Literature Review

Factors influencing the self-reported palliative care practices of acute care nursesWestern Journal of Nursing Research; Keshia Kotula, Catherine Dingley, Du Feng, Lori Candela, Megan Pfitzinger Lippe; 1/25 Provision of palliative care in acute care settings is significantly lacking despite evidence that early integration leads to better patient/family-related outcomes and improved healthcare cost and efficiency. A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used to examine the effects of personal and environmental factors on nurses’ palliative care practices in the acute care setting. Personal factors, especially self-efficacy and attitudes toward care of the dying, are the most significant influencing factors to the frequency of acute care nurses’ palliative care practices.

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.

High reliability in action — a closer look at Unit-Based Quality Rounds Mass General Brigham; 1/7/25 ... “We’re creating a new process and I’m so proud of all of you because what you have accomplished so far has been amazing,” Nursing Director Vivian Donahue, RN, said at the opening of the huddle with just over 20 physicians, nurses, advance practice providers (APPs), unit staff and hospital and system senior leaders in attendance, including Thor Sundt, MD, chief of Cardiac Surgery for Mass General Brigham. ... At the unit’s first huddle in October, a conversation about the availability of hospice care generated a new referral process that connects patients receiving end-of-life care and their families to hospice services and ongoing emotional support for those coping with the passing of a loved one. At the Dec. 11 huddle, Donahue reported that the unit had provided this welcome, deeply appreciated additional support to five patients and their families.

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. 

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.

Healthcare under siege: Defending hospitals from ransomware threats Cylera; by Maureen Sahualla; 1/22/25 Hospitals today are very concerned about ransomware attacks - and rightly so. A recent research report from Comparitech, Ransomware Roundup: 2024 End-of-Year Report (published on January 9th, 2025) found:

Wildfire emergency: Health facility evacuation details California Department of Public Health; Press Release; page updated 1/21/25Wildfires can lead to emergency evacuations and it’s important to follow your local officials when evacuations are ordered. If you’re looking for current evacuation information, monitor local news outlets (television, radio, etc.) as well as official social media sites for emergency responders (sheriff, police, fire). Be sure to follow the directions of safety personnel to ensure your safety and the safety of first responders. If you are ordered to evacuate your home or the area, do so immediately. Time is crucial!​ The table below contains the latest health facility evacuation ​information: [Click on the title's link to view the list.] 

Which health facilities have been impacted by L.A.-area fires? AI may paint a clearer picture DirectRelief; by Andrew Schroeder; 1/14/25 Geospatial AI and remote sensing advance health system impact analysis shows where facilities have been damaged or destroyed -- and where medical needs may be greatest. One of the most important factors for humanitarian responders in these types of large-scale disaster situations is to understand the effects on the formal health system, upon which most people — and vulnerable communities in particular — rely upon in their neighborhoods. Evaluation of the impact of disasters ... is traditionally a relatively slow and manually arduous process, involving extensive ground truth visitation by teams of assessment professionals. Speeding up this process without losing accuracy, while potentially improving the safety and efficiency of assessment teams, is among the more important analytical efforts Direct Relief can undertake for response and recovery efforts.