Literature Review

When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful. ~Malala Yousafzai

Emotional and ethical impacts on healthcare professionals performing cardiopulmonary resuscitationAmerican Journal of Hospice & Palliative Medicine; by Patrick J. Macmillan, Susan Hughes, Dumindra Gurusinghe, Allison Go, Chase Lancaster, Iris Price; 6/26Many studies exist outlining poor outcomes related to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) administered to patients who are elderly and/or have comorbid medical conditions with sudden cardiac arrest. Studies show only 10% of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and initial asystole survive until they reach the hospital. Less than 5% survive until hospital discharge with good neurologic function. This study presents data that suggests that there is an association between moral distress and performing CPR on individuals who are elderly with multiple comorbid medical conditions. More than sixty percent of our respondents were challenged emotionally during these types of code situations, and a similar number of healthcare workers felt the code could be considered unethical.

Reach of palliative care in Parkinson disease-Progress and gaps after a national team-based implementation projectNeurology in Clinical Practice; by Sandhya Seshadri, Umer Akbar, Peggy Auinger, Nicole Andrea Lessard, Megan Dini, Sally A. Norton, Hillary D. Lum, Jodi Summers Holtrop, Janis M. Miyasaki, Christina L. Vaughan, Benzi M. Kluger; 6/26While clinical trials demonstrate PC [palliative care] improves quality of life for PWP  [people with Parkinson disease] and carepartners, little is known about the impact of PC on their experiences of receiving care in real-world settings. At COEs [Parkinson's Foundation US-based Centers of Excellence], [surveyed] PWP reported significant increases in non-motor symptom (NMS) assessment ... and pain management ...  Emotional and spiritual needs were addressed more frequently ... Advance care planning (ACP) discussions [and documentation] rose ... Communication ratings and knowledge of PC were high (>85%) and stable across surveys.

National Health Expenditure Projections, 2025–34: Strong utilization growth initially, legislative impacts laterHealth Affairs; by Jacqueline A. Fiore, Andrea M. Sisko, John A. Poisal, Sheila D. Smith, Gigi A. Cuckler, Andrew J. Madison, Sean P. Keehan, Kathryn E. Rennie, and Nicholas J. Feehley; 6/26By 2034, national health spending is projected to total nearly $9.0 trillion and to represent 20.6 percent of the economy, compared with $5.3 trillion and 18.0 percent in 2024. The rate of national health spending growth during this period is influenced by continued elevated use of medical services and goods through 2026; major legislative changes that affect insurance coverage and spending through 2028; and continued demographic shifts toward public programs, mainly Medicare. The insured share of the population is expected to be 90.5 percent in 2034, compared with 91.8 percent in 2024.

Serious illness and health care threats to personal legacy goalsThe Permanente Journal; by Marlaine Figueroa Gray, Matthew P Banegas, Nora B Henrikson; 6/26High-quality care for people with serious illness requires understanding what matters most. Although goals-of-care conversations may emphasize values and treatment preferences, patients hold goals related to identity, relationships, and legacy; how they wish to be remembered and what they hope to leave behind. Five themes emerged [from the participant interviews]: 1) participants actively planned for legacy, with legacy goals often clarified by serious illness; 2) illness and its care introduced threats to legacy goals; 3) financial strain and insurance coverage were major threats; 4) participants believed their care would differ if teams understood their legacy goals; and 5) participants wanted to communicate their legacy goals to their care teams. Integrating legacy-related conversations into palliative care may enhance person-centered care by addressing identity, relationships, and meaning alongside medical preferences.Assistant Editor's note: This article summary describes a very important aspect of end-of-life planning. Exploring with patients their legacy goals is as important as discussing their preferences surrounding their care. Including legacy goals as an integral component of goals of care and advance care planning discussions would yield a greater understanding of what kind of care would most honor the patient.

Saturday newsletters focus on headlines and research - enjoy!

It is not the length of life, but the depth of life.  ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

WTWH Media rebrands as Arrowfly, unifying 40+ brands under a new identity built for the future of B2BHospice News press release; 7/13/26WTWH Media ("WTWH"), an award-winning B2B media and marketing company, today announced it has rebranded as Arrowfly. The new name and identity reflect the company's transformation from a specialized trade publisher into an omnichannel B2B media, events, and marketing company where hard-to-reach professional decision-makers gather for trusted journalism, industry intelligence, and high-impact experiences that move their markets forward.Publisher's note: Kelly Tkac of Hospice News, Palliative Care News, Home Health Care News, etc., shared this exciting update with us at the Alliance's Finance and Technology Conference this week in Boston.

5 top execs to depart Enhabit in wake of Kinderhook Acquisition Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 7/16/26 Five of Enhabit Inc.’s six top executive leaders are departing two months after the company’s acquisition by Kinderhook Industries. Newly appointed CEO Dale Clift will remain. Enhabit confirmed to Hospice News’ sister publication Home Health Care News that five leaders are set to depart in the coming weeks. The leaders include CFO Ryan Solomon, Executive Vice President of Home Health Julie Jolley, Executive Vice President of Hospice Jeanna Kalvaitis, Chief Human Resources Officer Tanya Marion and General Counsel and Secretary Dylan Black.

Meet the pair traveling Route 66 to encourage blood donation amid shortage The Oklahoman; by Carla Hinton; 7/14/26 As part of their 'Miles For Kindness' movement, two women are traveling Route 66 to encourage people to donate blood. Two women whose lives have been affected by blood donation are traveling miles from home in a colorful decommissioned ambulance to raise awareness about the nation's blood supply shortage. Marie Forrestal and Lori Talbot left their homes in Cranford, New Jersey, about a week ago to travel Route 66 to share their "Miles of Kindness" message. The pair stopped in Oklahoma City on Monday to host a blood drive at the Drybar salon at Classen Curve, in partnership with Our Blood Institute. The two sat in lawn chairs near their ambulance while visiting with customers and others who dropped by. 

Nurse practitioner: my patient qualified for hospice. I couldn’t get her there The Examiner News; by Diane Pagan; 7/15/26 ... I’ve been Marie’s primary care nurse practitioner for seventeen months. She was referred to me at the time by her PCP because she could no longer physically manage going into the office. She suffered from dementia and her gait was worsening ... Marie’s daughter chose a hospice agency close to her home. The agency reviewed my referral and notes and accepted Marie into their program. The next step was to send them a Certificate of Terminal Illness (CTI) stating that Marie had a terminal illness with an anticipated life expectancy of 6 months or less. Then the obstacle arose. I couldn’t sign the form. ... The inability of nurse practitioners to sign a CTI does not stem from their lack of education or clinical expertise in determining when a patient is nearing end of life. The restriction is rooted in federal Medicare law, written more than 40 years ago, when the role of nurse practitioners was very different than it is today.