Literature Review

Temporary regulatory relief for South Carolina health care providers responding to Hurricane Helene Baker Donelson; Alissa D. Fleming; 10/4/24 South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster declared a State of Emergency on September 25, 2024, to prepare for Hurricane Helene. On September 29, 2024, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Federal Major Disaster Declaration (FEMA-4829-DR) for South Carolina. On September 30, 2024, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared a public health emergency in South Carolina, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued several blanket waivers to provide greater compliance flexibility and continuity of care while responding to Helene in the geographic area covered by the President's declaration. These waivers [detailed in the article] provide health care facilities with flexibility in service delivery, staffing, and patient care, aimed at alleviating the strain caused by Helene. Further, HHS, the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS), and other regulatory bodies have announced relief efforts, all aimed at reducing administrative burdens so providers can continue to care for and treat those in need. ...7. Hospices Assessment Timeframe Extension: CMS is extending the timeframe for updating comprehensive hospice patient assessments from 15 to 21 days, though initial and ad-hoc assessments must still be completed based on patient needs. ...Editor's note: Click on the title's link to continue reading. Other CMS waivers are defined for 1. General ... for Health Care Facilities; 2. Critical Access Hospictals; 3. Hospital and Long Term Care Facilities; 4. Skilled Nursing Facilities; 5. Home Health Agencies; 6. DME, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies; 7. Hospice (above); 8. Practioner Licensure and Enrollment ... HIPAA; Disaster Relief

Empath Health established Hurricane Helene Assistance Fund to support colleagues South Florida Hospital and Heaclthcare Report; by Victoria Tanner; 10/6/24 At Empath Health, we believe that caring for our colleagues is just as essential as caring for our patients and families. In response to the recent devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, we have established a special Hurricane Helene Assistance Fund within our Colleague Assistance Fund (CAF) to offer immediate financial relief to colleagues who have been impacted by the storm. This fund is designed to help those facing unexpected expenses, such as temporary housing, home repairs, and other essential needs that have arisen in the wake of the hurricane. By creating this targeted fund, we aim to ensure that our team members can access the resources they need to recover and rebuild during this difficult time. “Our colleagues are the heart of our mission, and in times of crisis, we stand by them just as they stand by our patients,” said Jonathan Fleece, President and CEO of Empath Health. “This fund allows us to help those who give so much to others, ensuring they have the support they need when it matters most.” ... Hurricane Helene, which impacted West Central Florida on [September 26], stands as the most severe storm to hit the region in over a century. Empath Health, with over 3,000 colleagues, serves communities across 20 counties, stretching from Collier County in the south to Marion County in the north. Editor's note: We understand that contributions are made by Empath's colleagues. For other, hospice contributions (especially links where the general public can contribute to hospice staff and/or hospice needs, please contact us via these links, Editor and/or Publisher. Thank you.

Introducing the Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE) tool [CMS webinar]CMS press release; 10/2/24The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering a web-based training course that provides an overview of the Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE) tool and how it relates to the Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP) as described in the fiscal year (FY) 2025 Hospice Final Rule. This training is intended for all hospice providers. The 30-minute course can be viewed on demand and includes interactive exercises to help you understand and apply the content presented. While it is intended that these eight lessons be completed in sequential order, you may also jump directly to any topic of interest.

Helene and Hospice: "We're seeing such personal sacrifices ... It's heartwarming and heartbreaking ..."Hospice & Palliative Care Today; Zoom meeting with Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN), Chris Comeaux and Tina Gentry; 10/2/24[These excerpts are from a Zoom meeting between TCN's leaders Chris Comeaux (Hendersonville, NC just outside of Asheville, NC) and Tina Gentry (Fort Mill, SC) and this newsletter's leaders Cordt Kassner and Joy Berger. Click here for the longer transcription. Continue reading for ways you can help.] Chris Comeaux: There's great tragedy, great devastation, and there are beautiful miracles occurring at the same time. … I know I'm going to keep using words like historic, unprecedented, devastating. There are not even words to describe what we’re seeing. ... Tina Gentry: It's just heart wrenching. You want to be able to go and fix things and you just can't do it, right? You don't feel like you can do enough. And knowing that there are certain limitations and that we have to rely on other resources to help support our teams. We have to do what we can and then trust that others will do what they can to help.  ...Chris Comeaux: All of our all staff is accounted for. Some are still without water, electricity. [Some] staff at Four Seasons [Hospice], CCWNC [Community Care of Western North Carolina], Amorem staff … have completely lost their homes. They’re gone. We have a wonderful partner that serves many of our hospices. Yesterday, they found the body of their dear neighbor. They can't even get to their house. It would be a 10-mile hike through things that today--in modern days--you would go, “How is that possible?” … I've always heard the word, “aftermath.” I now understand what people mean by “aftermath.” ...Tina Gentry: … We’re seeing such personal sacrifices from those team members on the ground. It’s really heartwarming and heartbreaking all at the same time. ...Chris Comeaux: … What I've seen is, sometimes you have friendly rivalries in the hospice and palliative care world. That's gone. We're all family right now and that--I just, whew--that moves me to tears. That's the type of stuff that's like, you know what? Ok, that gives me hope that we are going to get beyond this. ... [See this in Today's Encouragement.]Key Themes:

Long-term use of muscle relaxant medications for chronic pain-A systematic reviewJAMA Network Open; Benjamin J. Oldfield, MD, MHS; Brynna Gleeson, BA; Kenneth L. Morford, MD; Zoe Adams, MD; Melissa C. Funaro, MLS; William C. Becker, MD; Jessica S. Merlin, MD, PhD, MBA; 9/24Chronic pain, commonly defined as pain that lasts beyond 3 months and/or extends past normal tissue healing time, affects millions of US residents, with a 2021 prevalence of 21%. In this systematic review ... muscle relaxant medications were assessed. Muscle relaxants may be more beneficial than placebo for treating trigeminal neuralgia, painful cramps, and neck pain, but for fibromyalgia, low back pain, and other syndromes, they did not appear to be beneficial. Clinicians should be vigilant for adverse effects and consider deprescribing if pain-related goals are not met. 

Awards and Recognitions: September 2024 We congratulate these honorees and celebrate their contributions to our collective hospice and palliative care mission, vision, and compassionate care throughout our world. Do you know any of these leaders? We encourage you to forward this to them or to find another way to celebrate their success. 

Well-being outcomes of health care workers after a 5-hour continuing education intervention-The WELL-B randomized clinical trialJAMA Network Open; J. Bryan Sexton, PhD; Kathryn C. Adair, PhD; 9/24To test the effectiveness of Well-Being Essentials for Learning Life-Balance (WELL-B), a web-based continuing education program [was developed] to deliver ... interventions to improve 4 dimensions of HCW [health care workers] well-being (ie, emotional exhaustion, emotional thriving, emotional recovery, and work-life integration). [The] ... sessions improved short-term HCW emotional exhaustion, emotional thriving, emotional recovery, and work-life integration. Health care worker impressions of WELL-B were positive. These findings suggest that WELL-B is a beneficial intervention.

Blumenauer proposes overhaul to Hospice Benefit: If enacted, the legislation would be the single most significant update to the hospice benefit and payment structure since its inception in 1982. U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer, Washington, DC; Press Release; 9/26/24Today, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee, introduced the Hospice Care Accountability, Reform and Enforcement Act (Hospice CARE Act) to modernize Medicare’s hospice benefit, which has remained largely unchanged since its inception in 1982. The proposal comes as egregious reports of fraud and abuse within the benefit persist, despite action from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The legislation is the product of years of collaboration between stakeholders, lawmakers, and industry leaders. It builds on Blumenauer’s decades-long commitment to ensure the federal government supports families at a time of great stress and vulnerability: the end of life.

Amazon Wish List from 3 hospices affected by Hurricane HeleneWe have gathered a list of items needed by each of our member organizations that were significantly impacted by Hurricane Helene.  If you are interested in donating items, please click on the links below to make a purchase.  The items will be shipped directly to the member organization(s).  Wish lists from member organizations:

Helene and Hospice Updates

CMS to Provide Hurricane Helene Public Health Emergency Accelerated and Advance Payments to Medicare Fee-for-Services Providers and SuppliersCMS press release; 10/2/24The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is taking action to support providers and suppliers impacted by Hurricane Helene within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster zones, under the President’s major disaster declarations. These providers and suppliers may face significant cash flow issues from the unusual circumstances impacting facilities’ operations, preventing facilities from submitting claims and receiving Medicare claims payments. As a result of the presidential disaster declaration, and HHS public health emergencies declared in the wake of Hurricane Helene, CMS made available accelerated payments to Medicare Part A providers and advance payments to Medicare Part B suppliers affected by Hurricane Helene beginning October 2, 2024.

Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief Fund for home care & hospice employees in the CarolinasAssociation for Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina (AHHC of NC); by Judy Penn, Executive Director; 10/3/24 Click here to DONATE. Click here to APPLY for Assistance. urricane Helene has severely impacted our community, with many lives already lost in the Carolinas, and countless missing with no means of communication.  The Carolinas Foundation for Hospice & Home Care is accepting donations to distribute directly to hospice and home care employees devastated by this storm. Agencies are facing tremendous challenges, including displacement and/or evacuation of staff and patients, collapsed roads, failing infrastructure, lack of water, and the inability to communicate with downed lines. There is a major need for gas to continue to power generators for oxygen dependent patients both in home settings and hospice inpatient facilities. The Association staff has been in contact with government agencies to us keep up-to-date on the situation as it unfolds. Our industry is comprised of caring, compassionate individuals who help those in need. Please consider donating to the Hurricane Helene Relief Fund to help home care and hospice employees hit the hardest. ... 100% of ALL ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS are being borne by the Association and the Foundation. 100% of your donation (tax-deductible) comes in, and 100% of your donation goes out.