Literature Review
All posts tagged with “Clinical News | Advanced Illness Management News.”
‘Early discussions on what to expect can lessen the strain’
03/21/25 at 03:00 AM‘Early discussions on what to expect can lessen the strain’ Nursing Times; by Kylie Chaffin; 3/19/25 The article explains the pros and cons of nutrition and hydration at end of life and the several types of artificial nutrition and hydration that can be used, written in a way patients and families can understand. Resources and educational articles, like this one, can also be a great way to introduce new or even more effective ways nurses and care team members can support patients and families when pursuing a palliative approach to their health and wellbeing. My question for readers is, “Should the conversation of end-of-life, hospice and palliative care, and nutritional changes, be initiated sooner rather than later in patients with a terminal diagnosis?”
10 things hospice doesn’t tell you, shared by a Cleveland Clinic doctor
03/21/25 at 03:00 AM10 things hospice doesn’t tell you, shared by a Cleveland Clinic doctor The Healthy; by Patricia Varacallo, DO (author) with Laura Hoeksema, MD, MPH, FAAHPM (medical director for Cleveland Clinic Hospice); 3/19/25 ... Dr. Hoeksema shares key insights about hospice care and reminds patients and families that the hospice team is always available to answer questions and provide support when things feel uncertain.What hospice does not tell you, but you should know:
Impacting end-of-life care with new healthcare legislation: Patient-Directed Medical Orders (PDMO) in advance care planning
03/20/25 at 03:00 AMImpacting end-of-life care with new healthcare legislation: Patient-Directed Medical Orders (PDMO) in advance care planningAmerican Nurse - State Nurses Associations - Florida News Journal; by Meredith Fischer, BSN, RN, CHPN; 3/19/25 Over the summer, a friend’s elderly father underwent resuscitation and intubation because his nursing facility could not locate his Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNRO) or Advanced Directive (AD). ... New legislation is being filed for a Patient-Directed Medical Order (PDMO) document designed to address the shortcomings of the ADs and DNRO forms—currently the primary tools for addressing end-of-life care preferences in Florida. The PDMO form originates from the POLST paradigm, which has been adopted by most states since its inception in Oregon in the early 1990s (National POLST, 2022). Healthcare professionals recognized that many individuals were not receiving the end-of-life care outlined in their ADs and DNROs due to accessibility, clarity, and practicality (National POLST, 2022).
The Stanford Letter Project helps you discuss your end-of-life wishes
03/20/25 at 03:00 AMThe Stanford Letter Project helps you discuss your end-of-life wishesKALW 91.7 FM - Your Call, Bay Area, CA; by Rose Aguilar and Nina Kissinger; 3/18/25 On this edition of Your Call, we discuss the importance of conversations, letters, and advance directives in communicating your end-of-life care wishes to loved ones and doctors. Although 92 percent of US adults say it's important to discuss their end-of-life care wishes, only 32 percent have had this conversation, and less than one-third have advanced-care directives in place. ... The Stanford Letter Project was designed to give you the tools you need to start the process. Dr. VJ Periyakoil, the founder and director of the project, shares her insights into making end-of-life care plans and resources to help guide you through the process. ... Resources [with links to the content]:
Weinstein Hospice launches innovative VR initiative: : The program will allow residents to enjoy "bucket list" experiences
03/20/25 at 03:00 AMWeinstein Hospice launches innovative VR initiative: The program will allow residents to enjoy "bucket list" experiences Atlanta Jewish Times; by AJT Staff; 3/12/25 Jewish HomeLife and Weinstein Hospice are pioneering a new way to bring joy, comfort, and meaningful experiences to hospice patients through the groundbreaking Weinstein Hospice VR Initiative. This transformative program harnesses the power of virtual reality (VR) to fulfill unforgettable “bucket list” experiences, offering patients moments of joy and cognitive stimulation that transcend their physical limitations. For Vicki and Ed A., this initiative has been nothing short of miraculous. ... One of the most profound moments for Ed came when he was able to experience Scuba diving again—virtually. ...
Why aging parents make DNR choices before crisis strikes
03/19/25 at 03:00 AMWhy aging parents make DNR choices before crisis strikes Rolling Out 25; by Khalil Best; 3/17/25The conversation typically begins quietly. ... An aging parent mentions their desire for a Do Not Resuscitate order—commonly known as a DNR—and the atmosphere in the room shifts. For many adult children, this moment arrives unexpectedly, triggering complex emotions ranging from denial to grief. Yet these discussions, uncomfortable as they may be, represent one of the most meaningful exchanges families can share. Understanding why many elderly parents choose to sign DNR orders in advance illuminates not just practical healthcare concerns, but deeper values about dignity, autonomy, and what constitutes a meaningful life.
VITAS Healthcare is first hospice organization to earn American Heart Association Heart Failure Certification across all 15 states and DC
03/19/25 at 02:30 AMVITAS Healthcare is first hospice organization to earn American Heart Association Heart Failure Certification across all 15 states and DC Florida News Guide, Miami, FL; Press Release; 3/18/25 ... VITAS has become the first nationwide hospice provider to earn the American Heart Association® Palliative/Hospice Heart Failure certification across all 15 states in which it operates. The certification applies to 56 unique VITAS service areas, including the District of Columbia. ... “Many patients with heart failure do not receive the hospice care that could significantly improve their final months of life,” said Joseph Shega, MD, executive vice president and chief medical officer at VITAS. “This certification affirms our commitment to providing evidence-based hospice care that helps patients and families navigate advanced heart disease with dignity, comfort and the right level of support.”
Revamped tool can reliably assess pain symptoms in dementia patients: researchers
03/19/25 at 02:00 AMRevamped tool can reliably assess pain symptoms in dementia patients: researchers McKnights Long-Term Care News; by Zee Johnson; 3/17/25 ... A team of researchers reconstructed the End-of-Life Dementia-Comfort Assessment in Dying, or EOLD-CAD, after a multifacility study showed that caregivers could adequately and reliably address a host of pain symptoms seen in end-of-life dementia patients. ... When clinicians working in the SNFs that were part of the trials used the EOLD-CAD, they were able to detect patterns in more than 600 residents that fell into four categories: physical distress, symptoms of dying, emotional distress, and well-being. Common symptoms observed across these categories were restlessness, shortness of breath, choking, gurgling, difficulty in swallowing, fear and anxiety. ...
2010 to 2019 saw early palliative care billing up for advanced cancer
03/18/25 at 03:00 AM2010 to 2019 saw early palliative care billing up for advanced cancer HealthDay News; by Elana Gotkine; 3/17/25 For patients with distant-stage cancers, there was an increase in early palliative care (PC) billing from 2010 to 2019, but the level remained low, according to a study published online March 7 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. ... The researchers found that in 2010 to 2019, there was an increase in the percentage with early PC billing among 102,032 patients treated by 18,908 unique physicians, from 1.44 to 10.36 percent. The likelihood of early PC billing was increased in association with treating physician's early PC referrals in the previous year and organizations' employment of any HPM specialist (3.01 and 4.54 percentage points, respectively).
[International] Healthcare on the brink: Palliative Care Unit and Late Shift
03/18/25 at 03:00 AM[International] Healthcare on the brink: Palliative Care Unit and Late Shift The 75th Berlin International Film Festival - Part 7, wsws.org; by Martin Nowak and Bernd Reinhardt; 3/16/25 Two films, the drama Late Shift (Heldin) and the documentary Palliative Care Unit (Palliativstation), featured at this year's Berlin International Film Festival, addressed the current situation in German and Swiss hospitals. The sold-out festival screenings reflected the burning public interest in this topic. This is particularly remarkable bearing in mind that Palliative Care Unit has a running time of more than four hours. ... [In the] documentary Palliative Care Unit by Philipp Döring, shot at the Franziskus Hospital in Berlin, ... [the] camera quietly observes the daily routine, staff consultations and the constant empathy of the head of the ward towards employees and seriously ill patients, who usually spend their last weeks here. The very calm, always discreet images emphasise the necessity of sufficient time for care and reflection when making life-critical decisions. ... How can the highest possible quality of life be achieved? The high ethical standard of treating incurable patients as active human beings ... is admirable and makes a lasting impression throughout the film.
End-of-life conversations: ‘When they open the door, you have to go in’
03/18/25 at 03:00 AMEnd-of-life conversations: ‘When they open the door, you have to go in’ Oncology Nursing News; by Pattie Jakel, MN, RN, AOCN; 3/13/25Oncology nurses have a unique relationship with patients that allows for difficult but essential end-of-life conversations, says expert Patricia Jakel, MN, RN, AOCN. Jakel, one of the editors in chief of Oncology Nursing News, emphasized that following up with patients and ascertaining what answers and support they need comes with the close bonds that oncology nurses form with patients with cancer. ... [Jakel describes:] We play a really important role. And sometimes patients ask us difficult questions, and we have to be prepared for it. I remember a lovely young patient I had, she had 2 little girls, and she was very sick. And things weren’t going well for her in the hospital, and she just—she looked up at me and she said, "Am I dying today?" And I thought, "She’s opening the door. She needs to have this conversation.” And I said, “It’s not going to be today, but I think it’s going to be soon.” And she kind of chuckled, because her sister was at the bedside, and she said to her sister, “I need my makeup done. I want my makeup on today, if today’s not the day.” And that took us to a whole conversation about what dying would look like for her.Editor's note: Read and share this significant, sensitive video/article from its source, Oncology Nursing News. What communication education and support do you provide for your nurses? Explore this similar article from Oncology Nursing News, "APPs, Oncologists Work Together for End-of-Life Discussions," 11/2/24.
Less wealth at death linked to more end-of-life symptoms
03/18/25 at 02:30 AMLess wealth at death linked to more end-of-life symptoms McKnights Long-Term Care News; by Kristen Fischer; 3/10/25 Older people with less wealth showed a higher burden of symptoms when they approached the end of their lives compared with those who had more wealth, a study found. The report was published in JAMA Network Open on March 6. Investigators looked at data from 8,976 older adults. The team evaluated 12 end-of-life symptoms including difficulty breathing, frequent vomiting, low appetite, difficulty controlling arms and legs, depression, and severe fatigue or exhaustion.Then they correlated symptoms to individuals’ wealth. Wealth was broken into three categories: low wealth was having less than $6,000; medium wealth was having between $6,000 and $120,000; and high wealth was considered having more than $120,000 at the time of death. Of respondents, 22.5% had low wealth, 50.5% had medium wealth and 27.1% had higher wealth. People who had less wealth were more likely to have a higher burden of symptoms compared to those who had more money. Functional impairment, multimorbidity and dementia were factors that affected the association, data revealed.Editor's note: Click here for this important JAMA article, posted in our Saturday Research issue 3/15/25, "Wealth disparities in end-of-life symptom burden among older adults."
Leverage collaboration, detailed notes to improve end-of-life care
03/17/25 at 03:00 AMLeverage collaboration, detailed notes to improve end-of-life care Home Helath Line; by MaryKent Wolff; 3/13/25 Educate your hospice staff on monitoring symptoms that could indicate a patient is nearing the end of life. Agencies that manage these symptoms early and take the time to prepare and comfort caregivers and families for the transition could see these successes reflected in their CAHPS Hospice survey scores. [Subscription required for more content.]
Is Medicare ready for an aging america? Home-based care offers hope
03/17/25 at 03:00 AMIs Medicare ready for an aging america? Home-based care offers hope RealClear Health; by Jonathan Fleece, JD (President and CEO of Empath Health) and Dr. Steve Landers (CEO of the National Alliance for Care at Home); 3/12/25Too often, families face an impossible situation: a loved one is ready to leave the hospital, but no home health provider is available. Or they’re told hospice is the best option, but administrative red tape delays access to comfort and support. These failures put patients at risk. ... This experience underscores why policymakers must protect and expand access to home-based care—before more patients fall through the cracks. ... According to one analysis, in a recent three year period, hospital stays for patients waiting to be discharged to post-acute care providers increased by 24 percent, deteriorating health outcomes and quality of life. Discharge delays – caused by hospital capacity issues and workforce shortages – not only cause harm to patients; they also add unnecessary strain and costs on our healthcare system.
[UK] RCGP shifts to position of neither supporting nor opposing assisted dying
03/17/25 at 03:00 AM[UK] RCGP shifts to position of neither supporting nor opposing assisted dying RCGP - Royal College of General Pracitioners, London, UK; Press Release; 3/14/25 The Royal College of General Practitioners' Council has voted to move to a position of neither supporting nor opposing assisted dying being legal. The RCGP UK governing Council - elected representatives of the wider College membership – today voted to determine what the College’s stance should be on whether or not assisted dying should be legal:
Flu season lingering despite springlike weather in Indiana
03/17/25 at 03:00 AMFlu season lingering despite springlike weather in Indiana NBC WTHR 13, Indianapolis, IN; by Dustin Grove; 3/14/25 With warmer weather moving into central Indiana, you'd think flu season would be over by now, but it's still hanging on. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates at least 33 million cases of flu nationwide, with 430,000 people hospitalized. So far, 19,000 have died. "(I think) it is more severe than it has been in the past few years. I think that with those numbers ... it really tells a story and that, especially with the 19,000 deaths, we're talking about a serious illness this year," said Dr. Darlene Lawrence. "COVID is waning, folks are having vaccine wariness." ... Even with spring weather arriving and the thought that flu season is waning, it's still not too late to get vaccinated. ... Flu is particularly dangerous for the elderly, people with chronic conditions and children, she said. ... Patients can talk to their doctor or pharmacist to help find the best vaccine for them.
Psychedelics for cancer pain and associated psychological distress: A narrative review of a potential strategy
03/15/25 at 03:20 AMPsychedelics for cancer pain and associated psychological distress: A narrative review of a potential strategyCancer Medicine; Erika Belitzky, Lis Victoria Ravani Carvalho, Melissa Taylor, Cristina Naranjo Ortiz, Laura Baum, David A Fiellin, Maryam B Lustberg; 3/25Cancer pain can ... be exacerbated by anxiety, depression, quality of life challenges, and fear of death and dying, as well as by fear of recurrence or progression. Psychedelics, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin, mescaline, and N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), are under consideration as new pharmacologic strategies for mitigating pain and the distress associated with cancer pain and associated symptom burden. Although published studies are limited, regulatory hurdles have decreased. Many clinical trials are underway to assess further the use of psychedelics and behavioral counseling for patients with cancer and comorbidities such as anxiety or depression. Early results are promising, and additional research is needed to understand efficacy and tolerability in broader cancer populations.
Wealth disparities in end-of-life symptom burden among older adults
03/15/25 at 03:10 AMWealth disparities in end-of-life symptom burden among older adultsJAMA Network Open; Irena Cenzer, Kenneth E Covinsky, Sarah H Cross, Claire K Ankuda, Lauren J Hunt, Melissa D Aldridge, Krista L Harrison; 3/25This cohort study found that lower wealth was associated with a higher symptom burden at the end of life, mediated in part by higher rates of multimorbidity, functional impairment, and dementia. These findings highlight the need for policies and programs to support patients with lower financial resources to improve end-of-life experiences and mitigate wealth disparities.
How Houston Methodist’s ACO reduced its end-of-life spending by nearly 20%
03/13/25 at 03:00 AMHow Houston Methodist’s ACO reduced its end-of-life spending by nearly 20% MedCity News - Hospitals; by Katie Adams; March 10, 2025 Houston Methodist Coordinate Care is reducing costs through a partnership with Koda Health, a digital platform that guides patients through their end-of-life choices. Preliminary findings show the technology resulted in a 19% reduction in the total cost of care for patients at the end of their life, which equals nearly $9,000 in savings per patient. ... The ACO has been working with Koda Health for more than three years — and it is saving money by getting patients more involved in their end-of-life care plan.
My Stories program preserves cherished memories of patients in hospice
03/12/25 at 03:00 AMMy Stories program preserves cherished memories of patients in hospice The Alpena News, Alpena, MI; by Reagan Voetberg; 3/8/25 The Hospice of Michigan in Alpena preserves the stories of patients, not in a book or photo album, but on a flashdrive. It’s called the My Stories program. Patients in hospice are given the opportunity to video record their stories and memories for their loved ones to hear once they’ve passed. Patients do not have to pay a dime to record their life stories. Alpena’s Hospice of Michigan Volunteer Program Coordinator Kristie Lukes talked about how meaningful the My Stories project is to patients and their families. Lukes coordinates volunteers to help patients with their recordings. Lukes explained further what My Stories is. “It’s a recording of the patient’s life and the stories that they want to share with family and patients,” she said. “So it becomes kind of a legacy project.”
Intervention increases palliative cancer care consultations/lowers EOL care
03/12/25 at 02:00 AMIntervention increases palliative cancer care consultations/lowers EOL care CancerNetwork.com; by Roman Fabbricatore; 3/11/25A palliative care (PC) intervention combining algorithm-based automated identification of patients eligible for PC led to an increase in PC visits and a decrease in end-of-life systemic therapy among patients with cancer, according to a randomized clinical study (NCT05590962) published in JAMA Network Open. ... "... Prior efficacy trials in oncology have tested early PC in controlled, primarily academic settings.2To our knowledge, this is the first effectiveness randomized clinical trial of algorithm-driven default specialty PC in community oncology.”
How to start the hospice conversation: Judy Bartel
03/11/25 at 03:00 AMHow to start the hospice conversation: Judy Bartel Cleveland.com, Cleveland, OH; by Guest columnist Judy Bartel, chief clinical officer for Hospice of the Western Reserve; 3/9/25 Discussing hospice care with a loved one is one of life’s most delicate and emotional conversations. For many, the word “hospice” evokes fear -- fear of finality, of giving up, of losing hope. But the truth is, hospice isn’t about giving up; it’s about focusing on what matters most -- comfort, dignity and quality of life. ...
At the end of life, doctors’ actions and patients’ wishes may be misaligned, according to a Rutgers Health study
03/10/25 at 03:00 AMAt the end of life, doctors’ actions and patients’ wishes may be misaligned, according to a Rutgers Health study Rutgers; by Greg Bruno; 2/28/25 For terminally ill cancer patients, the final days of life are immensely personal, having the choice to continue cancer treatments, or to stop treatments and prioritize a more comfortable passing. What a patient wants, however, isn’t always what they receive, according to a Rutgers Health study published in the journal Cancer. “A patient's end of life is often not a reflection of what they want, but rather, who their oncologist happens to be,” said Login S. George, a health services researcher at the Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, and lead author of the national study. “The data doesn’t indicate patient-centered treatment decisions, but rather, more habitual or default ways of treating patients,” says George, who is also a member of the Cancer Prevention and Control Program at Rutgers Cancer Institute, the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. ... [Click on the title's link for more statistics, insights, and recommendations.]
Report finds those with Parkinson’s have unmet hospice needs
03/10/25 at 02:10 AMReport finds those with Parkinson’s have unmet hospice needsMcKnights Long-Term Care News; by Kristen Fischer; 3/6/25 Hospice use varies depending on whether a person has Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and those with Parkinson’s may have more unmet needs, a new study finds. Researchers evaluated data on 11,327,324 Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in hospice between 2010 and 2020 as part of their study, which was published Tuesday in JAMA Network Open. ... Hospice enrollees who had Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies were less likely to be disenrolled from hospice due to extended prognosis compared to those with Alzheimer’s disease. People who had Parkinson’s disease but not dementia with Lewy bodies were more apt to have longer stays over 180 days and turn hospice away compared to those with Alzheimer’s disease. (Short stays were defined as those less than seven days.)
Using virtual reality to improve outcomes related to quality of life among older adults with serious illnesses: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials
03/08/25 at 03:50 AMUsing virtual reality to improve outcomes related to quality of life among older adults with serious illnesses: Systematic review of randomized controlled trialsJournal of Medical Internet Research; Bhagvat Maheta, Alexandra Kraft, Nickolas Interrante, Soraya Fereydooni, Jeremy Bailenson, Brian Beams, Christina Keny, Thomas Osborne, Karleen Giannitrapani, Karl Lorenz; 2/25Virtual reality (VR) has promise as an innovative nonpharmacologic treatment for improving a patient's quality of life. VR can be used as an adjunct or treatment for many acute and chronic conditions, including serious illnesses. Nascent evidence suggests VR's potential in mitigating pain, anxiety, and depression and improving mobility among persons with serious illnesses.