ... This represents another short-term extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities that will again need to be revisited in January 2026. ... Medicare Telehealth Flexibilities Extended by the Act [include]:
Sage advice on aging and dying from a Colorado geriatrician
11/18/25 at 03:00 AMSage advice on aging and dying from a Colorado geriatrician CPR News; by Andrea Dukakis; 11/17/25 Geriatricians – doctors trained to treat older adults – are a scarce commodity across the country and in Colorado. The state has about a million residents aged 65 and older and, according to the most recent data available, only 110 geriatricians. ... Here are five things we learned about aging from Dr. Erika Altneu, a geriatrician in Salida:
VITAS Healthcare expands hospice care in Florida, now serving Pinellas County
11/18/25 at 03:00 AMVITAS Healthcare expands hospice care in Florida, now serving Pinellas County PR Newswire, St. Petersburg, FL; by VITAS Healthcare; 11/17/25 ... On Nov. 14, VITAS began accepting hospice-eligible patient referrals in Pinellas County, ensuring that residents in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Tarpon Springs and surrounding communities have access to expert care close to home. ... The company also began serving Marion County in May 2025.
VITAS Healthcare hosts free CME/CE webinar for healthcare professionals during National Care at Home Month
11/17/25 at 03:00 AMVITAS Healthcare hosts free CME/CE webinar for healthcare professionals during National Care at Home Month PR Newswire, Miramar, FL; by VITAS Healthcare; 11/12/25 In honor of National Care at Home Month, VITAS Healthcare, the nation's leading provider of end-of-life care, invites healthcare professionals to a free, accredited webinar titled, "From Cure to Comfort: The Hospice Journey to What Matters Most." The virtual event will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, from 1–2:30 p.m. ET / 10–11:30 a.m. PT.
United Way helps Hospice in the Pines bring care to all
11/17/25 at 03:00 AMUnited Way helps Hospice in the Pines bring care to all The Lufkin Daily News, Lufkin, TX; by Ruben Ibarra, Jr.; 11/15/25 For nearly four decades, Hospice in the Pines has offered end-of-life care with compassion to hundreds of families each year. Now approaching its 40th anniversary, the nonprofit continues to provide care to patients across 12 counties, with crucial support from the United Way of Angelina County helping fill the gaps for those who cannot afford care. ... Through the United Way, Hospice in the Pines receives funding that directly supports charity care for uninsured patients. Each year, the nonprofit provides more than $250,000 worth of medical services and equipment to individuals who have no Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance coverage, making sure patients receive the same level of care as any other.
Navigating choice: Eating, drinking and decision-making at end of life for individuals with cognitive impairment
11/15/25 at 03:40 AMNavigating choice: Eating, drinking and decision-making at end of life for individuals with cognitive impairmentJournal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology; by Laura Chahdaa, Druvni Pererab, Darcy Longc, Laura Knauerb, Sanora Yonand; 10/25Current clinical guidelines offer limited direction for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) supporting eating and drinking decisions in palliative care (PC), particularly for individuals with dysphagia and co-occurring cognitive impairment. This population presents unique clinical, ethical and interpersonal challenges that often fall outside existing frameworks such as ‘Eating and Drinking with Acknowledged Risk’. This scoping review explores the key considerations for SLPs involved in end-of-life decisionmaking in these complex cases. A qualitative scoping review was conducted and analysed thematically [and] ... six overarching themes were identified: person-centred care; emotional and relational dynamics; ethical decision-making complexity; medical risk; barriers to effective clinical practice; and legal considerations. Findings reveal inconsistencies in practice and limited guidance for SLPs navigating care for individuals with cognitive impairment at the end of life.
Trends of palliative care utilization for nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage: Analysis of the national inpatient sample
11/15/25 at 03:35 AMTrends of palliative care utilization for nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage: Analysis of the national inpatient sampleJournal of Clinical Neuroscience; by Andrea Loggini, Victor J Del Brutto, Faddi G Saleh Velez, Jonatan Hornik, Denise Battaglini, Shawn S Wallery, Amber Schwertman, Alejandro Hornik, Christos Lazaridis, Adnan I Qureshi; 10/25We investigated the trends and hospital outcome measures associated with the utilization of consultative palliative care (PC) services among patients with nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Of 452,250 ICH cases during the study period, 69,360 (15.3 %) received PC. ... ICH patients receiving PC were older, ...more frequently women, ... White, ... and more likely to be in the highest income quartile ... Conclusions: The use of PC in ICH patients has increased over the past two decades. PC is associated with more efficient healthcare resource utilization and higher odds of discharge to hospice/in-hospital mortality. Disparities in PC utilization persist among underprivileged groups and racial minorities.
Addressing palliative care gaps for rare congenital disease in adults: CM-AVM2 as an example
11/15/25 at 03:30 AMAddressing palliative care gaps for rare congenital disease in adults: CM-AVM2 as an exampleJournal of Pain & Symptom Management; by Matthew W Kenaston, Ryan Baldeo, Tyler K Murphy; 10/25Capillary malformation-arteriovenous malformation type 2 (CM-AVM2) is a rare vascular disorder marked by complex, progressive symptoms and limited treatment options. As more individuals with rare diseases reach adulthood, palliative care plays an essential role in supporting quality of life when disease-directed therapies begin to fail. We present a young adult male with EPHB4-positive CM-AVM2, transferred to our tertiary care center for progressive malnutrition, refractory diarrhea, and worsening abdominal pain despite extensive subspecialty care. Through medication optimization, dynamic communication, and consistent interdisciplinary collaboration, the [palliative care] team helped stabilize aspects of his comfort and gradually facilitated GOC [goals of care] discussions. We further discuss how palliative care in this setting differs from standard frameworks, requiring proactive use of disease-specific resources and protracted, anticipatory care planning to optimize quality of life.
Home-based psilocybin-assisted therapy for a patient with advanced cancer: A case report
11/15/25 at 03:05 AMHome-based psilocybin-assisted therapy for a patient with advanced cancer: A case reportPalliative & Supportive Care; by Houman Farzin, Benjamin Koren, Héléna Ferrier, Justin J Sanders, Nicolas Garel; 10/25 Psychospiritual distress affects many patients with cancer, contributing to diminished quality of life, decreased survival and a desire for hastened death. The current standard of care, which primarily consists of antidepressants and psychotherapy, has demonstrated only modest benefits. Psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) has shown evidence of rapid, durable, and significant effects on measures of both depression and anxiety in this patient population. A 51-year-old man diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer, referred to palliative care (PC) with a prognosis of less than 6 months, experienced depression and anxiety in the context of demoralization and existential distress. PAT was well tolerated, with significant decreases in both anxiety and depression [and] the patient subjectively reported a sustained reduction in suffering and improved well-being at 2 months post-intervention.
[France] End-of-life sedation and spousal grief: Exploring bereavement narratives with and without continuous deep sedation
11/15/25 at 03:00 AM[France] End-of-life sedation and spousal grief: Exploring bereavement narratives with and without continuous deep sedationPalliative Care & Social Practice; by Livia Sani, Yasmine Chemrouk, Marthe Ducos, Pascal Gauthier, Marie-Frédérique Bacqué; 10/25This study explored how bereavement experiences differ based on the use of CDSUD [Continuous Deep Sedation Until Death]. Spouses whose partners received CDSUD often reported emotional disruption and unresolved grief, while those without CDSUD described greater relational continuity and a more gradual farewell. Across both groups, the quality of communication, emotional preparedness, and involvement in end-of-life decisions shaped the grieving process. These findings emphasize the emotional complexity of CDSUD, particularly when implemented suddenly or without sufficient explanation. Palliative care teams should prioritize transparent, timely discussions about sedation options and provide tailored emotional support throughout the dying process.
Estimating the number of services & patients receiving specialized palliative care globally in 2025
11/14/25 at 03:00 AMEstimating the number of services & patients receiving specialized palliative care globally in 2025 Journal of Pain and Symptom Management; by Stephen R. Connor PhD, Eduardo Garralda MA, Vilma A. Tripodoro MD, PhD, Carlos Centeno MD, PhD; November 2025 Issue In 2025, the estimated number of specialized palliative care service delivery teams worldwide reached approximately 33,700 - representing a 35.6% increase from the 25,000 identified in 2017. Service delivery expanded across all WHO regions. The estimated number of patients served rose from almost 7 million in 2017 to approximately 10.4 million in 2025. This figure represents roughly 14% of the total global need for palliative care. ...Despite notable growth in service availability, significant disparities persist, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Opportunities to improve end-of-life care in assisted living: Results from a national survey of administrators
11/14/25 at 03:00 AMOpportunities to improve end-of-life care in assisted living: Results from a national survey of administrators The Journal of the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association; by Emmanuelle Belanger, PhD, Nicole Rosendaal, MSc, Michelle L. Rogers, PhD, Tamara A. Sequeira, RN, MSN, Kali S. Thomas, PhDe ∙ Joan M. Teno, MD, MS, Susan L. Hayes, MPAf, Xiao (Joyce) Wang, PhD, Pedro L. Gozalo, PhDa, David M. Dosa, MD, MPHh, Melissa A. Clark, PhD; 11/9/25 Among 4796 eligible assisted living communities invited, 2084 administrators completed the survey from all 48 targeted states, a response rate of 43.4%. ... This national study of administrators highlights important opportunities to improve end-of-life care both as part of assisted living care processes for dying residents and through collaboration with hospice. These novel survey measures will help determine how end-of-life care processes vary along state regulations and shape residents' outcomes.
Home-based care providers reap benefits of palliative care – but broader adoption hinges on reform
11/13/25 at 03:00 AMHome-based care providers reap benefits of palliative care – but broader adoption hinges on reformHome Health Care News; by Joyce Famakinwa; 11/10/25 Home-based providers are seeing tangible benefits from incorporating palliative care services as part of their offerings, but adoption of palliative service lines has remained limited. However, reimbursement and regulatory reform, as well as electronic medical record (EMR) enhancements, can accelerate broader adoption of palliative services. In the process, at-home care providers that diversify into palliative care services can differentiate themselves from their peers and improve the quality of care. For Dr. Kurt Merkelz, chief medical officer at Compassus, the combination of home health and palliative care is a net positive for providers.
Number of ‘solo-agers’ skyrockets, AARP survey finds
11/12/25 at 03:00 AMNumber of ‘solo-agers’ skyrockets, AARP survey finds McKnights Home Care; by Adam Healy; 11/10/25The number of older adults living alone is rising quickly in the United States, but relatively few of these so-called “solo-agers” are confident in their ability to age safely on their own, according to a new survey by AARP.
NCPA and USC launch first publicly available tool to identify pharmacy shortage areas across America
11/12/25 at 03:00 AMNCPA and USC launch first publicly available tool to identify pharmacy shortage areas across America National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), Alexandria, VA; Press Release; 11/4/25 The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), in collaboration with the University of Southern California (USC), unveiled an interactive, user-friendly pharmacy shortage area mapping tool available to the general public for the first time. Previously accessible only to select individuals and organizations, the public [can now] identify pharmacy shortage areas and understand access challenges in their local communities. ... The mapping tool reveals that approximately one in eight U.S. neighborhoods — representing millions of Americans — persistently lack convenient access to pharmacy services. In rural areas and underserved urban communities, the problem is far more severe, with some states and counties experiencing shortage rates approaching 50 percent.
* Care of the dying patient: Maximizing compassionate care on the battlefield
11/11/25 at 03:00 AMCare of the dying patient: Maximizing compassionate care on the battlefield Military Medicine; by Kathryn B Muir, Jeremy Edwards, Rebeccah Dindinger, Benjamin Ingram, Benjamin Baker; 11/9/25... Palliative care has also been employed throughout history on the battlefield and is a vital component of compassionate care for dying patients. Unfortunately, its use on the battlefield is an unpalatable topic with little formal documentation. ... We must prepare now to reduce the pain and suffering of dying patients on the battlefield and potentially mitigate the degree of moral injury sustained by the personnel managing those casualties. Consider ...
Telehealth flexibilities expired. Here's how providers are coping.
11/11/25 at 03:00 AMTelehealth flexibilities expired. Here's how providers are coping. TechTarget - xtelligent Virtual Healthcare; by Anuja Vaidya; 11/10/25 Telehealth flexibilities ended on Sept. 30, forcing providers to halt new virtual visits, risk financial losses or drive hundreds of miles for rural patient care. ... This has not only had a significant impact on the operations and finances of these providers but also led to concerns about the future of telehealth access. ...