Literature Review

Executive Personnel Changes - 10/11/24 

Pathway to leadership and self-mastery with Mike Harbour Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast by Chris Comeaux; 10/9/24 Mike Harbour and Chris Comeaux dive deep into the transformative power of self-mastery and all things leadership.  Mike shares about his personal journey of overcoming trauma and learning how to observe himself while navigating life’s challenges. Mike highlights a key insight: leaders must first address their own internal battles before they can effectively lead and care for others.  The conversation explores the relevance of stoicism, urging leaders to confront unresolved issues that could otherwise undermine their leadership. Self-mastery isn’t just a tool—it’s the foundation of strong leadership. ... 

Compassus CEO Mike Asselta: Hospice, home health JVs crucial to growth Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 10/9/24 Home-based care provider Compassus has been on a growth trajectory for several years running – placing hospice and home health at the center of its strategic vision. Compassus provides home health, home infusion, palliative and hospice care across 30 states. The home-based provider also offers advanced care management and skilled nursing facility-at-home services. Joint ventures with health systems have been an important part of expanding Compassus’ footprint and reaching patients in need of greater support in the home, said CEO Michael Asselta. Hospice News recently sat down with Asselta to discuss the company’s growth plans after he stepped into his new role in May. ... [Click on the title's link to continue reading.]

Mission Hospital nurses, HCA agree to new contract Becker's Hospital Review; by Erica Carbajal; 10/10/24 Union nurses at Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C., have approved a new labor contract with Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare, which owns the hospital. National Nurses United, which represents more than 1,600 Mission Hospital nurses, shared news of the new agreement in an Oct. 9 news release. The three-year agreement includes up to 29% wage increases for some nurses, a pilot program to ensure nurses can take meal and rest breaks during their shifts, new measures to ensure nurses are floated to units similar to their usual specialty, and the ability to use preferred names and personal pronouns on name badges. "Mission Hospital is so important to Asheville and all of western North Carolina," Hannah Drummond, RN, a nurse in the hospital's catheterization lab recovery unit, said in the union's news release. "This contract is another step forward to making Mission the hospital it needs to be for our patients. Nurses are the backbone of Mission Hospital, and this contract adds steel to our spine." 

Hospice care home provides peaceful place for low-income or homeless to die Indiana Capital Chronicle; by Elise Shrock; 10/10/24 My neighborhood is full of wonderful places. Lovely places where people go to worship, to meet for meals, to do their errands, and, a lovely place to die. Let me explain. Tucked behind the busy near-north Keystone corridor is the Abbie Hunt Bryce Home, a no-cost home for terminally ill individuals who are low-income or homeless and would have no other home to go to during their last days or months of life. Operated by Morning Light, LLC, Abbie Hunt Bryce Home offers critical and compassionate services to Hoosiers in their final days. As the second largest residential hospice in the nation, our state is positioned to be a leader in providing compassionate end-of-life care. Not only is the Home a leader in size and scope, but all hospice residents stay free of charge, with no payment or insurance required. The Home is supported solely by community support and qualifies for Medicaid Waiver. ... [A case study follows with "Systemic challenges in Indiana." ...]

Maryland hospitals face IV shortage as hurricanes hit suppliers The Baltimore Banner; by Sapna Bansil; 10/10/24 Hospitals across Maryland are scrambling to conserve IV fluids after damage from Hurricane Helene last month halted production at the country’s leading manufacturer and triggered a national shortage — which could worsen as Hurricane Milton drenches Florida this week. Baxter International shut down its plant in Marion, N.C., about 35 miles east of Asheville, after it experienced severe flooding and a nearby bridge collapsed. The facility produced 1.5 million bags a day and accounted for 60% of the nation’s supply of IV fluids, according to the American Hospital Association. Another key manufacturing plant, for B. Braun Medical in Daytona Beach, Florida, is in the path of Hurricane Milton. The company said that it planned to temporarily close the facility and that it had relocated its inventory farther north. In a statement posted to its website Wednesday, Baxter said that as it has ramped up production at its global facilities, most customers are now able to receive the majority of what they typically order. There is no timeline on when production will resume in North Carolina.

AMA Journal of Ethics: Educational resources in response to medical supplies lost to hurricaneEmail from AMA Journal of Ethics; 10/10/24Storm damage from hurricane Helene has forced a factory that makes medical supplies to shut down. The AMA Journal of Ethics offers the following educational resources:

Immediately after hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, I was extremely concerned about my family, friends and all the people in Puerto Rico. I felt helpless and could not concentrate not knowing if my family and loved ones were safe. I wanted to help my people as fast as I could. ~ Yadier Molina Editor's note: As we wake to breaking news this morning about Hurricane Milton, we send care for all who are there, the many who have evacuated, and the millions who have family and friends in affected areas. Hurricane Helene victims: we have not forgotten you. 

Hospice of Central PA President Gil Brown to retire Abel Personnel; by Rochelle Shenk; 10/9/24 After more than a decade of service at Hospice of Central PA, president Gil Brown will retire Dec. 31. According to a news release, Brown has been a driving force behind the organization’s growth, steering it through significant achievements and fostering strong relationships with health care partners and the community. Since joining Hospice of Central PA in 2014, Brown has led the organization through numerous milestones, including earning Joint Commission accreditation and securing a 5-star status in the We Honor Veterans program offered by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. ... “Working with Gil has been a truly inspiring experience,” said Hank Straub, HCP Board Member. “His unwavering commitment to compassionate care and his visionary leadership have not only shaped Hospice of Central PA, but also set a high standard for excellence. Gil’s ability to lead with both heart and strategic focus has made a lasting impact, and it has been an honor to collaborate with him in serving our community.” 

Concurrent/simultaneous services from Hospice and a Home and Community Based Services waiver Media.Alabama.gov; State of Alabama Press Release - Medicaid; 10/8/24 The Alabama Medicaid Agency (Medicaid) updated the policy to allow concurrent services from hospice and a Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver. However, it is vital that the hospice and HCBS waiver case manager coordinate to avoid duplication of services. The HCBS waiver person-centered care plan (PCCP) and hospice plan of care (POC) of the recipient should be coordinated between the hospice, HCBS waiver case manager, and the recipient and his/her caregiver. A conference that includes these parties must be held before concurrent services can start.  The PCCP/POC conference shall be documented in both the recipient’s hospice and waiver record. The PCCP/POC should specify all concurrent services, the frequency of services, and which entity will provide the service. Each HCBS Waiver service included in the PCCP/POC should have an explanation as to why the service is not covered under hospice. [Click on the title's link for more information.] 

Is end-of-life care consistent with wishes of patients with dementia? Oklahoma University News, Oklahoma City, OK; by April Wilkerson; 10/8/24 Soon after a dementia diagnosis, many people document their preferences for medical care near the end of their lives, often stipulating that they want to avoid hospitalizations and aggressive interventions. A new University of Oklahoma study aims to discover whether the actual care they receive aligns with their preferences. Lee Jennings, M.D., a geriatrician and associate professor in the OU College of Medicine, recently received a $2.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to analyze the end-of-life experiences of about 550 people with dementia, as well as their caregivers. The findings will advance medical knowledge of how best to care for people with an incurable disease that often robs them of their cognition, causes swallowing disorders, and leads to immobility and falls. An estimated 5 million Americans are affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, a number that is expected to increase to 10.5 million over the next 25 years. 

A guide to creating a comforting hospice facility Cerebral Overload; by Kelly; 10/8/24 Hospice care is for patients nearing the end of their lives and wanting to do so in a comfortable, safe environment. This comfort is incredibly important, as it is integral to supporting patients’ physical and emotional needs during this time of uncertainty. If you are designing a hospice facility, here is a guide to creating a comforting space. The features we discuss will enhance the quality of care and ease the emotional journey of patients and their loved ones.

Indianapolis Moms: How furry friends can help with grief and depression WISHTV.com, Indianapolis, IN: by Ashley Fowler; 10/9/24 Our four-legged friends can bring us laughter, joy, and love. But one Indianapolis woman says they can also help us heal. Roleen Demmings has written about her challenges with depression and grief after the death of her mother. ... “My mom was in hospice. She had cancer. My sister and I were her caretakers, and throughout that time, we noticed that we were gaining weight,” Demmings said. “We didn’t want to get out of bed; we had to force ourselves to and we realized the depression setting in even before she died.” She says she knew she needed to exercise more, eat better, and go to therapy, but then she found a non-traditional way of coping: a handsome Newfoundland/Poodle mix named Remy. “Those days where I didn’t want to get out of bed, I knew I had to walk him ...  He doesn’t understand depression, but, y’know, he’s really helped me with mine,” Demmings said. “While we were going through our sadness, he really was a light for us. I call him our lifeboat in the sea of depression.”