Literature Review

Some report images and manifestations of departed loved ones Chicaog Daily Herald, by Susan Anderson-Khleif; 3/9/24Not often, but sometimes, a person sees an image of a beloved or dear friend. A visual manifestation of their spirit, one you can actually see while awake. It could be very clear or more in a fog. It happened to me the middle of the night, two years ago. ... I had friends and readers who’ve told me of such happenings — of seeing images of dear ones — sometimes during times of stress, sometimes for seemingly no reason. It could be a voice rather than an image. Or some other sign that assures you they are around. Editor's Note: Susan Anderson-Khleif has a doctorate in family sociology from Harvard, taughts at Wellesley College, and is retired.

Patients with metastatic cancer state more accurate prognosis when in poor healthMedscape / YouTube, Dr. Maurie Markman; 3/7/24Dr. Maurie Markman discusses a paper focused on the controversial oncology topic of prognosis beliefs among patients with metastatic cancer.Editor's Note: For the transcript, click on the link beneath the YouTube's description that has the text "medscape.com/viewarticle." 

Compassionate extubation and beyond: Is there a need for more guidance in managing end-of-life in the intensive care unit? Chest Physician, by Angela L. Birdwell, DO, MA; Nehan Sher, MD  Approximately 20% of deaths in the United States occur during or shortly after a stay in the ICU and approximately 40% of ICU deaths involve withdrawal of artificial life support (WOALS) or compassionate extubation. ... How the team approaches WOALS can make a difference to both patients and decision-makers. Unfortunately, there is striking variation in practice and lack of guidance in navigating issues that arise at end-of-life in the ICU. 

Description and outcomes of a palliative care pharmacist-led Transitions of Care program J Palliat Med, by Connor McCormick, Mamta Bhatnagar, Robert M Arnold, Maria Felton Lowry; 3/6/24Background: Patients with palliative care needs are at high risk of medication errors during transitions of care (TOC). Palliative Care Pharmacist Interventions surrounding Medication Prescribing Across Care Transitions (IMPACT) program was developed to improve the TOC process from hospital to community setting for cancer patients followed by palliative care. Conclusion: Our pilot study demonstrates that integrating a pharmacist in TOC for seriously ill patients is feasible and valuable.

Transforming tragedy into triumph: Lynne Hughes creates grief camp, helping 24,000 children BNN, by Emmanuel Abara Benson; 3/6/24Lynne Hughes' journey from personal tragedy to establishing Comfort Zone Camp (CZC) spotlights the transformative power of empathy and support. Losing both parents by age 12, Hughes navigated her grief with little support, a struggle that later fueled her mission to ensure no child felt as isolated in their sorrow as she did. Today, CZC stands as a beacon of hope, having supported over 24,000 grieving children across the United States. 

Death doulas: Helping people at the end of their life The Conversation, by Joel Abrams; 3/5/24The role of death doulas is still relatively new, so the terminology and definitions of what they are based on what they do are in flux. They are sometimes referred to as an end-of-life doula, soul midwife, death coach, dying guide, death midwife and palliative care doula. ... In addition to their doula training, doulas bring their own professional and personal experience to the role. International research on death doulas has noted that many who have become death doulas have a background in professional healthcare, social care or education, and may already have some experience with death.

Why I chose palliative care: A nurse's personal journey to providing comfort careAnschutz, by Lauren Carter; 3/5/24My interest in palliative care started with my grandma’s use of hospice services seventeen years ago. She suffered with multiple sclerosis for over forty years. ... What may have been a terrible experience for most people was actually made very positive for me. ... Unfortunately, I had another opportunity fifteen years later, to once again be there for my family in this way. ... It takes empathy and specialized training to assist in end-of-life care. It may be something that we are called to. I care deeply about these patients and their families. I am able to have difficult conversations when necessary. I try to create space for family members to talk about who the person in the hospital bed is, when that person can no longer talk for themselves. ...

Veterans’ care new battleground in nursing home staffing mandate McKnights Long-Term Care News, by Kimberly Marselas; 3/5/24Two senators have introduced a bill to determine exactly what “unintended circumstances” could result for elderly veterans if a federal rule mandating staffing levels at all US nursing homes is allowed to proceed. ... The bill would require the VA to study potential risks associated with the proposed Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services rule — especially as they pertain to rural providers. The senators said the proposal would “unsustainably change staffing ratios at nursing homes.”

Creating comfort through communication: Strategies for supporting mental wellbeing in palliative careWorldHealth.net; 3/4/24... To provide comprehensive and compassionate care, this article explores the various strategies for communicating and supporting mental well-being in palliative care. 

How will Kentucky's medical marijuana program be regulated? Here's where things stand Louisville Courier Journal, by Olivia Evans; 3/4/24The Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program — which regulates the legal cultivation, production, sale and use of medical marijuana products — is set to officially start Jan. 1, 2025. ... In early January, Gov. Beshear's administration filed its first set of 10 regulations governing the industry and providing a framework for how businesses will operate. ... The 10 regulations focus on cultivators, processors, producers, safety compliance facilities, dispensaries and more. ... According to the website for the state medical cannabis program, the cabinet is in the process of developing additional regulations.

Perceptions of interprofessional practitioners regarding pediatric palliative transports Am J Crit Care; by Harriett Swasey, Diana Morrill, Sandra Mott, Shannon Engstrand, and Jean Anne Connor; 3/1/24 Background: Pediatric palliative transport (PPT) is the practice of offering critically and terminally ill children requiring life-sustaining measures the opportunity to be discharged from the hospital to home or a hospice facility for end-of-life care. Although studies have shown PPT to favorably affect both children and their families, limited research exists on the perspectives of health care practitioners. 

Facing dementia: Clarifying end-of-life choices, supporting better lives The Hastings Center; 2/28/24The report includes 10 recommendations for policymakers, research funders, clinical and legal practitioners, and professional societies. ... “Facing Dementia: Clarifying End-of-Life Choices, Supporting Better Lives” is the major product of a Hastings Center research project, codirected by Hastings senior research scholar Nancy Berlinger and President Emerita Mildred Z. Solomon.