Literature Review

All posts tagged with “Clinical News | Physician & Nursing News.”



Implementation of the Pressure Injury Prevention Care Bundle at a home based hospice program: A quality improvement project

08/13/25 at 03:00 AM

Implementation of the Pressure Injury Prevention Care Bundle at a home based hospice program: A quality improvement project The Texas Medical Center (TMC) Library Health Sciences Resource Center; by Adaeze U. Amechi-fannin; 8/11/25 Pressure injuries remain a common and serious problem in hospice care, especially among patients who are immobile or confined to bed. Although effective prevention methods are known, inconsistent use of these methods, limited caregiver training, and poor documentation have continued to prevent success in many hospice settings. These wounds cause pain, increase infection risk, and reduce quality of life, making prevention especially important in end-of-life care. ... This project demonstrates that combining structured training, evidence-based care steps, and attention to individual patient needs can successfully reduce pressure injuries in home hospice environments.

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This test tells you more about your heart attack risk

08/13/25 at 03:00 AM

This test tells you more about your heart attack risk KFF Health News; by Paula Span; 8/1/25 A long list of Lynda Hollander’s paternal relatives had heart disease, and several had undergone major surgeries. ... A cardiologist told Hollander that based on factors like age, sex, cholesterol, and blood pressure, she faced a moderate risk of a major cardiac event, like a heart attack, within the next 10 years. ... Her doctor explained that a coronary artery calcium test, ... could provide a more precise estimate of her risk of atherosclerotic heart disease. “The test is used by more people every year,” said Michael Blaha, co-director of the preventive cardiology program at Johns Hopkins University. Calcium scans quadrupled from 2006 to 2017, his research team reported, and Google searches for related terms have risen even more sharply. Yet “it’s still being underused compared to its value,” he said. One reason is that although the test is comparatively inexpensive ...Editor's Note: Good news. This test predicts and protects heart health, potentially providing extra years of good (or at least better) quality of life. Bad news. It is "being underused compared to its value," partly because "the test is comparatively inexpensive"? Bad news. What does the low-cost factor say ethics, choices, and quality of life? Good news. Because of my family's cardiac history, my physician recently recommended I take this test. I did, and received great results! I move into the future with greater confidence, less fear, and more gratitude for the some 100,00 heartbeats we each experience, each day.

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Demographic variations and temporal trends in hospice and palliative care fellowship matches in the United States

08/12/25 at 03:00 AM

Demographic variations and temporal trends in hospice and palliative care fellowship matches in the United States Scientific Reports; by Aman Goyal, Samuel L. Flesner, Urooj Shamim, Sonia Hurjkaliani, Priya Goyal, Mohamed Daoud & Amir Humza Sohail; 8/8/25 ... In summary, the number of Hospice and Palliative Care fellowship training programs, positions, and applicants increased. Female applicants, compared to males, and White applicants, relative to their representation in all fellowships, accounted for a larger proportion of applications and had higher match rates. ... Future research should focus on initiatives to address challenges such as the underrepresentation of certain demographics in palliative care and the growing demand for trained professionals as the population ages. 

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‘You made my life’: VITAS caregiver scores NHL tickets for hospice patient through Wish Maker program

08/12/25 at 03:00 AM

‘You made my life’: VITAS caregiver scores NHL tickets for hospice patient through Wish Maker program McKnights Home Care; by Foster Stubbs; 8/8/25 When hospice nurse Natalie Villabrera-Williams came to visit her client and hockey lover, Alan Reddish, last year she noticed that he was growing a beard that would make Rip Van Winkle blush. When she asked him if he wanted to shave it off, he explained that his beard would remain unkempt as long as his beloved Florida Panthers remained in the 2025 NHL Playoffs. ... After that interaction, Villabrera-Williams, a nurse for VITAS Healthcare in Broward County, FL, saw an opportunity to bring Reddish, of Lauderhill, FL, closer to the action on the ice.  ...

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Sovereign Hospice highlights nutrition's role in hospice home care services

08/11/25 at 03:00 AM

Sovereign Hospice highlights nutrition's role in hospice home care services News Channel Nebraska (NCN), reprinted from Aubrey, TX; Press Release; 8/8/25 Eating becomes more than a necessity during serious illness—it becomes a part of daily care that supports comfort, strength, and emotional connection. At Sovereign Hospice in Aubrey, Texas, nutrition is integrated into the services hospice offers, especially for patients receiving hospice at home services. The goal is to use food as a gentle tool to improve quality of life. Serious illnesses can change how patients eat. Appetite loss, difficulty swallowing, and taste changes are common, but they can be managed through small adjustments. 

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Caring for every breath: Carolina Caring Advanced Lung Care Program launched August 1st

08/11/25 at 03:00 AM

Caring for every breath: Carolina Caring Advanced Lung Care Program launched August 1st Carolina Caring, Newton, NC; Press Release; 8/8/25 A specialized lung care program providing care for complex respiratory conditions will bring needed comfort and support to many individuals. Launched on August 1st, 2025, Carolina Caring’s Advanced Lung Care Program helps patients receive the personalized care they need for their advanced respiratory illness at end of life, while remaining comfortably at home—leading to a reduction of hospitalizations and improved quality of life for patients and their families. 

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New report gives healthcare providers fresh guidance on communicating with older adults

08/11/25 at 03:00 AM

New report gives healthcare providers fresh guidance on communicating with older adults McKnights Long-Term Care News; by Donna Shryer; 8/7/25 A new report from the Gerontological Society of America reveals critical strategies for healthcare providers to improve communication with older adults, who now represent almost 17% of the US population. The comprehensive guide, titled “Communicating With Older Adults: A Review of What Really Works,” addresses the growing need for effective patient-provider interactions as America ages. Approximately one-third of adults aged 65 or more years have a disability that may affect communication, the report noted. 

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[Netherlands] Voluntarily stopping eating and drinking as a self-chosen path for end of life

08/09/25 at 03:55 AM

[Netherlands] Voluntarily stopping eating and drinking as a self-chosen path for end of lifeWorld Medical Journal; Gert van Dijk, Veelke Derckx, Alexander de Graeff; 6/25Moving into the future, it is likely that doctors and other healthcare providers will be confronted more often with patients who would like to explore options for controlling their end of life care. They should correctly inform patients about the various clinical care options, including VSED [voluntarily stopping eating and drinking], and carefully guide them in the event of a decision to choose VSED. If healthcare providers have conscientious objections in providing care to people who choose VSED, then care must be transferred to a healthcare provider who is willing to provide the necessary care.

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Ethics of overtreatment and undertreatment in older adults with cancer

08/09/25 at 03:05 AM

Ethics of overtreatment and undertreatment in older adults with cancerBMC Medical Ethics; by Clark DuMontier, William Dale, Anna C. Revette, Jane Roberts, Ameya Sanyal, Neha Perumal, Eric C. Blackstone, Hajime Uno, Mary I. Whitehead, Lewis Mustian, Tammy T. Hshieh, Jane A. Driver, Gregory A. Abel; 7/25This modified Delphi study convened a panel of experts in biomedical ethics and reached consensus that the principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, and autonomy are related to our previously proposed definitions of over- and undertreatment in older adults with cancer. The panel also reached consensus that, in most cases, it is unethical to make a treatment recommendation without (1) formal assessment of patient frailty (e.g., via a geriatric assessment) and (2) the opportunity for a patient to share their values, goals, and/or preferences. The panel did not reach consensus regarding the relationship between justice and over-/undertreatment; however, the panel concluded that justice applies to undertreatment when an oncologist withholds potentially beneficial cancer treatment in an older patient based on their age alone.

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Lorazepam reduced restlessness, agitation in cancer patients with delirium

08/08/25 at 03:00 AM

Lorazepam reduced restlessness, agitation in cancer patients with delirium: Patients were also less likely to require any rescue medications MedPage Today; by Mike Bassett; 8/5/25Use of lorazepam-based regimens reduced persistent restlessness and agitation associated with end-of-life delirium in cancer patients, a randomized study showed.Key Takeaways:

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Demystifying dying in end-of-life-care: A phenomenological perspective

08/07/25 at 03:00 AM

Demystifying dying in end-of-life-care: A phenomenological perspective Death Studies; by Elisabet Sernbo, Magnus Weber, Charlotta Öhrling, Stina Nyblom; 8/26/25 This article focuses on experiences of the process of dying. The empirical material consists of interviews with patients in palliative care and their significant others. The analysis draws attention to the lived experiences of the participants - embedded in time, identities, social relations, and everyday lives - and to how the possibility of sense-making is conditioned by the lifeworld. ... [This] needs to be understood as reorienting work: supporting people when their lines become disrupted or need to be altered. This requires a display of radical empathy ...

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How one man’s dying wish was denied by the health care system

08/07/25 at 03:00 AM

How one man’s dying wish was denied by the health care system Synopsi, from MedPage Today; by Caitlin E. Morh, MD; 8/5/25 “This is Dr. Mohr.” I answered a number I didn’t recognize. “It’s Irving,” said the frantic voice. “He collapsed. The paramedics are working on him now.” “They’re doing compressions? Stop! Put the paramedic on the phone!” My father-in-law, Irving, the stoic Danish-American Navy veteran, had been on hospice for 3 months. His POST (physician order for life sustaining treatment) form was on file with the hospice agency and his custodial care facility: DNR/DNI, comfort measures only. ... “I’m Irv’s daughter-in-law. I’m a physician. He’s a DNR, he’s on hospice. Stop doing compressions.” 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 ... I listened to the ACLS algorithm unfold in the background. ...

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The heart of transformation: People, purpose and progress at City of Hope

08/05/25 at 03:00 AM

The heart of transformation: People, purpose and progress at City of Hope Modern Healthcare; by City of Hope; 7/14/25 As chief transformation officer at City of Hope, one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the U.S., Debra Fields has spent nearly a decade guiding the organization’s evolution. In this conversation, Fields shares her perspective on what it takes to lead meaningful transformation in healthcare including the power of vision, the importance of culture and the responsibility leaders have to care for both their people and themselves.

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Tennessee plans to execute inmate amid concerns his heart implant will shock him repeatedly

08/05/25 at 03:00 AM

Tennessee plans to execute inmate amid concerns his heart implant will shock him repeatedly CNN; by Dakin Andone; 8/4/25 Tennessee plans to execute Byron Black on Tuesday for the 1988 murders of a woman and her two young daughters, despite concerns from his attorneys that a device implanted to restore his heartbeat could repeatedly shock him as he’s put to death. The device – an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, or ICD – is at the center of a court battle that has been unfolding for several weeks. Black’s attorneys want the device deactivated at or immediately before his lethal injection Tuesday morning. If it isn’t, they say the effects of the lethal injection drugs will cause the ICD to shock Black’s heart, perhaps repeatedly, in an attempt to restore it to a normal rhythm. This will cause Black a prolonged and torturous execution, the attorneys argue, violating Eighth Amendment protections against cruel and unusual punishment.Editor's Note: Though this is not a hospice case, this traumatic scenario for persons with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator being repeatedly shocked--even after death--is crucial for the hospice interdisciplinary to know. Clinical, ethical, and legal issues abound. Click here for Shocked at End-of-Life: An Educational Video for Hospice Workers about Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators, research published by the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, May 2024.

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Burnout eases for doctors at every career stage as support rises

08/04/25 at 03:00 AM

Burnout eases for doctors at every career stage as support rises American Medical Association (AMA); by Sara Berg; 7/22/25 Physician burnout is showing promising signs of decline, according to exclusive survey data from the AMA. The analysis reveals that burnout rates have fallen among physicians at every career stage after residency or fellowship training. At the same time, measures of job satisfaction and feeling valued in the workplace are on the rise—an encouraging shift that suggests meaningful progress in efforts to support physician well-being.  ... Nearly 18,000 responses from physicians across 43 states were received from more than 100 health systems and organizations that participated in the AMA Organizational Biopsy® last year. The AMA national physician comparison report—which is exclusive data to the AMA that is not published anywhere else—reflects 2024 trends on six key performance indicators—job satisfaction, job stress, burnout, intent to leave an organization, feeling valued by an organization and total hours spent per week on work-related activities ... 

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Study reveals how medication side effects can lead to dangerous medication cycles in adults 65+

08/04/25 at 03:00 AM

Study reveals how medication side effects can lead to dangerous medication cycles in adults 65+ McKnights Long-Term Care News; by Donna Shryer; 7/31/25 When doctors treat drug side effects as new illnesses, older adults may be prescribed even more medications — a cycle known as a “prescribing cascade.” A new study says this prescribing cycle can increase the risk of harm. A prescribing cascade example cited in the research involves older patients taking calcium channel blockers for blood pressure control, which can cause ankle swelling side effects. Instead of first adjusting the blood pressure drug, some doctors immediately prescribe a diuretic to reduce the swelling — which for some, can create an unnecessary drug pair.

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Telemedicine special registrations for controlled substances

08/02/25 at 03:00 AM

Telemedicine special registrations for controlled substancesJAMA Health Forum; by Jacob T. Kannarkat, John Torous, Joseph T. Kannarkat; 7/25Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the requirement for in-person evaluation of patients prior to the prescribing of controlled substances via telehealth, as established by the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act (Ryan Haight Act), has remained provisionally held. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) previously proposed rulemaking to reintroduce the in-person patient evaluation requirement, as some unscrupulous clinicians and companies took advantage of this deregulated environment to overprescribe controlled substances. However, these flexibilities were extended through December 31, 2025, after the public voiced concerns over possible care disruptions in a landscape increasingly dependent on telehealth. Now, the DEA aims to compromise on prescribing flexibility with more practical enforcement measures.

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Why terminal cancer patients still receive aggressive treatment

08/01/25 at 03:00 AM

Why terminal cancer patients still receive aggressive treatment MedPageToday; by M. Bennet Broner; 7/31/25 Recently, researchers examined whether there had been any changes in the way terminal cancer patients died from 2014 to 2019, given the increased information available on hospice, palliative care, and advanced end-of-life planning (EOLP). They asked whether those who were terminal continued aggressive treatment until their demise. The authors anticipated a decrease in this, but found that the frequency of cancer patients who continued aggressive therapy had not declined. The study did not examine decision-making. Still, the researchers, based on other studies, theorized that the lack of change resulted from a confluence of physician and patient factors. ... [Physicians] might predict a more optimistic prognosis than justified, avoid discussing EOLP, support (over)intensive treatment, and/or overemphasize treatment effectiveness while minimizing its side effects. Oftentimes, given their statements, physicians will offer treatments they know to be of little value, believing that patients expect them to propose something rather than admit there was nothing realistic left to offer.Editor's Note: Pair this with our recent post, Doctors’ own end-of-life choices defy common medical practice.

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Doctors’ own end-of-life choices defy common medical practice

07/31/25 at 03:00 AM

Doctors’ own end-of-life choices defy common medical practice Medscape; by Cristina Ferrario; 7/29/25 A new survey revealed that most doctors would decline aggressive treatments, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), ventilation, or tube feeding for themselves if faced with advanced cancer or Alzheimer’s disease, choosing instead symptom relief and, in many cases, assisted dying. ... The researchers conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1157 physicians, including general practitioners, palliative care specialists, and other clinicians from Belgium, Italy, Canada, the US, and Australia. ... Over 90% preferred symptom-relief medication, and more than 95% declined CPR, mechanical ventilation, or tube feeding. Only 0.5% would choose CPR for cancer and 0.2% for Alzheimer’s disease. Around 50%-54% supported euthanasia in both cases.

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Tell us more podcast: Episode 1-Dr. Betty Ferrell

07/29/25 at 03:00 AM

Tell us more: Episode 1-Dr. Betty FerrellJournal of Palliative Medicine; podcast by Betty Ferrell, Yilong Peng, William E Rosa, Richard E Leiter; 7/22/25The Journal of Palliative Medicine'sTell Us More: The Palliative Care Oral History Project" seeks to tell the story of hospice and palliative care through informal interviews with pivotal leaders in the field. In each episode, hosts Drs. Ricky Leiter and Billy Rosa, along with research assistant Dr. Yilong Peng, sit down with an Hospice and Palliative Care luminary and do what our field does best-ask questions, listen, and reflect. In the first episode, Drs. Leiter and Rosa interviewed Dr. Betty Ferrell, Director of Nursing Research and Education, and a Professor at City of Hope Medical Center in Duarte, California. Editor's note: Listen now to this inspiring interview with Dr. Betty Ferrell.

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Nidal Rahal, MD: A quiet force in geriatric and hospice care

07/29/25 at 03:00 AM

Nidal Rahal, MD: A quiet force in geriatric and hospice care CEOWorld Magazine; by Anna Papdopoulos; 7/27/25 In a time when healthcare is growing more complex, Dr. Nidal Rahal is staying focused on what matters: his patients. From private hospital rooms to long-term care units, he’s been quietly building a career defined by service, leadership, and long hours. Based in Germantown, Tennessee, Dr. Rahal now runs his own practice—Geriatrics and Palliative Care PLLC ... “I’ve always believed in showing up where I’m most needed,” he says. “For me, that’s meant working with the elderly, with families, and with people facing end-of-life decisions.” ... His practice is now a central hub for hospitalized patient follow-up, inpatient rehab, and palliative consults. He remains active at St. Francis Bartlett, where he’s part of the Medical Executive Committee and serves as an admitting rehab physician. Despite the move, Dr. Rahal still works closely with Hope Hospice and Unity Hospice, continuing a leadership role that spans over a decade.

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Casting hope: A last wish by the water

07/29/25 at 03:00 AM

Casting hope: A last wish by the water The Citizen, Fayette County, GA; by Compassus Hospice; 7/27/25 For Compassus hospice patient Gerry Higginbotham of Fayetteville, GA, the simple act of casting a line into the ocean had long been a dream—one that felt just out of reach. But thanks to a compassionate care team and the support of the Angel Foundation, that dream became a reality. ... The Hospice Angel Foundation generously covered the cost of lodging near Tybee Island, GA. But transportation and food expenses remained a challenge. That’s when the Compassus Fayetteville hospice team did something extraordinary: they personally donated funds to cover the remaining trip costs, ensuring Gerry and his daughter could make the journey. ... This wasn’t just a trip—it was a moment of peace, purpose and joy for someone who had given so much of himself to others. 

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Dignity at risk: hospice care faces critical worker shortage amidst policy challenges

07/28/25 at 03:00 AM

Dignity at risk: hospice care faces critical worker shortage amidst policy challenges ABC WCIV-4 News, Charleston, SC; by Webb Wright; 7/23/25 Officials are giving dire predictions for the future of palliative care and hospice care. There's a rapidly growing need for nurses and healthcare workers in those areas, including home healthcare and nursing home workers. Educators and facilitators in those areas of care are working to prevent a crisis that's expected to peak in less than a decade. By 2033, the number of new projected jobs in this area of healthcare is expected to be more than 820,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. With a median starting salary of under $35,000, recruiters and workers are scrambling to fill the void sooner rather than later.

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Facing new CMS pressure, providers should audit mental health diagnoses, prescriptions: expert

07/24/25 at 03:00 AM

Facing new CMS pressure, providers should audit mental health diagnoses, prescriptions: expert McKnights Long-Term Care News; by Kimberly Marselas; 7/22/25 As reported in McKnight’s Long-Term Care News on July 23, “Nursing homes should be auditing documentation for all residents with mental health disorders to ensure their diagnoses are compliant with new federal guidance, a well-known clinical reimbursement recommended Tuesday. Leigh Ann Frick, president of Care Navigation Consulting, made that suggestion while reviewing updated Long-Term Care Surveyor Guidance that went into effect in late April. At over 900 pages, the new manual and appendixes have left many providers still navigating the changes and how best to respond to them. When it comes to giving antipsychotic medications, diagnosing patients with disorders that require them, or identifying and responding to any other patient needs, the guidance puts new emphasis on the use of professional standards, Frisk explained. Guest Editor’s Note, Judi Lund Person:  For nursing home residents who have elected the Medicare hospice benefit, this information may apply. Diagnosing mental health issues, prescribing, and documenting based on professional standards is an important component in the updated Long-Term Care Surveyor guidance issued in April.

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6 health systems that faced worker strikes this month

07/24/25 at 03:00 AM

6 health systems that faced worker strikes this month MedCity News; by Katie Adams; 7/22/25 Healthcare workers at six health systems across the country have launched strikes in July so far. These healthcare employees cite unsafe staffing levels, low wages and retaliation against union organizers as their main reasons for going on strike. From hospice centers to emergency rooms, frontline healthcare workers across the country have been striking this month to protest what they say are unsafe patient care conditions and poor bargaining behavior. Below are six examples of union activity resulting in a strike — all of which occurred in July.

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