Literature Review

LECOM Health opens Erie County's first specialty hospice unit Erie Times-News, Erie, PA; by David Bruce; 11/15/24 Erie County will soon have its first specifically designed medical unit for end-of-life care when LECOM Nursing and Rehabilitation Center opens its Visiting Nurses Association Specialty Hospice Unit later this month. Until now, local hospice patients who require a higher level of medical care than what can be provided at home usually lived their final days at a nursing home or hospital. The reluctance to open a dedicated hospice unit in Erie County is due to operating costs, Lin said. State laws require each unit to have a medical director and registered nurses, and the reimbursement for hospice care makes it difficult to cover those costs if there are fewer than four or five patients at a time. "Since this unit is part of the Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, we can share the medical director and registered nurses," Lin said.

CMS ramps up efforts to root out ‘door knocker’ hospice schemes Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 11/15/24 The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently elaborated on its plans to expand public education campaigns designed to help protect hospice beneficiaries from fraudulent actors in the space. ... “One of the areas we’re working with right now is to enhance education — beneficiary education specifically,” Pryor said during a recent CMS webinar. “We have hospice beneficiaries who are unfortunately fraudulently signed up for the benefit in these kind of, what we call, ‘door knocker scams.’” The scams include bad actors reaching out to beneficiaries with offers of free goods and services, such as groceries, TVs, reclining chairs and furniture, Pryor explained. The fraudulent marketing tactics are posing significant complications for Medicare beneficiaries, he said.

Carolina Caring celebrates fourth graduating class of CNA Training and Job Placement Program Focus, Newton, NC; 11/13/24 On the evening of Thursday, October 24th, Carolina Caring recognized the seven graduates of its latest Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Training and Job Placement Program. ... This state-approved CNA Training Program runs for eight weeks at Carolina Caring’s Newton campus on 3975 Robinson Road. Led by licensed nursing instructors, these courses provide expert hands-on education which prepares students to pass the intensive North Carolina Nurse Aide certification exam. Students receive financial aid throughout the program, and all graduates who successfully complete their certifications are offered positions with Carolina Caring. ... “Carolina Caring blessed me by selecting me for this program and providing me with an opportunity that I otherwise would not have been able to financially invest in at this current moment,” said Allison Ackley, class valedictorian. “They poured into me, and so I’m going to be pouring back into them.”Editor's note from Carolina Caring's website: "In 1979, Carolina Caring was established as one of North Carolina’s original three hospice providers. We were a small group of grassroots volunteers with a mission: to help our parents, grandparents and neighbors walk through their final moments with dignity and respect." We congratulate you on this innovative, mission-driven educational and staffing initiative.

TCN Anatomy of Leadership: Caring for Others with David Levy - Every interaction is an opportunityTeleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast by Chris Comeaux; 9/11/24In this episode of the Anatomy of Leadership podcast, David Levy, Professor of Management at the United States Air Force Academy, explores the concept of leadership and the importance of every interaction as an opportunity. The dialogue delves into an array of intriguing subjects such as the Air Force Academy's unique design, the “Masters of the Air” series, and Malcolm Gladwell's book, The Bomber Mafia. David Levy also discusses the importance of belonging, agency, and efficacy in leadership and how these concepts can contribute to the well-being of individuals and organizations. The conversation explores the importance of competence and context in performance, as well as the critical need for belonging in organizations. It introduces the concept of the Lens X, which consists of the needs of belonging, agency, and efficacy, and the narratives that shape our experiences.Editor's note: Continuing to honor this week's Veterans Day awareness, we thank David Levy for his service and leadership. Teleios Collaborative Network is a sponsor for our newsletter. 

Sioux City’s first Caregiver Olympics celebrates home care KCAU Sioux City; by Alyssa Tatsch; 11/7/24 November is National Care at Home Month, and to celebrate, several local healthcare organizations came together to participate in Sioux City’s first Caregiver Olympics. “I was watching the Olympics this summer and I was thinking of something fun to do with our caregiving team,” Visiting Angels owner and director Kristen Hammerstrom said. “Then I was at a meeting with some of the other [home care organizations] and I floated the idea to them and they said ‘that would be awesome.’” In honor of National Hospice and Palliative Care month, nine Sioux City caregiving teams went head-to-head competing in a relay race with specialized in-home care tasks. ... “As much as it is difficult to be a caregiver, it is also difficult for these employees too to help and take care of families, so this is just our light heartfelt fun moment to help people,” Hospice of Siouxland marketing & fund director Kim Wilson said. Despite the friendly competitive atmosphere, all nine teams shared one common goal. “While we might be competitors, at the end of the day our main goal is to care for patients and make sure that our patients and their loved ones are taken care of. That is our main goal,” Wilson said.

Adopting tomorrow’s tech: 5 steps to effective AI training in hospice Hospice News; by Mick Stahlberg; 11/7/24 In today’s hospice environment, providers are continually asked to do more with less. Staffing shortages, rising costs and growing patient demands make efficiency a critical component of success. Enter artificial intelligence (AI). From automating administrative tasks to improving scheduling and optimizing resource allocation, AI is poised to significantly enhance operational efficiency at every level. In turn, proper training will play a monumental role in helping teams get comfortable incorporating this technology into their clinical and administrative workflows from day one. Providers will be best served to follow 5 key steps to effective AI training as they work with their technology partners to articulate a comprehensive strategy based on their organization and its unique needs. These steps incorporate:

Virtual nursing results at 8 systems: 24 stats to know Becker's Clinical Leadership; by Paige Twenter; 11/4/24 Faced with a shortage of nurses, a rise in high-acuity cases and an increase in labor spend, hospitals and health systems have turned to virtual nursing programs for solutions. Here are 24 statistics tied to virtual nursing models, according to Becker's reporting:

Top News Stories of the Month Oct 2024 - TCN Podcast  TCN Talks - Teleios Collaborative Network; by Chris Comeaux; 11/6/24 In this episode of TCNtalks, Chris Comeaux and Mark Cohen explore the latest developments in Hospice Care for September and October.  They discuss the impact of Hurricane Helene, significant legislative proposals, and current trends in mergers and acquisitions.  Emphasizing the value of trusted sources like Hospice and Palliative Care Today, they examine critical topics, including reimbursement challenges, regulatory issues, and workforce dynamics in the Hospice sector. Together, Chris and Mark address a range of pressing healthcare issues, such as supply chain disruptions, the role of technology, leadership dynamics, community health concerns, and effective communication during natural disasters.  They underscore the importance of staying informed, adapting to change, and the need for proactive leadership to navigate the complexities of today’s healthcare landscape. To further support healthcare professionals in responding to crises, Mark presents a masterclass: "Effective Communication During Natural Disasters." 

How Zoom is expanding its role in healthcare Modern Healthcare; by Hayley Desilva; 11/1/24 Zoom, a company that rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, is looking to expand its presence in healthcare through artificial intelligence.  The company recently announced plans to incorporate ambient AI documentation technology from digital health company Suki in its clinical platform. Zoom plans to use the ambient AI technology, which turns a recording of a doctor-patient conversation into usable clinical notes in the electronic health record, for virtual and in-person visits.  ... Here's a closer look at Zoom's history in healthcare and where it plans to go next.

Local hospice care offers services The Tribune, Seymour, IN; by Chey Smith; 11/1/24 St. Croix Hospice has recently expanded its reach locally to those in the community who need the resources they provide, ... The firm provides hospice care throughout the Midwest including three other branches in Indiana — Jeffersonville, Newburgh and Indianapolis. While in Seymour, they are able to serve Jackson County as well as those residents from Bartholomew, Brown, Jennings, Lawrence, Monroe, Scott and Washington counties. Caregivers at each hospice location live in the communities they serve, allowing in-person care for patients whenever they need it. Services are available nights, weekends and holidays. Chris Thomas, regional director of clinical operations at St. Croix’s Indiana locations, talked about the importance of this closeness and flexibility. “We wanted to move to this location because we wanted to service the local community,” Thomas said. “Try to stay closer to the community for faster response time.” This phase of someone’s life can be scary, but Thomas says that it doesn’t have to be that way. “People are scared when they hear the word hospice. We just want to let the community know that it’s okay. It doesn’t mean you’re giving up,” he said. “We really want to focus on the time they have left.”

Future-proofing healthcare: Upskilling the workforce to meet tomorrow’s challenges Healthcare Business Today; by Chris Trout; 11/4/24 A surgical technician recently told me, “We’re constantly helping people.” This simple yet powerful sentiment captures the essence of what healthcare workers ... focus on every day. However, the healthcare industry is undergoing profound changes that will shape its future over the next decade and beyond. These changes, driven by workforce shortages, AI and technological advancements, and shifting skill demands, have the potential to either enhance or burden healthcare systems. ... One of the most significant forces driving change is the shortage of healthcare workers, especially in critical areas like nursing. ...  The replacement cost for a nurse is estimated to be between $40,000 and $60,000, covering recruitment, temporary staffing and lost productivity. But these numbers don’t account for the consequences of staffing shortages: diminished patient care, declining morale and increasing mental health challenges among overworked staff. Despite these challenges, healthcare organizations have a remarkable opportunity to develop talent, especially in entry-level and middle-skill roles. [Click on the title's link to continue reading.]

Tidewater Rotary cleans, revitalizes outdoor spaces at Talbot Hospice The Star, Easton, MD; 11/1/24 Members of the Tidewater Rotary Club, along with their families and friends, recently gathered to revitalize the backyard patio and garden areas at Talbot Hospice. Over two Saturdays, volunteers transformed the space, giving it a fresh, renewed look. The project supported Talbot Hospice by enhancing outdoor spaces where residents and families can find peace and comfort. Efforts included removing poison ivy and brush, power washing structures, and repainting the pergola and wood fence. Patios connected to patient rooms, leading to the gardens, received newly built benches, minor repairs and a fresh coat of paint. Window trims were repainted, and outdoor furniture was power washed.  

Anvoi Hospice welcomes Senate proclamation honoring National Hospice Month AN17 Local News, Loranger, LA; Press Release; 11/2/24 On Friday, November 1, Louisiana State Senator Bill Wheat officially recognized November as National Hospice Care Month with a Senate proclamation presented to Anvoi Hospice. 2024 marks the 42nd anniversary of the first Proclamation recognizing November as National Hospice Month. In 1982, President Ronald Reagan signed into law the Medicare Hospice benefit which ensured that millions of seriously ill Americans could die with dignity while receiving care in their own homes. That same year, the president also declared a National Hospice Care Week, which we now celebrate as National Hospice Care Month. “For more than 40 years, hospice has helped provide comfort and dignity to millions of people, ... We were so pleased to collaborate closely with Senator Wheat’s office on this proclamation, and we thank the Louisiana Senate for recognizing the importance of hospice and palliative care,” said Anvoi CEO, Angelique Richardson.Editor's note: Thank you, Anvoi Hospice for your public advocay. Additionally, we recognize the important leadership and state-wide presence of the Louisiana-Mississippi Hospice & Palliative Care Organization (LMHPCO).