Literature Review

What's not talked about in healthcare enough? Becker's Health IT, by Naomi Diaz; 3/14/24 In the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare technology, industry leaders express a common concern: the overshadowing of fundamental practices by the allure of cutting-edge innovations. Becker's asked seven hospital and health system leaders at the HIMSS 2024 annual meeting: What's something in healthcare or the health tech space that is not talked about enough?

California Leads the State-Level Battle Against Hospice Fraud Hospice News, by Jim Parker; 3/13/24As hospice program integrity remains in the spotlight, California remains the only state to take action on curbing the problem. Beginning in 2021, numerous reports emerged of unethical or illegal practices among hundreds of newly licensed hospices, particularly among new companies popping up in California, Texas, Nevada and Arizona. California’s Department of Justice (CDOJ) in 2021 issued a report detailing the state’s history of lax oversight.

A fond farewell: Musings on the end of the Medicare Advantage Hospice Carve-In Demonstration Husch Blackwell, podcast with Meg Pekarske and Chris Comeaux; 3/14/24It came as a surprise to our team when we learned that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) was ending the hospice component of Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) on December 31, 2024. Upon learning this, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske contacted Chris Comeaux, the president and CEO of Teleios Collaborative Network, to see if he wanted to share his thoughts on this unexpected turn of events and what may be on the horizon. This is a forward-looking conversation where we explore how the lessons learned can galvanize new advocacy on the best ways to care for patients with advanced illnesses.

'It's been really inspiring': Grace House continues end-of-life care despite challenges Akron Beacon Journal, by Kelsie Horner; 3/13/24Through a flood and financial challenges, an Akron nonprofit has continued to provide end-of-life care and companionship for people who might otherwise die alone. Since opening its doors 1½ years ago, Grace House has cared for 66 residents during their final days. ... Grace House is one of only three organizations in the nation to provide free, “non-barrier” end-of-life care for people who are unhoused or alone.

Nearly 53% of hospices undergo multiple audits simultaneouslyHospice News, by Jim Parker; 3/12/24Program integrity and an onslaught of audits are top of mind for many hospice providers in 2024. The nation’s four largest hospice industry organizations — LeadingAge, the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC), the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) and the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) — in late 2023 conducted a 133-respondent provider survey focused on regulation. ... About 52.9% reported having multiple audits, each of a different type, within six months of one another, and 31% said they were required to submit the same charts for each of these audits.

Hospice of the Valley offering services in TucsonTucson.com, by Debbie Shumway, Executive Director of Hospice of the Valley; 3/4/24We are honored to share that Hospice of the Valley is now serving patients and families in Tucson. Our nonprofit agency was founded by a group of volunteers in 1977 and our mission has never wavered: Bringing comfort, dignity and compassionate care to our community.

Spiritual care key to addressing disparities among underserved black communities Hospice News, by Holly Vossel; 3/11/24Spiritual hospice care providers are an important link to building bridges of access and trust among underserved African American populations. ... Having a historical context of understanding around the faith-based barriers among African American populations is a significant part of improving utilization, according to Wayman Scott, associate director of diversity, equity, inclusion and community relations at Maryland-based Gilchrist. Scott also has a background in hospice chaplaincy and serves as chair of the diversity committee at the Hospice & Palliative Network of Maryland.

CT bill would create a statewide pediatric hospice program: 'Make this a reality for our children' The Darien Times, by Cris Villalonga-Vivoni; 3/11/24There are only a handful of agencies specifically providing end-of-life care to children in the state, said Moss, who is also the founder of Connecticut Children’s Hospital palliative care team, the Sunflower Kids. “Every dying child in the state of Connecticut deserves this expertise and support of the hospice program,” Moss said. “It is time we make this a reality for our children.” The need for pediatric hospice care is felt throughout the state, even if the volume of people seeking out these services is often low, said Tracy Wodatch, president and chief executive officer of the Connecticut Association for Healthcare at Home.

How changing reproductive health laws could impact perinatal hospice Hospice News, by Holly Vossel; 3/8/24 Evolutions in reproductive health laws may have reverberating impacts on the demand and delivery of perinatal hospice care. Perinatal hospice care is provided to families choosing to continue a pregnancy following a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis indicating a high risk of mortality before or shortly after birth. This care includes emotional, spiritual and medical support to families navigating the complexities of a terminal illness. Perinatal hospice providers work closely with health care professionals in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) and reproductive health settings. 

Ohio’s Hospice cuts unnamed number of staff, CEO confirms Journal-News Butler County; by Samantha Wildow; 3/8/24Ohio’s Hospice has reduced its staff by an unnamed number of employees, the CEO confirmed to the Dayton Daily News. Ohio’s Hospice is a partnership of nonprofit hospices in Ohio committed to “a shared vision of strengthening and preserving community-based hospices,” the organization said.  “Since our beginning, our focus has been and will always be on the patients and families we have the privilege of serving,” said Kent Anderson, CEO of Ohio’s Hospice. The nonprofit has faced “inflationary pressures,” he said, which have impacted labor, energy and other costs.

The Joint Commission, Kaiser Permanente announce application period for 2024 Bernard J. Tyson National Award for Excellence in Pursuit of Healthcare Equity GlobeNewswire, by The Joint Commission; 3/5/24 The Joint Commission and Kaiser Permanente are now accepting applications for the 2024 Bernard J. Tyson National Award for Excellence in Pursuit of Healthcare Equity. The award program will recognize a healthcare organization that led an initiative that achieved a measurable, sustained reduction in one or more disparities. Bernard J. Tyson, the late CEO and chairman of Kaiser Permanente, worked tirelessly to address the disparities that plague the U.S. healthcare system. Now in its fourth year, the award honors Tyson’s legacy by presenting organizations the opportunity to earn national recognition for their efforts to improve healthcare equity, as well as share best practices and lessons learned with thousands of organizations across the country.

Tour a room at Quiet Oaks Hospice House video WJON News, St. Cloud, MN; 3/6/24 Even though Quiet Oaks Hospice House has been in our community for over 15 years now, many of us have never actually visited the home. They have eight rooms with all suites similar in size and layout. Executive Director Linda Allen says they have a large-sized hospital bed so loved ones can sleep together. Other room amenities include a TV, radio, and wifi. ... The rooms are equipped with a call button for help and have a camera monitoring system.Editor's Note: This simple, warm, practical video can help allay fears of hospice patients, caregivers, and family members. This type of visual information can be especially supportive to long distance family members who might be grappling with the news of moving their loved one to a hospice facility.

Health systems invest in productivity Becker's Hospital Review, by Laura Dyrda; 3/6/24 Productivity is a buzzword for most workplaces today, and healthcare is no different. U.S. productivity measures showed big increases for the first time in years, according to a report in The New York Times, as organizations leverage artificial intelligence and aim to do more with less. For [health systems], many experiencing staffing shortages and tight margins, developing a culture of increased productivity is imperative.