Literature Review

Integrative oncology for patients with lung cancer: A prospective pragmatic controlled trial Lung Cancer; by Eran Ben-Arye, Orit Gressel, Shahar Lifshitz, Nir Peled, Shoshana Keren, Noah Samuels; 6/25/24 Complementary medicine and integrative oncology modalities (IOM) have been included in the clinical practice guidelines of the American College of Chest Physicians in the treatments of patients with lung cancer. The present study examined the impact of a patient-tailored IOM treatment program on quality of life (QoL)-related concerns among patients with non-small and small lung cancer undergoing active oncology treatment. ... High adherence to a 6-week IOM program within supportive/palliative care for patients with lung cancer was found to alleviate pain and emotional concerns, improving overall QoL. Further research is needed to confirm the findings in real-life IOM practice for patients with lung cancer.

Acquiring a dog is your only chance to choose a relative. ~Unknown

Other Business Headlines of Interest, updated 7/11/24 per nasdaq.com

Senior living providers embrace role in CMS dementia care pilot program McKnights Senior Living; by Kimberly Bonvissuto; 7/11/24 Senior living providers named participants in the federal government’s new dementia care pilot program said they are excited to be part of a new effort to support people living with dementia and their family caregivers. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, CMMI, announced the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience, or GUIDE, model last summer. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services launched the eight-year GUIDE model on July 1 and published the program participant list on Monday [7/8]. Eligible model participants are Medicare Part B-enrolled providers eligible to bill for Medicare services and that provide, or will provide, ongoing care to people living with dementia. Eligible organizations include accountable care organizations, home health and hospice agencies, Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, and physician practices. Additional long-term care providers and other healthcare providers, however, can participate as partner organizations by contract with another Medicare provider/supplier to meet the program care delivery requirements. Assisted living residents who are Medicare beneficiaries may be part of the model. Editor's Note: Adding to our previously published posts about the new CMS GUIDE Program (7/10/24 and 7/11/24) and its use by hospice organizations, this article describes its use by senior living care providers. 

[Global Partners in Care] 25 Years of Compassion and Impact eHospice; 7/9/24 In 2024, Global Partners in Care (GPIC) celebrates its 25th anniversary. Over the past 25 years, GPIC has been dedicated to enhancing access to compassionate care for individuals and families across the globe who face serious illness, death and grief. This silver anniversary is a significant milestone in the history of the organization. Not only does it provide an occasion to reflect on the impact the organization has made, but it also provides an opportunity to consider numerous future possibilities. 

Stigmas about palliative care are harming our seriously ill patients

A journey shared: Navigating cancer as a caretaker, nurse, and patient Oncology Nursing News; by Charlotte Goor, BSN, RN, OCN; 7/9/24 An oncology nurse's experience with mother's cancer and her own BRCA2 diagnosis shapes her approach to patient care. “She had a tumor the size of a cantaloupe,” the surgeon said. I felt like the world had caved in on me and I was suffocating in its core. I was 22 years old when my mother developed a mysterious “bulge” in her lower abdomen—stage 4 ovarian cancer, as it turned out. As a bonus, we learned that both she and I carried the BRCA2 gene mutation, which meant that I was at an increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer as well." The ensuing journey from caregiver to nurse to patient has profoundly shaped my nursing practice by providing unique insights and deepening my empathy. ...

Adena Health announces new joint venture to advance home health and hospice services Chillicothe Gazette - USA Today Network; 7/10/24 Adena Health has announced a new joint venture partnership with national home health leader Alternate Solutions Health Network (ASHN). The new home health and hospice collaboration will be jointly owned by Adena Health and ASHN, and operate as Adena Home Health and Hospice effective this August. Headquartered in Kettering, ASHN partners with more than 90 multi-facility home healthcare and hospice healthcare systems across five states through joint ventures that include area partnerships with The Christ Hospital Health Network, Genesis Healthcare System, Kettering Health, and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. The Adena team will join forces with ASHN’s group of leading physicians and healthcare professionals to expand the suite of home health and hospice services while enhancing patient experience and nurturing clinical talent.

'Bridal bouquet turned retirement home decor': Virginia friends find ways to repurpose special event flowers WFMZ-TV 69 News, Allentown, PA; by Karin Mallet; 7/10/24 Flowers are just as nice the second time around ... where people are making sure your beautiful blooms don't end up in the trash once your event is over. It just takes a little bit of creativity. Laura Ruth and Rebecca Shelly ... were both navigating motherhood, COVID lockdowns and the loss of their fathers. Creating green spaces gave them both some much needed solace. They realized if flowers had that kind of power for them, they would likely have that kind of power for others so they created "Friendly City Florals." With their team of volunteers, they repurpose flowers from weddings, birthday parties, special events. ...  They spruce them up a bit and then bring them to schools, retirement and nursing homes, hospice and social service centers. It's a great second life for these flowers. The green bridal guide estimates the average wedding produces a staggering 400 pounds of trash.Editor's Note: An adaptation of this--used by several hospices--is to partner with a local florist for them to donate leftover/not-used flowers to the hospice for their inpatient units. A volunteer picks them up and arranges them for hospice rooms. Upon the death, family members are encouraged to take the flowers home with them.

Caregiver charged with abusing dementia patient The Freeman, Waukesha County, WI; by Freeman Staff; 7/9/24 A West Allis woman has been charged after she allegedly struck a dementia patient in her care and put a pillow over the woman’s face out of frustration. Erica Junger, 22, was charged Monday in Waukesha County Circuit Court with a count of intentionally abusing a patient, and faces up to six years in prison if convicted. She made an initial appearance in court Monday, where she was released on a $2,500 signature bond and ordered by Court Commissioner David Herring not to work in any job where she is responsible for the health care and safety of others. ... She said she "snapped" and did things she wasn’t supposed to do, but didn’t mean anything by it. ... The complaint did not identify the facility where the incident took place. But it did identify Junger as an employee of Agrace Hospice, which contracts with the facility.

10 recent healthcare industry lawsuits, settlements Becker's Hospital Review; by Andrew Cass; 7/8/24... Here are 10 healthcare industry lawsuits, settlements and legal developments Becker's reported since June 26:

Health systems oppose new cybersecurity rules Becker's Health IT; by Giles Bruce; 7/8/24 Health systems and industry trade groups are objecting to new cybersecurity reporting requirements proposed by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. The recommended rule under the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act of 2022 would, among other things, require covered entities to report cyberattacks within 72 hours and ransom payments within 24 hours. The proposal, which is estimated to cost the industry $1.4 billion, would exempt small and critical access hospitals.

Provider of in-home imaging services and 24/7 radiologist access raises $200M Radiology Business; by Marty Stempniak; 7/9/24 HarmonyCares, a provider of in-home X-ray services that spans 15 states, has raised $200 million in new capital, leaders announced Monday. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, the company is focused on physician-led care for vulnerable patients who cannot travel to a traditional healthcare facility. HarmonyCare Diagnostics brings the latest digital X-ray technology to patients’ homes or long-term care facilities, offering rapid results with board certified radiologists “available 24/7.”