Literature Review

Over a hundred motorcyclists parade through Twin Falls to honor local hospice patient KMVT-11, Twin Falls, ID; by Cole Quinn; 7/22/24 The roar of over one hundred motorbikes swept through Twin Falls on Sunday afternoon. Motorcyclists from as far away as Boise and Pocatello joined in for a parade, all dedicated to one man. Thomas Willie is a 74-year-old hospice patient with Harrison’s Hope Hospice Family in Twin Falls, a non-profit with a wish program for their patients. ... “It was one hundred percent texting, I think there was some social media, it was one hundred percent a who-you-know sort of thing,” said Devin Bernal, Director of Clinical Services. “Our team in Meridian and our team here in Twin Falls they just got busy and started reaching out to people.”

A 'TsunamAI' of change is coming to healthcareForbes; by Lee Shapiro; 7/24/24 In the last 50 years, there have been significant developments that have forever improved the delivery of healthcare. Consider imaging (MRI/CT scans), minimally invasive surgery, anti-viral therapies, precision medicine (e.g., CRISPR and gene editing) and near or complete eradication of diseases like polio and smallpox. As we look back 50 years from now, we will have experienced seismic changes from AI. When I've spoken with healthcare leaders, they've pointed to a progression of AI adoption that will occur in the following three categories, which you should consider for your organization: administrative, research and development, and care delivery.  

Education curricula need to incorporate whole-person care beyond electives Pharmacy Times; by Ashely Gallaher; 7/21/24“[Whole-person care is] simply caring for a person and not just their pills. It's making sure that we're focusing on medications as tools to help people live better, healthier lives, and not as the focus of their lives,” Kashelle Lockman, PharmD, MA, clinical assistant professor and clinical pharmacy specialist at the University of Iowa. ... 3 Key Takeaways:

Readers write: Why RCM is the most interesting opportunity in healthcare HIStalk - Healthcare IT News & Opinion; by Kim Waters, MBA; 7/22/24 Revenue cycle management (RCM) isn’t for everybody, but it certainly is for me. ... In a 2023 study, HFMA reported on the rising cost of claims, with as much as 60% of claims not resubmitted and the average denial rate’s total percentage of gross revenue at 11%. What’s more is that they found that the cost per claim appealed is $118 and the denial rate is increasing 20% year over year. In an era when budgets are tight and margins are lower, organizations need to improve on these numbers to survive and eventually thrive. Opportunities for improvement can be easy to see. Reconsider any processes or solutions that:

Why home health providers should expect to see a ‘less draconian’ final payment rule Home Health Care News; by Joyce Famakinwa; 7/22/24 As home health providers continue to digest the proposed payment rule for 2025, National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) President William A. Dombi believes that the industry will ultimately see a comparatively toned down final rule. “We believe we will not end up with this proposed rule as a final rule,” he said during the opening presentation at NAHC’s Financial Management Conference in Las Vegas on Sunday. “We will end up with something less draconian. The cuts will be reduced because, No. 1, that’s what they’ve done for the last several years, and, No. 2, it’s an election year.” Even with a prediction of a “less draconian” final payment rule, NAHC is still gearing up to fight against home health cuts and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) payment-setting methodologies.

New hospice care centre breaks ground Bernews, Bermuda; 7/22/24 The future of hospice care in Bermuda has taken a leap forward with the groundbreaking on the site of the new Woodland Grove Care Centre on Spice Hill Road, Warwick. A spokesperson said, “Community partners and board members of Friends of Hospice were present to mark the symbolic first shovel-strike of the multi-year construction of Bermuda’s first purpose-built hospice and eldercare care facility. The Care Centre will significantly increase and improve on the care options available on island. ... The building will have an aesthetic character heavily inspired by traditional Bermudian residential character, massing, and vernacular. The provision of functional gardens and landscaped outdoor areas, around the building, contribute to the home environment and will offer tranquil and calming spaces.

AMOREM names new Chief Executive Officer WKSK 93.5 West Jefferson, NC; 7/23/24 On Monday evening, the AMOREM Board of Directors named April Moore as the organization’s new chief executive officer. Moore began her career in hospice in 2004 ... with Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, which integrated with Burke Hospice and Palliative Care in 2021 to form AMOREM. ... Since the integration, she oversaw the building project for AMOREM’s palliative care center in Boone. She currently leads the building project for AMOREM’s patient care unit in Boone, set to open in early 2025. ... “The Board of Directors is thrilled to announce the hiring of April Moore as CEO of AMOREM,” AMOREM Board of Directors Chairman Jordan Greene ... “April has shown 20 years of leadership, dedication and love for our organization. Her commitment to the mission, vision and values of AMOREM is second to none. April is the definition of the hospice heart."

Rady Children's Hospital nurses strike begins after union turns down deal ABC News 10 San Diego, CA; by Perla Shaheen, Dani Miskell; 7/23/24 The Rady Children's Hospital nurses started hitting the picket line Monday morning. The union representing the nurses recently turned down the hospital's offer of a 25% pay bump over the next three years. The executive director for UNOCH Teamsters Local 1699 says this is the first time they've ever gone on strike. On Sunday, both sides thought they had a deal and would avoid the strike, but late last night, union members voted the agreement down.

UVM Medical Center reaches new contract for nursing employees, 23% wage hike VB Vermont Biz; by The University of Vermont Medical Center; 7/22/24 Nurses employed by University of Vermont Medical Center who are part of the Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals (VFNHP) voted to ratify a new three-year contract for nursing staff this past weekend. The contract includes a 23% wage increase for nurses over the next three years.

NAHC President Bill Dombi: Hospices in for a ‘bumpy ride to new era’ Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 7/23/24 The Medicare Hospice Benefit is ripe for change nearly four decades after its establishment, but moving the needle will include a heavy lift around evolving regulations. This is according to Bill Dombi, president of the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC). The hospice industry is undergoing tremendous changes amid rising demand and increased regulatory oversight, Dombi said at NAHC’s Financial Management Conference in Las Vegas. ..."[Hospice] hospice has moved into a new era. It’s a very mature benefit at this point and all signs are that people in Congress and at [the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)] think it’s overdue for some reform. Hospice is facing potential massive reform.” Among the signs of major reform on the horizon is an intensified survey and auditing climate in recent years, Dombi stated. 

Celebrating the life and legacy of Marion KeenanCoastal Hospice press release; 7/23/24Salisbury, MD – Coastal Hospice announced today with profound sadness the passing of its inaugural President, Marion Keenan and extend heartfelt condolences to her family and friends. “On behalf of Coastal Hospice, I would like to express our sadness in the passing of our founder and former President, Marion Keenan. Marion was part of a committee of innovators that brought hospice care to our community over 44 years ago,” said Ann Lovely, Interim President and CEO of Coastal Hospice. “Her leadership and spirit of service made a profound impact in our organization and those we cared for during her tenure. Marion will forever be missed as we continue to carry on her vision.” Marion's obituary is posted here.

I am building a fire, and every day I train, I add more fuel. At just the right moment, I light the match. Mia Hamm, American soccer player and two-time gold medalist

Hospital CEOs solve an old problem with new ideas Becker's Hospital Review; by Laura Dyrda; 7/15/24 A persistent problem for health system CEOs is emerging as the most important challenge to solve this year: work/life balance. Work/life balance isn't just a "nice to have" as a "thank you" to clinicians who spent thousands of extra hours during the pandemic in a stressful workplace; it's a business imperative. And many organizations haven't invested in it enough. [Click on the title's link to continue reading identification of problems and new solutions by multiple helath system CEOs.]