Literature Review

HOPE Assessment Tool blog series: All about active diagnosesCHAP blog; by Jennifer Kennedy; 6/5/25The implementation date of the HOPE assessment is now five months away and providers should be well on the path for readiness... This blog series has been working its way through the domains of the HOPE assessment tool and this edition will discuss patient diagnoses and health conditions... This domain (Section I) and its items refer to the patient’s primary diagnosis and any active co-morbidities. It includes the most common principal diagnoses among hospice patients, as well as comorbidities and co-existing conditions...

Be ready for updated Special Focus Program, hospice experts sayMcKnight's Home Care; by Adam Healy; 5/9/25A revised hospice Special Focus Program is coming, and providers should make sure they have plans and procedures in place to be successful under this strict oversight program, Linda Woodle, director of accreditation at Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP), and Patricia D’Arena, vice president of clinical excellence at Enhabit Home Health and Hospice, said... When that program will be reinstated is anyone’s guess... The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has indicated that assessments will place a high emphasis on four specific Conditions of Participation: patient’s rights; initial and comprehensive assessment of the patient; interdisciplinary group, care planning and coordination of care; and quality assessment and performance improvement. So providers should ensure they meet all of these conditions’ requirements.

The HOPE Assessment Tool Series: Managing special circumstancesCHAP press release; by Jennifer Kennedy; 3/25Welcome to the next installment in the HOPE Assessment Tool Blog Series. We are discussing special situations such as patient transfers and traveling patients which may affect HOPE assessment tool completion.

CMS Hospice Special Focus Program: What every hospice leader needs to knowCHAP; by Jennifer Kennedy, Kim Skehan; 1/22/25Join Jennifer Kennedy and Kim Skehan for an unfiltered conversation about the CMS Hospice Special Focus Program (SFP), launched on January 1, 2025. This transformative program is reshaping hospice care—and Jennifer and Kim are here to ensure you’re prepared to adapt and thrive. In this episode, they simplify the complexities of SFP, exploring how it works, who it impacts, and most importantly, how your hospice can stay ahead. Learn how to interpret the program’s data-driven selection process, evaluate your organization’s readiness, and build the strategies you need to mitigate risks while maintaining top-quality care.

Locally and veteran-owned Headwaters Hospice and Palliative Care expands healthcare offerings for Montana communities Business Post Examiner, Helena, MT; by Michael Brown; 1/22/25 In just one year since receiving the prestigious CHAP Accreditation, Headwaters Hospice and Palliative Care has become a cornerstone of compassionate care in the Helena Valley, Montana. ... Building on this success, Headwaters Hospice and Palliative Care is proud to announce its expansion into the Butte/Silver Bow County area, bringing its renowned services to even more Montanans. In addition to hospice care, the company will begin offering palliative care services in 2025. These services will not only provide an alternative provider for Helena but will also be the only in-home palliative care option available in Butte.