Literature Review

DEA unveils long-overdue special registration for telemedicine in proposed ruleThe National Law Review; by Marika Miller, Nathan A. Beaver of Foley & Lardner LLP; 1/21/25 In the final days of the Biden administration, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) released a proposed rule that would allow practitioners with a Special Registration to prescribe Schedule III-V, and in limited circumstances Schedule II, controlled substances via telemedicine. Practitioners with a Special Registration would still need to obtain a DEA registration in each state where they prescribe or dispense controlled substances. However, the proposed rule establishes a limited, less expensive State Telemedicine Registration as an alternative to the traditional DEA registration. The proposed rule imposes several obligations on practitioners with Special Registrations when they prescribe controlled substances via telemedicine.  [Click on the title's link to continue reading.]

DeKalb library to host memorial pillow workshops Jan. 25 Shaw Local News Network, Dekalb, IL; by Kate Santillan; 1/19/25 The DeKalb Public Library will partner with Northern Illinois Hospice to host two workshop sessions for patrons to create pillows out of a loved one’s shirt. ... Participants can create up to two pillows out of a T-shirt or button-down shirt. Seamsters will be available to assist. Attendees should not bring jackets, thick fabrics or denim. Bereavement support and information will be provided.Editor's note: Do you know that healing grief actually begins with "accepting realities" and its later, ongoing "Task of Mourning" is to develop "enduring connections" or "continuing bonds" with the person or thing that has been lost? [J. William Worden, Grief Counseling & Grief Therapy; 5 editions since 1982] Similar memorials have been created by other hospices using the deceased person's clothing (ie., teddy bears, etc.). This simple, practical method can be adapted easily, with years of meaningful connection and generations of storytelling ahead.

For 27 years, I had minimal contact with my abusive mother. Then she moved in with me. HuffPost; by Carole Brodsky; 1/20/25 ... Living with my mom was the last thing I ever thought I’d be doing as an adult. Perhaps I accepted her back into my life because there were no other options available. Perhaps it was because I was the daughter of someone who in today’s vernacular would be called a “tiger mom,” and I’d been taught caring for an aging parent was what “good daughters” did.  ... As a child, my mother was abusive.  ... [Now, as] Mom’s verbal skills declined, we had to use our eyes, guts and hearts to discern the needs of a person whose tether to this world was fraying before our eyes. ... My partner has a saying: I always forgive, but I never forget. I have unequivocally forgiven my mother for everything. I have tried, with varying degrees of success, to let the vestiges of her abuse die with her and not invade the lives of my children, grandchildren and now, great-grandchildren. The work on forgiving myself will continue for the rest of my life.

ACS Annual Report: Cancer mortality continues to drop despite rising incidence in women; rates of new diagnoses under 65 higher in women than menAmerican Cancer Society press release; 1/16/25The American Cancer Society (ACS) today released Cancer Statistics, 2025, the organization’s annual report on cancer facts and trends. The new findings show the cancer mortality rate declined by 34% from 1991 to 2022 in the United States, averting approximately 4.5 million deaths. However, this steady progress is jeopardized by increasing incidence for many cancer types, especially among women and younger adults, shifting the burden of disease. For example, incidence rates in women 50-64 years of age have surpassed those in men, and rates in women under 50 are now 82% higher than their male counterparts, up from 51% in 2002. This pattern includes lung cancer, which is now higher in women than in men among people younger than 65 years. These important findings are published today in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, alongside its consumer-friendly companion, Cancer Facts & Figures 2025, available on cancer.org.

Johnson & Johnson swallows another drugmaker in $14.6 billion dealSherwood News; by J. Edward Moreno; 1/13/25J&J has spent at least $56.5 billion on acquisitions in the past five years. Johnson & Johnson announced Monday that it would acquire drugmaker Intra-Cellular Therapies for $14.6 billion, marking its latest bid for growth via swallowing a smaller company. Intra-Cellular Therapies makes Caplyta, a drug that treats schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. The deal comes right as generics for J&J’s blockbuster psoriasis drug Stelera are set to enter the market.

[Irelan] How digital storytelling can support families of very ill children RTE, Ireland; by Veronica Lambert and Razieh Safarifard; 1/17/25 Imagine a family gathered around a young child's bed at home or in the hospital, facing the heart-wrenching reality that their time together is limited. The moments they share now - the stories told, songs sung, laughter, and tears - are more precious than ever. But how can these memories be preserved, not just for the present but for a lifetime? Memory-making activities provide a way to capture these moments, offering comfort during and after their journey through palliative care. In Ireland, the need for such interventions is growing, as more children live with life-threatening conditions and families often find themselves without adequate support in these difficult times. Our new project addresses this gap with a digital storytelling memory-making programme tailored to the unique cultural and practical needs of Irish families.

Knoxville nurses bring wedding to UT Medical Center for bride’s dying mother WATE Knoxville, TN; by Molly O'Brien; 1/15/25 Nurses on the Progressive Care Unit at UT Medical Center planned a wedding for one of their patient’s daughter. Samantha Barry and her now husband, Phillip Bastelica, were supposed to get married in a few months. Barry, like most daughters, always planned on her mother being at her wedding day. Her mother, Lynn, is battling a terminal illness and was recently released from the Progressive Care Unit to hospice. ... It seemed unlikely that Lynn would be able to attend the wedding planned for August, so Barry and Bastelica decided to move the day up. ... The nurses who cared for Lynn jumped into action to plan a wedding for Barry.

Philips recalls remote cardiac monitoring software after 2 deaths Modern Healthcare; by Lauren Dubinsky; 1/14/25 Philips is recalling its remote cardiac monitoring software, which has been associated with 109 reported injuries and two reported deaths, according to the Food and Drug Administration. The agency labeled the action a Class I recall, its most serious designation. ... The recall is related to the company’s Monitoring Service Application, which processes and transmits symptomatic and asymptomatic cardiac events in electrocardiogram data received from the Mobile Cardiac Outpatient Telemetry device. The company and its subsidiary Braemar Manufacturing discovered that the software was not properly handling certain EKG readings between July 2022 and July 2024.

Guidelines for evaluating, diagnosing, and disclosing dementia published by Alzheimer’s Association Practical Neurology; 1/14/25 The Diagnostic Evaluation, Testing, Counseling, and Disclosure Clinical Practice Guideline (DETeCD-ADRD CPG) Workgroup, convened and funded by the Alzheimer’s Association, has developed new recommendations for clinicians to use when evaluating patients with possible Alzheimer disease (AD) or AD and related dementias (ADRD). An executive summary of the recommendations for use in primary care and other practice settings was published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, along with a companion article summarizing specific guidance for specialists. The Workgroup included representatives from  primary, specialty, subspecialty, long-term, and palliative care disciplines as well as the fields of health economics and bioethics.  Editor's note: Click for open access to the Alzheimer's Association clinical practice guideline ..., executive summary of recommendations for primary care. 

Hospice of the Chesapeake expands inpatient care with high-flow oxygen therapy Southern Maryland News Net; by Hospice of the Chesapeake; 1/13/25 Hospice of the Chesapeake is proud to announce the addition of high-flow oxygen therapy to its inpatient care centers, enhancing the quality of care for patients with complex respiratory needs. ... High-flow oxygen therapy is designed to deliver precise oxygen levels, improving breathing efficiency and overall comfort for patients. ... “Adding high-flow oxygen therapy to our inpatient care centers represents our commitment to providing comprehensive, patient-centered care,” said Dr. Sonja Richmond, Vice President of Medical Affairs & Hospice Medical Director. “This advancement enables us to better meet the needs of our patients and their families during a challenging time.”

My husband almost died. When I asked his doctor for help, I was appalled by the insensitive response. HuffPost; by Carrie Severson; 1/13/25 ... The physician’s assistant came in and looked at Gavin [the author's husband]. As soon as she took her seat, I told her I wanted to schedule him for a feeding tube, expecting her complete understanding and compassion. Instead, she laughed. “I recommended a consult for a feeding tube last week, and you declined it,” she said sharply. “Now I have to start over from scratch and reach back out to the GI team to see how we can get him in.” My mouth dropped open. I stared at her, bewildered. “I wasn’t ready last week. I’m ready now,” Gavin mumbled, barely audible. “What did he say?” the physician’s assistant snarled. I very calmly repeated what Gavin said, my heart breaking for him and rage racing through my body. “Well, you certainly have made my job harder. And now I’ll have to see what I can do for you. You’ll hear from me about your next steps, and you better follow them. It might be too late because of your attitude,” she barked. I leaned in, looked at her straight on, meeting her nasty tone, and said, “No. Your attitude has made this harder. And it’s very much not appreciated right now. He’s in pain, and your job is to help us. In fact, you took an oath to do no harm, and what you’re doing in this room is harmful.” ...

Muslim American Heritage Month Celebration U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC; Denis McDonough; 1/8/25 Dr. Salaam, thank you for your service in the Air Force, and for your service in communities around the country as an Imam and civil rights leader in the years since. Your words, principles, and perspectives are as inspiring as they are important ... [Describing VA Chaplain Omer Yigiter:] He became a VA chaplain at the Northport VA Medical Center, the only Muslim chaplain serving all of VISN-2 and one of only four Muslim VA chaplains across the country. ... We must learn and re-tell stories like those shared today—to ensure the experiences of Muslim American Veterans are acknowledged and honored. Truthful storytelling is also about authentic representation, about ensuring all Veteran voices and perspectives are heard and welcomed. So to our Muslim Veterans and colleagues, your unique perspectives make VA stronger.