Literature Review

Record funding raised for Tidewell Hospice, Empath Health HomeCare News; 3/21/24 Nearly 600 people attended the Tidewell Foundation’s Crystal Anniversary Signature Luncheon on Friday, March 1, at The Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota. The 15th Annual event, the Tidewell Foundation’s largest fundraiser, raised a record $434,558 to benefit Tidewell Hospice and Empath Health services that reach more than 10,000 people each year in Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties in Florida. Health advocate, movie, TV and Broadway actress, five-time Golden Globe nominee, New York Times best-selling author and memory expert Marilu Henner was the keynote speaker. Henner is a spokesperson for Alzheimer's disease awareness. She has been a vocal advocate for hospice care, and in 2019 she became a spokesperson for the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. 

5 myths about dying that too many people believeThe Hearty Soul, by Maria Sykes; 3/21/24 Myth# 1: I should always stay positive for the sake of my loved one.Myth #2: I should make sure my loved one eats, drinks, and sleeps as normal.Myth #3: I need to prolong my loved one's life as much as possible.Myth #4: It's important to limit the use of painkillers to keep my loved one healthy.Myth #5: If I seek help to care for my loved one, I'm a failure. 

Amid tense negotiations, Oregon nurses allege patient neglect by PeaceHealth during strike Eugene Register-Guard, by Miranda Cyr; 3/20/24 Tensions between PeaceHealth and Sacred Heart home health and hospice nurses persist, with the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) claiming last week that PeaceHealth neglected patients during the nurses' two-week strike in February. ... ONA has been negotiating a new contract with PeaceHealth for a full year. The last contract expired in April of 2023. Despite 40 negotiation meetings, no agreement has been reached, according to ONA.

Hospice group pushes for clarity in N.Y. state budget as some warm to for-profit care Spectrum News 1; by Susan Arbetter; 3/19/24 New York state has the lowest utilization of hospice in the country, which can be attributed to several factors, including low health literacy rates. But the state’s recent progress in support of end-of-life care may be threatened by something even more insidious: corporate greed. To investigate that issue nationally, a joint request for information was issued by the federal Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Trade Commission into private equity-backed health care and its impact on quality. Yet despite dire warnings, New York state is slowly opening the door to for-profit, private equity-backed hospice care. 

Home-based care employment exceeding pre-pandemic levels Hospice News, by Jim Parker; 3/19/24 Employment in the home-based care sector rose above pre-pandemic levels in 2023, according to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC). The U.S. Department of Commerce defines this sector to include hospices, home health agencies, private duty, pediatric agencies and other providers of care in the home. ... Nevertheless, workforce pressures and associated costs are overwhelmingly the industry’s most damaging headwind, including the associated wage hikes, enhanced benefits and bonus programs. The shortages also have reduced clinical capacity, which has contributed to drops in patient census and length of stay for many providers.

CAHPS Hospice Survey - Quality Assurance Guidelines V10.0: Technical Corrections and Clarifications, March 2024 

Aging Media Network, a WTWH media company, announces 2024 Aspect Awards WinnersSkilled Nursing News, by Jessica Longly; 3/18/24 Aging Media Network, a WTWH Media company, is proud to announce the 2024 Aspect Awards winners. With more than 60 submissions across the categories of Behavioral Health, Home Health & Home Care, Hospice & Palliative Care, Senior Housing & Senior Living, and Skilled Nursing (SNF), the focus on innovation and creativity is sharper than ever before. [Click on the title's link for the full list. Of note for this newsletter's readers:]

Care coordination, quality data crucial to hospice referral growthHospice News, by Holly Vossel; 3/18/24Care coordination and quality data will be engines for hospice referral growth. Hospices saw census volumes drop during the COVID-19 public health emergency as facilities nationwide restricted access to patients amid mandated state closures. Providers often turned to electronic communications to reach patients in facility- and community-based settings alike. Adaptability has been among the keys to coping with the pandemic’s lingering punches in referral streams, according to Craig Dresang, CEO of California-based YoloCares. As end-of-life care received a spotlight during a global pandemic, the historical viewpoints around hospice care delivery have been undergoing a “fundamental shift,” Dresang said.

Should the DOJ break up UnitedHealth Group? MedCity News, by Marissa Plescia; 3/17/24 The U.S. Department of Justice has reportedly recently launched an antitrust investigation of UnitedHealth Group, which begs the question of whether the healthcare giant should be broken up. Experts have varying opinions.

Healthcare workers' mental well-being among ECRI's top patient safety concerns Becker's Behavioral Health, by Rylee Wilson; 3/14/24 The mental and physical well-being of the workforce is one of the ECRI's top 10 patient safety concerns for 2024.  The nonprofit organization published its annual list detailing the biggest threats to patient safety March 12. "Rampant physical and emotional exhaustion" has led some healthcare workers to leave the workforce, creating stress on those who remain and possibly threatening patient care, according to ECRI's report. 

Telehealth study investigates reimbursements for rural health care deliveryMedical Xpress, by Vincent Jacobbi, Mayo Clinic; 3/15/24A recent Mayo Clinic study published in the American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine investigated how telehealth in palliative care may provide value for rural caregivers, health care teams and their patients. Researchers were particularly interested in determining what billing models were most cost-effective and sustainable for health care teams and caregivers transitioning patients from hospital to home care

Radiothon raises over $32,000 for Quiet Oaks Hospice House WJON Radio News; 3/14/24The St. Cloud radiothon held on Tuesday was a huge success for a local nonprofit. ... The radiothon is the kickoff to the fundraising campaign for Quiet Oaks Hospice House. ...

Medicaid Fraud Control Units Fiscal Year 2023 Annual ReportU.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; 3/14/2024Medicaid Fraud Control Units (MFCUs or Units) investigate and prosecute Medicaid provider fraud and patient abuse or neglect. [This 32 page, downloadable document includes:]