Literature Review
All posts tagged with “Hospice Provider News | Solutions.”
CMS unveils services available to patients in the GUIDE Model, integrates palliative care principles
08/13/24 at 03:00 AMCMS unveils services available to patients in the GUIDE Model, integrates palliative care principles Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 8/12/24 The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has outlined the range of services that will be available to patients aligned with the agency’s Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) payment model. The payment model is designed to improve quality of life for dementia patients and their caregivers by addressing care coordination, behavioral health and functional needs. While the model does not use the term “palliative care,” it does incorporate principles and practices traditionally associated with those services, such as interdisciplinary care and caregiver support, among others. ... Nearly 400 health care organizations are developing Dementia Care Programs (DCPs) to potentially serve hundreds of thousands of Medicare beneficiaries nationwide, the CMS stated in a fact sheet.
How Olympic success can offer leadership lessons
08/13/24 at 03:00 AMHow Olympic success can offer leadership lessons The CEO Magazine; by Craig Johns; 8/12/24 As the Paris 2024 Olympic Games wrap up, the extraordinary performances of athletes offer valuable insights into leadership. High performance in both arenas hinges on precision, focus and constant improvement – lessons that can transform leadership strategies and drive success. ...
New hospital beds and over-bed tables enhance comfort at Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House thanks to Lutz & Chester Healthcare Foundations
08/13/24 at 03:00 AMNew hospital beds and over-bed tables enhance comfort at Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House thanks to Lutz & Chester Healthcare Foundations The News & Reporter, Lancaster, SC; News Release; 8/12/24 Hospice & Community Care is delighted to announce the successful installation of eight state-of-the-art hospital beds and eight over-bed tables at the Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House. This significant upgrade was made possible by a generous $25,000 grant from The Herbert and Anna Lutz Foundation and a $15,000 grant from the Chester Healthcare Foundation, marking the latest contributions in our long-standing partnerships with both organizations. The new beds, which replace the original equipment from 2008, offer enhanced comfort and versatility for patients.
A D-AI-alogue: What the leading edge of AI in PR looks like
08/13/24 at 03:00 AMA D-AI-alogue: What the leading edge of AI in PR looks like PRovoke Media; by Paul Holmes; 8/12/24 We talked to several leading agencies about how they are using AI to transform their business and improve communication effectiveness. ... I invited representatives of six firms on the leading edge of AI usage to talk about how AI is already impacting corporate communications. ... [From Chris Perry:] The greatest impact I’ve seen is less on what we can do more efficiently (like using GenAI to write press releases), and more on what we can do to better, like using GenAI to understand how information now travels, making sense of cultural chaos, crafting resonant stories, and identifying others than help translate and tell them. The ultimate value is being faster and better at what we do. Not replacing jobs or reducing costs. ...
Transforming healthcare: Enabling change through tailored change management strategies
08/13/24 at 03:00 AMTransforming healthcare: Enabling change through tailored change management strategies Healthcare Dive; by Brad Cauthen and Jenny Denver, and Scott Madden; 8/12/24In the fast-paced and demanding healthcare environment, where every moment focuses on patient care, introducing and managing operational changes—such as implementing a new system or altering an existing process—can be particularly challenging. ... Here are some tips for creating effective change management initiatives tailored to the operational realities of the healthcare setting and fostering a change-ready environment. ...
Making your Customer Experience [CX] investment strategy work
08/13/24 at 02:00 AMMaking your Customer Experience [CX] investment strategy work CMSWire [not to be confused with CMS=Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services]; by Jeb Dasteel, Amir Hartman, Brian P. O'Neill and Marc Madigan; 8/12/24 Uncover the key elements of a successful customer experience strategy, from capability planning to aligning with core business objectives. ... Investing in a customer experience strategy is fraught with complications and feelings. Most of us in the world of CX are here because we believe that thoughtful CX spending will make an impact on the performance of our company.Editor's Note: This article is written for a much larger scope than our hospice and palliative readership. However, it highlights the importance of tying "customers' experiences" to the company/organization's core goals and business objectives. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' CAHPS Hospice Compare Scores [not to be confused with this CMSWire source] reflect the hospice "customer experience," from the perspective of the bereaved caregiver. While the CMS Hospice Compare site sorts these public information scores alphabetically (per location and organization), our newsletter's sponsor Hospice Analytics' National Hospice Locator sorts this same data by the highest scores, for the purpose of helping the public "consumer" find the hospice that will provide them with the best "customer experience."
Empath Health, American Health Plans launch ISNP joint venture
08/08/24 at 03:00 AMEmpath Health, American Health Plans launch ISNP joint ventureHospice News; by Jim Parker; 8/6/24The nonprofit senior care provider Empath Health is partnering with the Medicare Advantage organization American Health Plans (AHP), a division of American Health Partners to serve patients who are enrolled in Institutional Special Needs Plans (ISNP). ISNPs are Medicare Advantage plans that are designed to serve beneficiaries who live in skilled nursing facilities. Through the Empath partnership, members of AHP’s American Health Advantage of Florida ISNP will receive interdisciplinary services from TruHealth of Florida, the clinical arm of the ISNP. TruHealth is a newly established joint venture between AHP and Empath. Patients will also have access to Empath Health’s “full-life care” model.Notable mentions: Jonathan Fleece, Empath Health CEO.
The most urgent needs in medical education
08/02/24 at 03:00 AMThe most urgent needs in medical education Becker's Hospital Review; by Mariah Taylor; 7/30/24 Healthcare is rapidly changing, presenting challenges to new physicians and the organizations that train them. The rise of AI, new technologies, patient demands and increased awareness in social determinants of health and equity have pushed leaders and organizations to change how they evaluate healthcare workers' preparedness as they enter the field. ...
Becoming time rich with physician moms: Sarah Wittry and Nicole Perrotte
08/02/24 at 03:00 AMBecoming time rich with physician moms: Sarah Wittry and Nicole Perrotte MarketScale - Ripple of Change; by Todd Otten; 7/30/24 In today’s high-stress healthcare environment, physician mothers face the formidable challenge of balancing demanding careers with their personal lives. The conversation on work-life balance is more relevant than ever, with more women in medicine seeking ways to manage these dual responsibilities effectively. How can physician moms navigate this landscape to reclaim time for themselves without guilt? What strategies can physician moms employ to achieve a healthier work-life balance? This pressing question lies at the heart of today’s discussion on the Ripple of Change podcast. ... Key points of discussion:
New play focuses on Advance Care Planning for LGBTQ+ families and caregivers
08/01/24 at 02:45 AMNew play focuses on Advance Care Planning for LGBTQ+ families and caregivers Hospice Foundation of America; by Lisa Veglahn; 7/29/24 Hospice Foundation of America (HFA) has added a new version of the short play “Lily” by award-winning playwright Bryan Harnetiaux to its AD (Advance Directives) Project, a collection of plays that dramatize the importance of advance directives. In the play, Jo visits her ex-wife, Lily, who is seriously ill. Jo is surprised that after years apart, Lily has asked to see her. She is even more surprised by Lily’s request that Jo serve as her surrogate decision maker when or if she cannot make healthcare decisions for herself. Hospice Foundation of America’s AD Project uses two-character, 10-minute plays featuring different relationships and settings. The plays are easy to produce and are intended for use by hospices, hospitals, and other community-based organizations wanting to engage audiences in discussions about advance care planning.The world premiere of the newest version of “Lily” was produced by Accord Hospice & Palliative Care in Sedona, AZ, in partnership with PFLAG Sedona, Unify Sedona, and the Sedona International Film Festival.Editor's Note: Click here for licensing information, to use this play in your community.
Hospices build community partnerships to better serve patients, employees
07/31/24 at 03:00 AMHospices build community partnerships to better serve patients, employees Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 7/29/24 Hospice care does not occur in a vacuum, and many operators find themselves building partnerships with other community organizations to better serve patients and support their staff. Providers work with other institutions to provide general inpatient and respite care, address social determinants of health and improve health equity, among other initiatives. Some also partner with medical and nursing schools to ensure students in health care fields gain exposure to hospice and palliative care principles. Notable Mentions: Skelly Wingard, CEO of By the Bay Health; Mary Shankster, Chief Development Officer at Stillwater Hospice; Altonia Garrett, COO of Blue Ridge Hospice
‘Good’ death different for everyone
07/31/24 at 02:00 AM‘Good’ death different for everyone Altoona Mirror, Altoona, PA; 7/26/24 The social and economic inequities patients suffer in life often shapes their death” was a key point of a July 13-14 article in the Review section of the Wall Street Journal. ... In the article, which was written by Dr. Sunita Puri, a palliative care physician and the author of “That Good Night: Life and Medicine in the Eleventh Hour,” Puri focuses on the conundrum many families face when dealing with the question of where to spend the final days of life. ... “New research classifies the rise in home deaths as progress,” the message immediately under the article’s headline begins, “but we need to look more closely at what these deaths look like.” ... Puri, now 10 years into her physician career, says it is now clear to her that there is much more to a “good” death than where it occurs. “Presuming a home death is a success obscures important questions about the process,” she wrote. “Did this person die comfortably? Did their caregivers have the resources and guidance they needed? Was dying at home a choice or simply the only option?”
Real vs. fake news: Myths vs. facts about hospice care
07/30/24 at 03:30 AMReal vs. fake news: Myths vs. facts about hospice care The Journal; by Danielle Ruble, Chief Clinical Officer of Hospice of the Panhandle and Panhandle Palliative Services; 7/28/24 Writing an article naturally causes me to pause and reflect not only on my time working in the hospice realm, but also my “why.” Why was I originally drawn to this field of nursing, and why do I stay? My “why” is simple – mission-driven care. More specifically – mission-driven care centered around patient choice. Yes, it’s true, no one chooses to be terminally ill, but the type of care available is a choice. ... According to the Oxford Dictionary, a myth is a “widely held but false belief or idea” and hospice care is often associated with myths and misconceptions. Here are five myths that we frequently hear.
Death can be a gentler exit for those enrolled in hospice care
07/30/24 at 03:00 AMDeath can be a gentler exit for those enrolled in hospice care The Blade; by Kimberly Wynn; 7/28/24 A baby coming into the world needs a lot of care, and families prepare for that wailing, cooing bundle of life with cribs, and changing tables and advice from mothers-in-law. When baby formula was in short supply, family members branched out to scour retail shelves for the necessities. For those leaving this world, care is also needed, according to Victoria Palenske, branch director for Elara Caring, which offers home health and hospice services in the Toledo area. Such souls may need oxygen, pain medications, and spiritual counseling, as well as a hand to hold. “People deserve a lot of care at the beginning of life, but they also deserve care at the end of their life,” said Ms. Palenske, who began her career as a registered nurse whose focus turned to hospice services. “It is a calling.”Editor's Note: Thank you Elara Caring for this mission-oriented description of hospice care that gently addresses "dying," in contrast to some hospice materials that deny or completely divert purposes related to terminal illness, dying, death, or bereavement.
The bereavement care crisis in hospice facilities
07/30/24 at 02:00 AMThe bereavement care crisis in hospice facilities MedCity News; by Cara McCarty Abbott; 7/28/24 Bereavement care is an essential part of the hospice experience, designed to support those coping with loss. Bereavement care is not just a compassionate gesture; it is a critical component of the hospice care continuum. So why is it so underserved in the U.S.? ... Instead of pushing harder on hospice providers to find more ways to deliver comprehensive bereavement care with less, it's key to address the systemic forces hampering their ability to deliver quality care at the scale required and address these challenges. Editor's Note: Additionally, does your hospice still rely on the misnamed, overused "5 Stages of Grief"? These were determined from 1960's persons who were dying, not from bereaved persons who live on--surviving--the death. Extensive fresh, contemporary, hospice-designed grief resources to support bereavement counselors and the persons they serve are provided by Composing Life Out of Loss, a sponsor for our newsletter.
Hospices strategize sustainable growth for Veteran Programs
07/29/24 at 03:00 AMHospices strategize sustainable growth for Veteran Programs Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 7/26/24 Hospices combat both operational and financial challenges as they seek to grow and evolve their veteran programs around the diverse and complex needs of patients and their families. Some of the largest expenses associated with offering veteran services include staffing and training costs ... In addition to staff training, this includes having ways to honor veterans for their service, assess the social determinant of health resources they may need and identify gaps of caregiver support. ...Editor's Note: Notable mentions include Carlos Graveran, executive director at Maryland-based Frederick Health Hospice; Sherri Bickley, vice president of patient support services at Oklahoma-based Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care; and Carla Creegan, PACE director of clinical services and director of adult day swervices at Empath Health.
"I often just don't know what to say!": Variations in multidisciplinary palliative care clinicians' confidence and needs related to spiritual care
07/27/24 at 03:00 AM"I often just don't know what to say!": Variations in multidisciplinary palliative care clinicians' confidence and needs related to spiritual care American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care; by Megan Miller, William E Rosa, Haley Buller, Meghan McDarby, Betty R Ferrell; 7/22/24 online ahead of print Spiritual care is a core component of high-quality palliative care, yet gaps exist in spiritual care provision. ... Findings reveal varied levels of confidence with spiritual care across dimensions. Chaplains reported the highest levels of confidence compared with nurses and social workers. Key areas of knowledge/skills to improve spiritual care provision were: (1) Training and support for clinicians in spiritual care; (2) Strategies for providing spiritual care to patients from diverse cultural and/or religious backgrounds; (3) Better understanding of specific populations and contexts that may affect spiritual care provision; and (4) Clinicians' personal growth & practices to improve spiritual care.
Hospice driving 'die-alogue' series sparks end-of-life conversations
07/26/24 at 03:00 AMHospice driving 'die-alogue' series sparks end-of-life conversations OrilliaMatters; by Giesele Winton Sarvis; 7/21/24 Comedian Jerry Seinfeld was the inspiration for Driving Die-alogues created by Hospice Huronia [Ontario, Canada]. Debbie Kesheshian, executive director of Hospice Huronia, and Tammy Vater, the supportive care coordinator, were trying to think of a way to normalize conversation around the often taboo subject of death and dying. They decided to follow Seinfeld's model with his show Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, where Seinfeld picks up a fellow comedian and they have a chat while going for coffee. "Tammy and I thought let’s go for a drive and have a conversation that is just normal and human. Her and I ask a question and we go back and forward with open dialogue," says Kesheshian. A year later, the duo have created approximately 30 short videos posted on YouTube and the Hospice website and they plan on creating more.
How home-based care’s leaders foster a multi-generational workforce
07/26/24 at 02:00 AMHow home-based care’s leaders foster a multi-generational workforce Home Health Care News; by Joyce Famakinwa; 7/23/24 In order for the home-based care space to benefit from the demographic tailwinds coming its way, it needs to embrace emerging leaders who are bringing in fresh ideas. VNS Health, Andwell Health Partners and UVA Continuum Home Health are just a few of the companies that are throwing their support behind the next generation of leaders. ... Formerly Androscoggin Home Healthcare + Hospice, Andwell is a nonprofit operator that offers home health, hospice, palliative, behavioral health and pediatric care services. The company employs over 500 workers across all 16 counties in Maine. Along with cultivating the next crop of leaders, companies are figuring out how best to work with a multi-generational workforce.
[Bermuda] New hospice care centre breaks ground
07/25/24 at 03:00 AMNew hospice care centre breaks ground Bernews, Bermuda; 7/22/24 The future of hospice care in Bermuda has taken a leap forward with the groundbreaking on the site of the new Woodland Grove Care Centre on Spice Hill Road, Warwick. A spokesperson said, “Community partners and board members of Friends of Hospice were present to mark the symbolic first shovel-strike of the multi-year construction of Bermuda’s first purpose-built hospice and eldercare care facility. The Care Centre will significantly increase and improve on the care options available on island. ... The building will have an aesthetic character heavily inspired by traditional Bermudian residential character, massing, and vernacular. The provision of functional gardens and landscaped outdoor areas, around the building, contribute to the home environment and will offer tranquil and calming spaces.
Readers write: Why RCM is the most interesting opportunity in healthcare
07/25/24 at 03:00 AMReaders write: Why RCM is the most interesting opportunity in healthcare HIStalk - Healthcare IT News & Opinion; by Kim Waters, MBA; 7/22/24 Revenue cycle management (RCM) isn’t for everybody, but it certainly is for me. ... In a 2023 study, HFMA reported on the rising cost of claims, with as much as 60% of claims not resubmitted and the average denial rate’s total percentage of gross revenue at 11%. What’s more is that they found that the cost per claim appealed is $118 and the denial rate is increasing 20% year over year. In an era when budgets are tight and margins are lower, organizations need to improve on these numbers to survive and eventually thrive. Opportunities for improvement can be easy to see. Reconsider any processes or solutions that:
Vital Signs: Digital Health Law Update | Spring 2024
07/24/24 at 03:00 AMVital Signs: Digital Health Law Update | Spring 2024 Jones Day - Vital Signs; by Vital Signs' Editors; July 2024Welcome to Vital Signs, a curated compilation of the latest legal and regulatory developments in digital health. [Topics include the following:]
Salvation Army in Lufkin, Harbor Hospice, and other businesses hold ‘Beat the Heat’ fan drive
07/24/24 at 03:00 AMSalvation Army in Lufkin, Harbor Hospice, and other businesses hold ‘Beat the Heat’ fan drive ABC KTRE TV9, Lufkin, TX; by Vanessa Johnson; 7/21/24 “We have a fan drive going on right now from July 1st to July the 31st,” Amy Allen, the director of nursing with Harbor Hospice in Lufkin, said. The fan drive is for those in both Angelina and Nacogdoches counties that need one but do not have the means to get one. ... “They have no resources, they have no money, they have no way to get this. During the hurricane I know we all suffered from the heat, and we felt what they feel like daily,” Jenny Wright, the volunteer coordinator at Harbor Hospice, said.
Hospice El Paso celebrates new center for care with ribbon cutting ceremony
07/22/24 at 03:00 AMHospice El Paso celebrates new center for care with ribbon cutting ceremony ABC KVIA TV-7, El Paso, TX; by Valeria Medina; 7/18/24 Hospice El Paso has announced its new Center for Compassionate Care (CCC). Hospice El Paso celebrated the new center with a ribbon cutting ceremony held July 18th. Hospice El Paso says the new center is state-of-the-art and includes pain and anxiety management care. The facility offers 24-hour short-term hospitalized care for the needs of their patients. The CCC is also opening a pediatric unit that will be utilized to care for terminally-ill children and their families.
Is your organization truly clinically integrated?
07/19/24 at 03:00 AMIs your organization truly clinically integrated? TCNtalks podcast; host Chris Comeaux; 7/17/24 In this conversation, Chris Comeaux and Dr. Will Faber discuss the importance of clinically integrated networks (CINs) in the Hospice and Palliative Care industry. They explore the challenges and benefits of creating a CIN, including reducing costs, improving quality of care, and competing with larger organizations. Dr. Faber explains that CINs are legal entities that allow independent providers to come together for group effectiveness, enabling them to negotiate with payers and improve quality while reducing healthcare costs. They also touch on the concept of the triple aim and the evolving concept of the quintuple aim in healthcare. CINs are attractive to hospice and palliative care organizations because they provide a way to stay independent while being part of something larger.