Literature Review

Teleios announces Teleios University graduates Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN), Hendersonville, NC; by Tina Gentry; 12/16/24 Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN) announced its 2024 Teleios University (TU) graduates. Nine individuals successfully completed the year-long program, earning their certificates in leadership excellence. TU’s Leadership Excellence program is unlike any other. This one-year course is provided through monthly webinars, experiential monthly activities, quarterly challenges and more. It culminates with a capstone project and earns each participant who completes the assignments a certification in leadership excellence. This year’s graduates include the following leaders in the Hospice and Serious Illness Sector:

Stabilizing local hospice and home health services celebrated as a gift at holiday gathering Juneau Empire, Juneau, AK; by Mark Sabbatini; 12/14/24 Heather Richter says she’s optimistic about the long-term prognosis for hospice and home health services in Juneau, a little more than two years after they were on life support when the agency that had provided them for 20 years suddenly shut down and sent officials into a lengthy struggle to establish a new program. Richter, director of the Home Health and Hospice Program at Bartlett Regional Hospital, said 68 families have been participants since the hospital officially took over the program in July of 2023. Funding for the program, a key concern raised this spring due to a massive budget shortfall at the hospital, now appears more stable due to Juneau Assembly members supporting a five-year operating plan and support from the Juneau Community Foundation. “We’re in the clear,” she said during a “Light Up a Life” Community Celebration hosted by the program at the hospital on Friday evening. ...

‘Open door’ policy for staff key to preventing hospice False Claims Act complaints Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 12/13/24 Taking employee concerns seriously about patient eligibility and other issues can help prevent hospices from becoming involved in a False Claims Act case. The overwhelming majority of False Claims Act cases involve qui tam whistleblowers, usually a current or former employee who observed alleged malfeasance or errors. In a qui tam action, a whistleblower, called a “relator” by the courts, files a False Claims Act suit on behalf of the government and possibly receives a portion of any funds recovered by the government via the lawsuit, typically ranging from 15% to 25%. In Fiscal Year 2023, for example, these cases recovered $2.3 billion of the total $2.68 billion recouped by the government in FCA settlements and judgements, according to a report from the law firm Polsinelli.

Vitas Healthcare unveils inpatient hospice unit at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields GlobeNewswire, Chicago, IL; Press release; 12/12/24 Residents of Olympia Fields and Chicagoland’s surrounding southern suburban communities can now access quality end-of-life care at the VITAS Healthcare Inpatient Hospice Unit at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields. Located on the second floor of the hospital at 20201 South Crawford Ave., this new facility is expected to serve more than 500 seriously ill patients each year. “We are grateful to have this hospice unit as part of our hospital campus, where we can provide compassionate care to patients and families during one of life’s most sacred and challenging times,” said Raymond Grady, president and chief executive officer of Franciscan Health Olympia Fields. “This unit meets a critical need in our community, offering comfort, dignity and spiritual support to those at the end of life.”

Early successes, untapped potential, lingering questions: AI Adoption in Healthcare Report 2024 Medscape; by Jon McKenna; 12/6/24 ... For this report, Medscape partnered with Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), a global professional society that includes an interest group focused on AI-related issues. ... Data came from a jointly managed survey to practicing physicians and other clinicians, practicing nurses, IT professionals, clinical leadership, and executive leadership at medical organizations. All respondents were in the U.S. 

Coaching and caring for others with Meredith Damore Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast hosted by Chris Comeaux; 12/11/24 In this episode of the Anatomy of Leadership podcast, Meredith Damore, Elevate’s SVP of Organizational Effectiveness and Managing Director, Consulting for Elevate Talent, and Chris discuss various topics related to leadership and organizational effectiveness. Meredith has spent a large portion of her career taking coaching and leadership into the private equity world to help start ups be more successful.  A great quote from their time together was a definition of culture that Meredith uses from Carolyn Taylor, “Culture is the patterns of behavior that are encouraged, discouraged, tolerated and not tolerated, most often starting with a leadership team and exhibited broadly by people and systems within an organization over time.” Editor's note: Telios Collaborative Network (TCN) is a sponsor of our newsletter.

Edward D. Viner, celebrated chief physician and medical pioneer, has died at 89 The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, PA; by Gary Miles; 12/10/24 Edward D. Viner, 89, of Haverford, retired and celebrated acting chief of medicine at Pennsylvania Hospital, chief of medicine emeritus at Cooper University Hospital, hospice and inpatient care pioneer, expert in hematology and oncology, longtime physician to the Philadelphia Orchestra and Philadelphia Flyers, mentor, and veteran, died Sunday, Dec. 1, of acute myeloid leukemia at his home. ... He established the nascent hospice program at Pennsylvania Hospital in 1975 after facing his own catastrophic medical situation in 1972 and became its chief advocate and fundraiser. ...  In 2015, Dr. Viner established and directed the Center for Humanism at the Cooper Medical School of Rowan to “foster the development of humanistic and professional health care practitioners.” In July 2024, center officials renamed it the Edward D. Viner Center for Humanism. [Click on the title's link to continue reading Dr. Viner's significant contributions to end-of-life care.]

Hospice artisans combine talent and heart to raise $750k for Hospice of the Calumet Area over the years GreatNews.Life; by Hospice of the Calumet Area; 12/9/24 For years, Hospice of the Calumet Area has been blessed by angels in its corner, including a group with a passion for art and philanthropy. The Hospice Artisans, a dedicated team of volunteers, host their annual Holiday Market to showcase elevated, carefully curated gift items, all handmade with love. This year’s event, held on Nov. 9 at St. Maria Goretti Church in Dyer, attracted more than 700 shoppers, a testament to the community’s support for the mission. Since its inception, this initiative has raised over $750,000 to support Hospice of the Calumet Area in Munster, assisting patients and families during life’s most delicate moments. ... Volunteers range in age from as young as eight to their 70s and beyond, each contributing unique skills.

Design work to prevent burnout: A new model for improving work design supports change that increases employee engagement and reduces stress MIT Sloan Management Review; by Sharon K. Parker and Carline Knight; 12/10/24... In the U.S., 67% of workers report feeling disengaged from their work, and 49% intend to leave their current job. ... In this article, we’ll introduce readers to our SMART Work Design model. This model captures and synthesizes the most important characteristics for worker well-being and performance from both the Jobs Characteristics and Job Demands-Resources models into five dimensions: stimulating work, mastery, autonomy, relational work, and tolerable demands (thus the SMART acronym). HR leaders, managers, and employees can use the model to identify aspects of work that lead to disengagement and burnout and then create a healthier work environment and improve performance. (See “A Model for Making Work Smarter.”)

Community raises $6,190 for CVHHH on Giving Tuesday VB Vermont Biz; 12/7/24 Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice (CVHHH) in Barre raised $6,190 on Giving Tuesday, December 3, 2024, thanks to a generous match challenge from J.A. Gould Plumbing & Heating. In 24 hours, thirty-five donors contributed $4,690. An additional $1,500 match from J.A. Gould Plumbing & Heating brought the Giving Tuesday total to $6,190 to support home health, hospice, long-term care, and family-child health care at Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice (CVHHH). “We are humbled by the outpouring of support from donors near and far on Giving Tuesday,” said Emily McKenna, CVHHH’s Chief Advancement Officer.  

A call to action for business leaders in health care: Prioritizing employees’ mental health is a necessity Las Vegas Sun - Veagas Inc; Guest column by Karen Rubel; 12/9/24 As mental health continues to be recognized as a vital component of overall well-being, businesses—especially those in health care—must stay vigilant and proactive in addressing mental health challenges within the workplace. The importance of this issue has never been greater,  ... In a hospice setting, the emotional toll on caregivers is significant. Health care workers often form close bonds with their patients and their families, and the loss of a patient can be deeply affecting. At Nathan Adelson Hospice, our teams regularly come together to review patient care plans, but they also take time to discuss their personal experiences and challenges. These discussions provide an opportunity for our staff to offer mutual support and care. This peer-to-peer connection fosters a sense of community and helps staff process their emotions in a healthy way. ...

HomeCare & Hospice seeking blanket donations to comfort hospice patients The Batavian, Batavia, NY; 12/5/24 HomeCare & Hospice is inviting the community to help bring warmth and solace to individuals in their final stages of life by donating new lap blankets. As the colder months approach, these blankets not only provide physical warmth but also deliver emotional comfort, offering a small but meaningful way for the community to support those in need. ... Blankets can be newly handmade or purchased from retail stores, offering flexibility for those who wish to contribute. Both options are deeply appreciated, as they provide comfort and care to hospice patients who need it most. Editor's note: This simple, practical request can be replicated easily, with meaningful outcomes. 

Seasons Hospice, Homestead Hospice House successfully raise $850,000 KTTC, Rochester, MN; by Ryan Paris; 12/6/24 On Tuesday, Dec. 3, the Homestead Hospice House Board of Directors and Seasons Hospice reached its fundraising goal of $850,000. With the help of the money raised during the fundraiser, it makes the expansion of access to residential hospice care even more possible. Now that the fundraising goal is met, the two boards will now begin the process of negotiating details of a lease agreement for the new hospice facility. Once that lease is finalized, the next phase will be the beginning of the licensing process through the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Once all is complete, the formal timeline for the house reopening will be established.