Literature Review

Update on malpractice claimsLinkedIn; by Elizabeth Hogue; 9/3/25New analysis by Claggett, Sykes and Garza Trial Lawyers shows that registered nurses (RNs) and physicians continue to top the list of health professions most likely to be sued for malpractice... While the total number of malpractice suits has decreased by almost 20% in ten years, the severity of claims has risen... Home care nurses, including those providing hospice and palliative care, were the most vulnerable to professional liability claims of all nursing specialties... [The article includes factors that may contribute to increases in claims against home health nurses and strategies that nurses can use to protect themselves from malpractice claims.]

Christmas for Lorie: Carmel neighborhood lights up August NBC WTHR-13, Carmel, IN; by Scott Swan; 8/21/25 On a warm August night, Christmas lights are twinkling on a street in Carmel. "One of our favorite traditions on Windbush is to decorate every house as much as possible," said neighbor Emily Clem. We may be 125 days away from Christmas, but for the family in this house, the beauty of the holiday needs to happen now. "When I saw the lights go up last Thursday or Friday, my heart sunk because I knew what it was," said Brady Young, who lives nearby. Lorie Graves, a 50-year-old wife and mom, is on home hospice as she battles ovarian cancer. "We did the Christmas decorations in the front yard because we have a very special neighbor right down the road who is battling cancer," said Shane Best. ... And so did the neighbors.

VA end-of-life care honors Veterans and comforts families: Choosing the right placeVA News; by Sarah M. Tolstyka; 8/29/25End-of-life care is one of the most personal decisions a Veteran and their family will ever make. VA offers hospice services across a variety of settings—including its own Community Living Centers (CLCs), contracted community nursing homes and home hospice agencies. While each Veteran’s needs are unique, the setting in which hospice care is provided can profoundly shape the experience. One invaluable resource in this decision-making process is VA’s Bereaved Family Survey, which measures family satisfaction with end-of-life (EOL) care. The data consistently show families report higher satisfaction with VA CLC hospice care than with community-based hospice. Currently, 87% of families rate VA CLC EOL care a 9 or 10 on a 0–10 scale, compared to 81% for community hospice care. These findings reflect clinical excellence and VA’s commitment to honoring Veterans through every stage of life... Families frequently recall the small but meaningful details of VA care, like the Honor Walk or Final Salute, a ceremonial procession to honor a Veteran’s death. “The Walk of Honor is something I will always remember,” one family member shared. Another noted, “He was brought back to VA and, as my son said, ‘He was given back his dignity.’ I can’t even begin to say how wonderful VA is.”

From hospice to homecoming - a remarkable journey Buffalo Healthy Living; 8/26/25 On Christmas Eve, Tom Korn was frail and unconscious when he arrived at the hospice unit of Northgate Care Facility after his doctors told him that nothing more could be done. His husband, Mark, was reeling—another unfamiliar corridor, another devastating prognosis, and what seemed to be Tom’s final stop. Instead, Northgate’s partnership with Niagara Hospice became more than just an admission for comfort; it turned into an unexpected chance to live. ... 

Grateful leukemia patient thanks care team, paints butterfly mural Sentara, Norfolk, VA; by Kelly Anne Morgan; 8/27/25 ... Six years ago, Kressel was diagnosed with myelofibrosis, ... It was an emergency admission, and she remained in the hospital [for 70 days], receiving over 150 blood transfusions, several bone marrow biopsies, and a splenic embolization. ... When she was discharged from the hospital, Kressel began working on a butterfly mural composed of three large canvases. The butterflies symbolize hope for patients and families experiencing hospice and end-of-life comfort care, said Kressel. ... Recently, Sentara Norfolk General Hospital rededicated nine rooms on the oncology floor to house hospice patients. ... In August, Kressel was joined by family, friends, and her care team as she presented the mural to the unit. ...

Social workers’ role in improving hospice live discharge processes Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 8/26/25 A lack of standardized care coordination is challenging the ability for patients and families to receive support following a live discharge from hospice. Deeper integration of social work services may help address the issue. This is according to findings from a recent study published in the Journal of Gerontological Social Work, which examined different methodologies for preparing patients, family caregivers and providers for hospice-initiated live discharges from social worker perspectives. 

Spokane hospice chaplain’s new book challenges comfort clichés at life’s endThe Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA); by Mia Gallegos; 8/25/25“Hospice Chaplain: Interrupted” examines how caring for the dying transforms the caregiver, exploring the profound discomfort and unexpected revelations that emerge when chaplains sit with patients at life’s end. Written by the Rev. Scott Kinder-Pyle, a hospice chaplain and Presbyterian ordained minister in Spokane, the collection of poems following an introductory essay challenges some of the typical mechanisms pursued by those who accompany people within their final moments of life.

Are patients with advanced cancer receiving treatment aligned with their goals?Medical Xpress; by Wiley; 8/25/25New research indicates that many patients with advanced cancer report receiving treatment focusing on longevity over comfort, even when their goal is the opposite. The findings are published in Cancer. Treatment of serious illnesses generally aims to optimize longevity and quality of life, but in some cases, these goals are at odds with each other. Therefore, clinicians must strive to understand each individual's objectives so that patients do not receive burdensome treatments that go against their wishes.

How music therapy can help people with cancerAmerican Cancer Society; 8/22/25When life gets hard, music can be a balm. Maybe listening to a playlist or making your own music lifts you up. For people facing cancer, music therapy offers a way to ease stress and find connection. What is music therapy? Music therapy is a type of mind-body therapy that uses music to promote healing. “For many people with cancer, it can offer a nonverbal, emotionally resonant way to cope with challenges,” said Cristiane Decat Bergerot, PhD, an American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) expert and head of the Department of Psycho-Oncology at Grupo Oncoclínicas in Brazil. Music therapists use different techniques to help patients process their emotions. One goal of music therapy can be to help manage side effects from illness. For example, many people experience pain from cancer or cancer treatment. Medications can help with physical pain, but emotional pain can be tricky to treat.

States with the most, fewest licensed nursesBecker's Clinical Leadership; by Mariah Taylor; 8/13/25The National Council of State Boards of Nursing found Washington, D.C., has the most licensed nurses per capita, while Utah is the state with the fewest... The data found Wyoming and Vermont had the fewest licensed nurses in their states overall, at 9,440 and 12,957, respectively. Meanwhile, California and Texas had the most licensed nurses at 578,043 and 526,812, respectively. Becker’s used 2024 Census data to calculate how many nurses are in each state per 100,000 population. Here are [states] with the most and fewest nurses:Most [licensed RNs per 100,000 population]

Marine veteran volunteers to ensure no veteran dies alone Greater Good; by Guest Contributor; 8/18/25 At the Milwaukee VA Medical Center, a quiet act of service is taking place—one that speaks volumes about dedication, compassion, and the enduring bonds of military brotherhood. Marine veteran Frank Steffel has spent the past nine years volunteering with the “No Veteran Dies Alone” program, a national initiative designed to ensure that veterans in hospice care are not left without companionship in their final moments. This powerful mission reflects a solemn promise: no service member should ever be forgotten or left behind. Steffel’s work is part of a broader effort that has been active at the Milwaukee VA for about a decade.

Davina McCall reveals 'end of life checklist' after devastating tumour news from doctor Express; by Emmanuella Ngimbi; 8/18/25 TV presenter Davina McCall opened up about the major action she took after being diagnosed with a brain tumour during a health check-up as part of her menopause advocacy work in November. Despite being told it was benign, the 57-year-old was convinced death was imminent and proceeded to make an end-of-life checklist, which she now says was “the best gift.” ... Davina revealed that in the end, her checklist came down to finding peace in the fact that her loved ones would survive without her.