Literature Review

Hospice SLO County announces move to new location Paso Robles Daily News, Paso Robles, CA; by News Staff; 12/3/25 Hospice of San Luis Obispo County says its new location improves visibility and long-term stability. The new, smaller facility will continue to be known as the Dorothy D. Rupe Center. The name honors the Arthur N. Rupe Foundation and the legacy that helped establish the organization’s first permanent home in 2001. Hospice of San Luis Obispo County said the move reflects a step toward sustainability by providing a more visible and efficient space while maintaining its existing environment.

The future of hospice care: Opportunities and challenges Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast hosted by Chris Comeaux with Ira Byock and Cordt Kassner; 12/3/25 In this meaningful episode of TCNtalks, host Chris Comeaux sits down with Cordt Kassner and renowned Hospice pioneer Dr. Ira Byock to explore why Hospice and Palliative Care matter now more than ever—especially during the holiday season, when reflection and connection take center stage.The conversation traces the evolution of Hospice, highlighting how its mission has expanded beyond end-of-life care to fostering true well-being for patients and families. Dr. Byock challenges long-held assumptions about Hospice, urging a reframing of the narrative to emphasize life completion, compassion, and the profound impact these services have on the broader healthcare landscape.

Agentic AI in digital transformation: Why autonomy won’t fix the people and process problems Forbes; by Nono Bokete; 11/25/25 Agentic AI, the buzzy term for autonomous systems that can plan, act and adapt with minimal human input, is being marketed as the holy grail of digital transformation. And don't get me wrong: It's powerful. ... The potential is incredible. But potential means nothing without the people and process infrastructure to sustain it. ... The Common Pitfalls (Why 40% Will Fail): ...

Mercy Hospice House temporarily closes; parent company to assume outpatient care The Durango Herald, Durango, CO; by Elizabeth Pond; 11/17/25 The Mercy Hospice House, an end of life care wing of Mercy Hospital, has temporarily closed because of a change in outpatient service ownership and a required licensing review. A reopening date has not been determined. The facility, owned and operated by CommonSpirit Health, will transfer leadership of outpatient services to its national entity, CommonSpirit Health at Home, said Kevin Massey, a spokesman. Inpatient hospice care will continue under CommonSpirit Health and Mercy Hospital, he said.

How one Lafayette man's offer to cook for families in need turned into a mission The Acadiana Advocate; by Adam Daigle; 11/17/25 Kent Zerangue planned to open a catering business when he retired in 2017, but one experience overshadowed any need to make money. ... He began cooking for families in need and launched Food With Love, “a heart centered ministry of Hospice of Acadiana.” ... He had 10 families in six months.  ... Today, Food With Love serves about 135 families and prepares about 800 meals a week.

Inside Compassus’ 2-pronged plan to expand Providence joint venture Home Health Care News; by Morgan Gonzales; 11/11/25 The joint venture between Compassus and not-for-profit health system Providence is set to expand through two key growth tactics. ... For the first pillar, the joint venture aims to expand through multiple sources within Providence, including case management, discharge planning, hospital-based clinicians and Providence’s ambulatory environment. ... Its second growth strategy looks outside of the Providence ecosystem for referrals, whether from long-term care facilities, skilled nursing facilities or physicians working directly with patients. 

What is the best way for CNOs to tackle change management? healthleaders; by G Hatfield; 11/10/25 CNOs need to be equipped to support their nurses throughout times of change. With many constant changes happening in healthcare, from mergers and acquisitions, to leadership changes, to new technology implementation. All of these shifting variables have major impacts on the nursing workforce in any health system and can cause major disruptions in workflow and nurse wellbeing. CNOs must also keep in mind that big changes affect patients as well. The challenge for nurse leaders lies in handling that change with patience, confidence, and clear intentions. CNOs must design change management strategies that are inclusive, transparent, and responsive, while being as communicative as possible throughout the entire process.

Hospice care recipients of calendar fundraiser The Grapevine, Martha's Vineyard, MA; by The Martha's Vineyard Times; 11/7/25 In honor of National Hospice and Palliative Care Month and as an ode to his family’s personal experience, Vineyard photographer Michael Blanchard donated $5,000 to Hospice & Palliative Care of Martha’s Vineyard (HPCMV). The proceeds come from Blanchard’s 2026 Inspirational Calendar for the Annual Appeal, which is a dedication to the memory of his parents, who both received hospice or palliative services at the end of their lives. “Hospice was there for my family,” Blanchard said. “This donation is simply a way to say thank you and encourage others to support the work they do for our Island.” 

National Alliance CEO Steve Landers on hospices’ top policy priorities Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 11/6/25Medicare advantage and telehealth are key hospice policy priorities for the National Alliance for Care at Home. On the home health front, the organization is also embroiled in efforts to stave off proposed payment and Medicaid cuts. The Alliance came into being last year with the merger between the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the National Association for Home Care & Hospice. Hospice News spoke with Alliance CEO Dr. Steven Landers about how the two legacy organizations are integrating, the hospice public policy landscape and how providers can get involved at a grass roots level.

The secret to a successful AI rollout? It's all about timing - and these 5 factors ZDNET; by Mark Samuels; 11/3/25 AI rollouts fail 95% of the time. Here's how to get yours right. ... Five business leaders share their tips. ...

Live discharges of patients in hospice home settings-Relief or grief: A narrative studyThe American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care; by Jacek T Soroka, Amanda L Paulson-Blom, Alla Blotsky, Jennifer L Derrick, Margaret T Mudroch; 10/25Approximately 20% of hospice patients in the US are discharged alive, often due to Medicare regulations. One of the caregivers described discharge as distressing and poorly coordinated; the other reported a positive experience shaped by prior knowledge and financial resources. Both emphasized the importance of clear communication, care planning (eg, to avoid loss of durable medical equipment), and interdisciplinary support. Live hospice discharge can cause emotional and practical disruption, especially when not accompanied by a care transition plan or access to durable medical equipment. This study highlights the need for team-based communication, sensitivity in language, and continued support. Assistant Editor's note: There can be immense ambivalence among patients and loved ones when one is discharged alive from hospice. Usually, these patients have been with hospice for many months or even years. Perhaps the discharge is viewed as good news-even GREAT news(!) that the patient has "graduated" from hospice. Maybe loved ones will throw a graduation party(!) as it means that the patient is no longer terminally ill (as defined by hospice regulations). On the other hand, some patients/loved ones can become very distraught, wondering how they will get along without having a nurse to call in the middle of the night, without their beloved aide who brightens their day with the TLC of the bath-hair-nail care, and without the support and guidance of their social worker and/or chaplain. Some patients/loved ones will feel angry and abandoned. Best practices dictate that hospices be proactive in discharge planning when the health of their long length-of-stay patients hits a plateau; discharge should never come as a surprise. There should be frequent and ongoing discussions with the patient/loved ones about the potential for live discharge. Discharge planning needs to include: how the patient will get their DME/medical supplies/medications?, who does the loved one call in the middle of the night if there is a medical crisis?, who can provide tangible support and spiritual guidance (if desired)?, and can palliative care ease the transition once hospice has discharged?

10 smart questions to ask before hiring an IT services company DesignRush; by Sergio Oliveira; 10/28/25 A first-hand guide for CEOs on how to vet IT vendors, avoid scope traps, and ensure accountability beyond the pitch. ... Every IT partner looks capable during a pitch — that’s their job. The challenge is separating an agency's confidence from day-to-day reality. I’ve learned that asking the right questions early is the only way to find out how potential agencies will handle change, protect uptime, and keep you in control of your own data.