Literature Review

The green ICU: how to interpret green? A multiple perspective approach Critical Care; by Elisabeth Smale, Heather Baid, Marko Balan, Forbes McGain, Scott McAlistar, Jan J. de Waele, Jan Carel Diehl, Erik van Raaij, Michel van Genderen, Dick Tibboel & Nicole Hunfeld; 2/18/25Mitigating environmental impacts is an urgent challenge supported by (scientific) intensive care societies worldwide. However, making green choices without compromising high-quality care for critically ill patients may be challenging. ... To put this challenge of achieving quality care standards with sustainable use of resources into perspective, the current paper pinpoints a three-step approach towards a green ICU by (I) measuring environmental sustainability, (II) outlining strategies to improve sustainability and (III) elaborating on how to communicate results to create a synergy of sustainability initiatives within ICUs. Editor's note: With its focus on care for critically ill patients, how might this three-step approach be applied to hospice GIP settings?

What's keeping CFOs up at night? Becker's Hospital CFO Report; by Alan Condon; 2/14/25 As health system CFOs chart their course for 2025, they face an increasingly complex financial landscape marked by mounting labor costs, tightening margins, shifting payer dynamics and an evolving regulatory environment. ... [Several] CFOs recently joined the “Becker's CFO and Revenue Cycle Podcast” to discuss the trends they're watching most closely — and the strategies they're deploying to stay ahead. [Key items include the following: labor shortages (key theme); major investments in ambulatory care facilities; AI to support operations and service; physician partnerships; shift from fee for service to value-based care; clinical labor; malpractice litigation; growth of Medicare Advantage programs; staffing shortages; inflation; reimbursements; providing care to undersinsured patients; Medicaid supplemental funding programs; "disruptors' by private equity and "other nontraditional players"; uncertainty of federal and state regulation changes.]

How medtech is meeting the demand for hospital-at-home care Modern Healthcare; by Lauren Dubinsky; 2/13/25 Medtech companies have their eye on the growing hospital-at-home market, which is driven largely by the rising elderly population, the prevalence of chronic diseases and favorable reimbursement policies. There have been hiccups but some of the largest health systems have leaned into providing hospital-level care at home. ... The desire to safely provide care for patients at home is creating a ripe opportunity for companies like Masimo, Cardinal Health, Medline Industries and McKesson, despite some uncertainty. The global home healthcare market was valued at $257 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach nearly $531 billion by 2032, according to a Vantage Market Research report published in September.

Impact of inpatient palliative care on end-of-life care among patients with early-onset colorectal cancerJournal of Clinical Oncology; Suriya Baskar, Bohae R Lee, Rajiv Midha, Udhayvir Singh Grewal; 1/25Palliative care has proven benefits in elderly patients with advanced cancer; however, the objective benefits of palliative care in younger patients with cancer remain under-studied. We sought to examine the impact of inpatient palliative care consultation on end-of-life (EOL) care among hospitalized patients with early-onset colorectal cancer (EO-CRC). Inpatient palliative care consultation at EOL among patients with EOCRC was associated with lesser use of aggressive interventions and higher rates of DNR code status. We also noted significantly lower costs of hospitalization among patients receiving inpatient palliative care consultation at EOL. These results underscore the importance of integration of inpatient palliative care consultation among patients with EOCRC at EOL. 

432 rural hospitals at risk of closure, breakdown by state Becker's Hospital CFO Report; by Andrew Cass; 2/12/25 There are 432 rural hospitals vulnerable to closure, according to a Feb. 11 report from Chartis, a healthcare advisory services firm. Chartis analyzed 15 vulnerability indicators and found that 10 were statistically significant in predicting hospital closures, including: Medicaid expansion status, average length of stay, occupancy, percentage change in net patient revenue and years of negative operating margin. Of the 48 states with rural hospitals, 38 have at least one at risk of closure, according to the report. The states with the highest number of vulnerable hospitals are: 

Flu cases continue to rise across the countryABC 6 News, Rochester, MN; by KAALTV; 2/10/25Flu cases are continuing to rise across the country as doctor visits for flu-like symptoms are now reaching their highest point in 15 years. The CDC estimates at least 24 million illnesses this flu season alone, with 13,000 turning deadly. Right now, about 31% of flu tests are coming back positive, nearly double the peak from last season. Doctors say your best line of defense is vaccination.Editor's note: We see this surge across news media sources, and compiled this state-specific list for you. 

Palliative care initiated in the Emergency Department-A cluster randomized clinical trialJAMA; Corita R. Grudzen, MD, MSHS; Nina Siman, MA, MSEd; Allison M. Cuthel, MPH; Oluwaseun Adeyemi, MBBS, PhD; Rebecca Liddicoat Yamarik, MD; Keith S. Goldfeld, DrPH, MS, MPA; PRIM-ER Investigators; 1/25Question-What is the effect of a multicomponent intervention to initiate palliative care in the emergency department on hospital admission in older adults with serious, life-limiting illness? In this cluster randomized clinical trial, which was conducted at 29 US emergency departments and included 98,922 initial visits, there was no difference in the rate of hospital admission in older adults with serious, life-limiting illness receiving care before (64.4%) vs after (61.3%) emergency department clinical staff receipt of a multicomponent primary palliative care intervention. Relevance-This multicomponent intervention to initiate palliative care in the ED did not have an effect on hospital admission, subsequent health care use, or short-term mortality in older adults with serious, life-limiting illness.

Baptist Health announces joint venture to enhance home health services Lane Report, Louisville, KY; 1/31/25 To further expand the delivery of high-quality care to a growing population, Baptist Health announced a joint venture with national home health leader Alternate Solutions Health Network (ASHN) to enhance services across Kentucky, southern Indiana and southern Illinois. Effective March 3, the joint venture will be owned by Baptist Health and ASHN and will continue operating as Baptist Health Home Care. 

Palliative care slashes ED visits, hospitalizations in people living at home with dementia: study McKnights Long-Term Care News; by Kristen Fischer; 1/30/25 A program that provides palliative care to people with dementia and their caregivers lowered the number of emergency department visits and hospitalizations by approximately half in about a year, a new study shows. Those who benefitted the most from the Indiana Palliative Excellence in Alzheimer Care Efforts (IN-PEACE) initiative were Black people and those with lower incomes. A report detailing the findings was published in JAMA ... The 50% decrease in emergency department visits and hospitalizations among people who received the intervention shows that the program can keep some people with dementia out of the hospital, where they can develop complications and functional declines.

16 states where virus activity remains high: 5 updates Becker's Clinical Leadership; by Alexandra Murphy; 1/27/25 The CDC is reporting high levels of respiratory virus activity across the U.S. While respiratory syncytial virus levels are beginning to peak in many areas of the country, flu-related emergency department visits are at very high levels and are still rising, according to the latest data. Thirteen states are experiencing "high" respiratory virus activity: Texas, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Minnesota, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Hawaii and Washington, D.C. Three states are experiencing "very high" levels: New Hampshire, New Jersey and Wisconsin. [Click here for the CDC's "Respiratory Virus Activity Levels," with more detailed data and maps for all 50 states.]

Wellesley couple has donated more than $3M toward palliative care at local hospital WickedLocal.com, Newton, MA; by Beth McDermott; 1/29/25 A Wellesley couple recently committed $1.6 million to support palliative care at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, bringing their total contribution to more than $3 million. In a press release, hospital officials said the latest donation from Steve and Rebecca Sullivan will fund a palliative care nurse navigator position to benefit the entire hospital, especially its emergency department. The role is expected to improve the quality of care for seriously ill patients, streamline patient flow and support care teams. A previous $1.5 million gift from the Sullivans, in 2021, endowed the Sullivan Family Chief of Palliative Care position, held by Dr. Kosha Thakore.

Kaiser Permanente physicians negotiate new labor agreement Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 1/27/25 Resident physicians at California-based Kaiser Permanente have recently negotiated a new agreement that includes compensation increases and expanded mental health and wellness employee benefits. The agreement came after months of negotiations and included salary increases over the next three years, along with more paid time off and enhanced financial support for resident physicians. It also included roughly $40,000 to fuel an annual patient-project fund.