Literature Review
Medical marijuana may be sold in pharmacies, but it is not a medicine
05/02/24 at 03:00 AMMedical marijuana may be sold in pharmacies, but it is not a medicine Psychiatric Times; by Yi-Lang Tang, MD, PhD and Elizabeth McCord, MD; 4/29/24Commentary: Georgia will soon be the first state in the nation to allow independent pharmacies to sell medical marijuana products, with more than 100 pharmacies already applying to participate. This raises serious health concerns. The public should be aware that medical marijuana is not a medicine and that it differs from US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications in several key ways. ... Editor's Note: This article contains a list of what is approved (or not) in each state (with Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico); a brief history of medical marijuana; and differences between medical marijuana and FDA-approved medications.
DEA tells court that Right to Try law doesn’t supersede CSA in psilocybin case
05/02/24 at 03:00 AMDEA tells court that Right to Try law doesn’t supersede CSA in psilocybin case PsychedelicNewsWire; 4/30/24The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is claiming that a federal law that affords severely ill individuals the right to try investigational medications doesn’t apply to drugs classified under the Controlled Substances Act. This is in response to a lawsuit filed by a doctor in Washington state who sought permission to legally administer psilocybin as treatment for patients in end-of-life care with cancer. The agency argues that because drugs classified under Schedule I are said to have no accepted medical use, the law prevents them from being dispensed, even by professionals.
Why health systems should embrace advanced in-home care models
05/02/24 at 03:00 AMWhy health systems should embrace advanced in-home care models McKnights Home Care; by Marcy Carty, MD, MPH; 4/25/24Over the next two decades, the adult demographic over 50 years of age will increase by 25 million, and with over 75% expressing a strong desire to age in place, it’s imperative to champion care models that support safe, high-quality care within the home. Despite proactive care models to support aging in the home, acute needs still arise. Health systems stand to gain manifold by embracing the paradigm shift to care in the home. By moving more advanced care delivery into peoples’ homes, systems can effectively curb acute healthcare utilization, decreasing hospital-acquired conditions and drastically improving patient and family experience.
Deciphera Pharmaceuticals to be acquired by Ono Pharmaceutical for $2.4 billion
05/02/24 at 03:00 AMDeciphera Pharmaceuticals to be acquired by Ono Pharmaceutical for $2.4 billion LevinPro HC; 4/30/24Deciphera Pharmaceuticals announced on April 29 that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. to be acquired for a total equity value of $2.4 billion. Upon completion, Deciphera will operate as a standalone business of Ono, from its headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts.
Hospice care scam has FBI issuing warning after 'huge increase in complaints'
05/02/24 at 03:00 AMHospice care scam has FBI issuing warning after 'huge increase in complaints'ABC TV 13, Houston, TX; by Samica Knight; 4/29/24The Federal Bureau of Investigations is warning about a scam in which crooks sign people up for hospice care without their knowledge. The FBI has received numerous reports from victims in the Houston area about this costly scam. "It's a little bit more egregious and distasteful than some of the other Medicare frauds we typically deal with," FBI Supervisory Special Agent Shannon Brady said. "We've had a huge increase in complaints." Fraudsters are actually signing mostly elderly victims up for end-of-life hospice care when they don't need it and without the victim even knowing about it.
Generative AI: A roadmap for healthcare leaders
05/02/24 at 03:00 AMGenerative AI: A roadmap for healthcare leaders Curate; 4/30/24 ... As the capabilities of generative AI continue to expand, healthcare leaders are tasked with harnessing its potential while navigating the ethical, regulatory, and operational challenges it brings. This article offers a comprehensive roadmap for healthcare C-suite and senior leaders to incrementally adopt generative AI, emphasizing the strategic approach and expertise provided by Curate in healthcare consulting and technology modernization.
The cost of dying is going up, leaving some Florida families scrambling
05/02/24 at 03:00 AMThe cost of dying is going up, leaving some Florida families scrambling Tampa Bay Times; by Lauren Peace; 5/1/24 Christina Nall sat in the hospital parking lot gasping for air. Four hours earlier, her father, Bill Burke, had been alive. He’d eaten Golden Grahams for breakfast and wrapped his grandkids in tight hugs before school. He was putting on his shoes to leave the house when Nall, 33, found him slouched over on the couch. Doctors said it was a blood clot. He was 56 years old. Now, outside the Zephyrhills hospital, a fog of grief hung over Nall as the funeral director’s words cut into her. To get her dad back to his home in Missouri would cost upward of $2,000. The service and burial he wanted would cost another $6,000.
Elara Caring agrees to pay $4.2 million to settle False Claims Act allegations that it billed Medicare for ineligible hospice patients
05/02/24 at 02:00 AMElara Caring agrees to pay $4.2 million to settle False Claims Act allegations that it billed Medicare for ineligible hospice patients Office of Public Affairs, U.S. Department of Justice; Press Release; 5/1/24Elara Caring, and its wholly owned subsidiaries JHH/CIMA Holdings Inc., CIMA Healthcare Management Inc., CIMA Hospice of Texarkana L.L.C., CIMA Hospice of East Texas L.L.C. and CIMA Hospice of El Paso L.P., have agreed to pay $4.2 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by knowingly submitting false claims and knowingly retaining overpayments for the care of hospice patients in Texas who were ineligible for the Medicare hospice benefit because they were not terminally ill.
Postpandemic, telehealth preferred in outpatient palliative care setting
05/02/24 at 02:00 AMPostpandemic, telehealth preferred in outpatient palliative care setting Rheumatology Advisor; by Lisa Kuhns, PhD; 5/1/24 Even after the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine against COVID-19 became available, patients preferred outpatient palliative care visits via video rather than in person, according to study results published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. ... The researchers ... added, “Although telehealth may be preferable for reasons beyond social distancing, this survey found that COVID-19 transmission was still a [postpandemic] concern for some patients, where telehealth can be advantageous. These concerns reflect [an] ongoing sentiment [that] patients with advanced cancer, who are often immune-compromised, have with regards to the pandemic even after widespread vaccine availability and end of COVID-19 restrictions.
Judi Lund Person: Unleashed
05/02/24 at 02:00 AMJudi Lund Person: UnleashedTCN Talks; by Chris Comeaux; 4/18/24Judi Lund Person, former vice president of regulatory and compliance at NHPCO, shares her journey into the hospice industry and her passion for ensuring patients and families receive the care they need and want. Judi emphasizes the importance of addressing bad hospice care and uncovering fraud and abuse in the industry. She discusses the proposed changes in the 2025 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Conditions; ... the HOPE tool and the revised hospice survey; ... the sunset of the VBID demonstration; and the need to focus on accountable care organizations and quality reporting. This is a great listen for staff, leaders, and boards of hospice and palliative care organizations. Here’s a great quote from the discussion: “You never know when something you do or somebody you talk to changes the course of your life."
Walmart Health is closing
05/02/24 at 02:00 AMWalmart Health is closingWalmart; 4/30/24Back in 2019, we launched Walmart Health centers. During our five-year journey, we made meaningful impacts with patients while continuing to learn, pivot and evolve. While our mission to help people save money and live better remains, today we are sharing the difficult decision to close Walmart Health and Walmart Health Virtual Care. Through our experience managing Walmart Health centers and Walmart Health Virtual Care, we determined there is not a sustainable business model for us to continue.
WHIAANHPI and SmithsonianAPA unveil joint theme for 2024 Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: ‘Bridging Histories, Shaping Our Future’
05/01/24 at 03:00 AMWHIAANHPI and SmithsonianAPA unveil joint theme for 2024 Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: ‘Bridging Histories, Shaping Our Future’ U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; by HHS Press Office; 4/24/24Today, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) and the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center are proud to present our joint 2024 theme for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) Heritage Month: “Bridging Histories, Shaping Our Future.” The 2024 theme is an homage to our ancestors and invites all Americans to delve into the legacies, triumphs, and challenges that have shaped AA and NHPI communities. It embodies the spirit of our collective journey – one rooted in resilience and hope – and encourages us to forge intergenerational connections to honor our past and pave a durable path forward.
Minnesota’s new labor board votes for nearly $23.50 an hour minimum wage for nursing home workers
05/01/24 at 03:00 AMMinnesota’s new labor board votes for nearly $23.50 an hour minimum wage for nursing home workers Minnesota Reformer; by Max Nesterak; 4/29/24 'Today has been a long time coming,’ said nursing home worker Nessa Higgins at a news conference after Minnesota’s first labor standards board voted on April 29, 2024, to raise the minimum wage for nursing home workers to $20.50 per hour by 2027. Minnesota’s new workforce standards board took its first significant vote on Monday, agreeing to raise the pay floor to $23.49 per hour on average in 2027 for nursing home workers, while guaranteeing 11 paid holidays. The worker and government representatives on the board approved the minimum wages without the support of the board’s nursing home industry representatives, who abstained.
Millions of American kids are caregivers now: ‘The hardest part is that I’m only 17’
05/01/24 at 03:00 AMMillions of American kids are caregivers Now: ‘The hardest part is that I’m only 17’The Wall Street Journal; by Clare Ansberry; 4/27/24An estimated 5.4 million children help care for relatives, as families can't afford or find other in-home care. ... Leo Remis gos to high school, plays videogames, and helps take care of his disabled mom. ... More than 70% of young caregivers are caring for a parent or grandparent, according to a caregiving report. Many miss school, feel more isolated and worry about the future. Juggling homework with cooking and giving injections can be overwhelming and lead to anxiety.Editor's Note: Access to this article might require a subscription. Click here for alternate access.
Penn State Hershey Medical Center nurses ratify new contract
05/01/24 at 03:00 AMPenn State Hershey Medical Center nurses ratify new contractNBC WGAL TV 8; by Lori Has More; 4/27/24 More than 2,000 registered nurses working at Penn State Hershey Medical Center have ratified a new three-year contract. The union says their new deal will increase pay rates by an average of 22.5%, include more time off and new initiatives to address staffing needs. Editor's Note: These changes reflect national trends for recent healthcare strikes and high turnover rates: pay rates, work-life balance, and staffing. Additionally, we're seeing demands for improved workplace safety as a common theme for healthcare professionals.
Art exhibition held to honor hospice patient
05/01/24 at 03:00 AMArt exhibition held to honor hospice patientKTVN 2 News, Nevada; by Jake Reno; 4/28/24 Robert Henry, who has always dreamed of showcasing his artwork, was very overwhelmed and happy to see all of the people who came to see his work. Compassion Care Hospice and the Nevada Fine Arts held an art exhibition to honor Robert Henry, a hospice patient ... After members of the hospice care team found out more about Henry's story and how much art meant to him, they were inspired to figure out a way to honor him and his life's passion.
AMA responds to UnitedHealth confirmation of stolen data from Change Healthcare
05/01/24 at 03:00 AMAMA responds to UnitedHealth confirmation of stolen data from Change HealthcareAmerican Medical Association; 4/24/24The American Medical Association (AMA) is deeply concerned about the April 22 announcement from UnitedHealth Group (UHG) indicating vast amounts of sensitive medical data might have been stolen from Change Healthcare’s system and in the hands of malicious ransomware groups. “The AMA appreciates UHG’s statement outlining efforts to contain damage and provide support for people who are concerned about their personal data,” said AMA President Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, M.D., M.P.H. “The AMA urges UHG to quickly operationalize and fulfill its promises to help patients and physicians affected by the breach.”
Policymakers should support patients over profits in Louisiana
05/01/24 at 03:00 AMPolicymakers should support patients over profits in Louisiana Louisiana Illuminator; by Kathy Oubre; 4/29/24... The need for more affordable access to treatment and care is not only real for cancer patients, but also for all Louisianans, with U.S. News and World Report ranking Louisiana in the bottom five states for health care in the country. ... [LA] Senate Bill 347 would require pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and insurance companies to share the savings they receive from negotiated rebates and discounts directly with patients at the point-of-sale, lowering out-of-pocket costs. These rebates and discounts are significant, totaling over $230 billion in 2021 alone.
A hospice doctor on deathbed visions #shorts #tedx
05/01/24 at 03:00 AMA hospice doctor on deathbed visions #shorts #tedx Tedx Talks; by Dr. Christopher Kerr; 4/29/24"When it comes to end-of-life experiences, most of the reports were based on anecdotal reporting. In other words, nobody had asked patients directly or attempted to quantify or measure. So that's what we've done. What we found is that the vast majority, over 80%, reported at least one pre-death dream and vision, described as more real than real and distinct from normal dreaming.
Living our lives – and planning for the inevitable
05/01/24 at 03:00 AMLiving our lives – and planning for the inevitableForbes; by Naomi Cahn; 4/28/24 More than half of those with at least $100,000 in investable assets and who have retired – or are planning to do so – do not yet have an estate plan, according to an April 2024 Ameriprise report. ... Recent news about advance medical planning, retirement stability and estate planning show that few are prepared. Approximately two of every three adults do not have an advance directive, a plan in place for when they are incapacitated or need end-of-life decisionmaking.Editor's Note: Executive leaders, are your advance directives in place? If not, what conversations and decisions are you avoiding? Ask some seasoned clinicians what kinds of patient/family situations they have experienced when advance directives were not ready; and potential conflicts that were diverted because of previous decisions and documents.
6 top execs that have recently left Optum
05/01/24 at 03:00 AM6 top execs that have recently left Optum Becker's Payer Issues; by Jakob Emerson; 4/23/24In 2024, at least six top executives previously with UnitedHealth Group's Optum have announced their departures for new positions with companies across the country. [Click on the title's link for names positions.] Optum executive departures in 2023 are here.
The value of hospice-emergency department collaboration
05/01/24 at 03:00 AMThe value of hospice-emergency department collaboration Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 4/29/24 Fostering greater collaboration between hospices and hospice emergency departments can help reduce health care costs, generate revenue and improve patient outcomes. Reducing hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits are key goals for many health care stakeholders, particularly those that operate within a value-based environment. ... Nearly 40 million seniors visit the ED annually, according to the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation at the University of Michigan. For patients, however, the ED may not always be the best option, Rebeka Malloy, director of clinical engagement for Compassion and Choices, said at the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s (NHPCO) Virtual Interdisciplinary Conference. ...
America’s graying. We need to change the way we think about age.
05/01/24 at 03:00 AMAmerica’s graying. We need to change the way we think about age. The Harvard Gazette; by Alvin Powell; 4/25/24 Experts say instead of disability, focus needs to shift to ability, health, with greater participation, economically and socially. People in their 70s, 80s, and even 90s run marathons, write books, and go to work daily. But the predominant national conversation on aging focuses on disability rather than ability, something experts say is a problem as participation of America’s older adults grows more important, economically and socially, as the nation ages.
OSF launches new tools to help make end-of-life planning easier
05/01/24 at 03:00 AMOSF launches new tools to help make end-of-life planning easier News25, Peoria, IL; by Liz Lape; 4/26/24 OSF Healthcare reports that thousands of patients are dying in medical facilities without end-of-life care plans. ... Sarah Overton, Chief Officer of Nursing, describes that studies show that over 70% of patients would prefer a setting other than a hospital to spend their last moments, like at home hospice or palliative care. OSF has launched self-service resources such as an Advanced Careplanning page and Patient Questionnaire on their app MyChart. Overton says the goal is to make end-of-life care planning more available to the public.
Harmony House of Western Massachusetts unveils new home for terminally ill
05/01/24 at 03:00 AMHarmony House of Western Massachusetts unveils new home for terminally ill WWLP TV 22 News; by Kayleigh Thomas; posted 4/26/24, updated 4/27/24 [Chicopee, MA] After a long hiatus, the Harmony House of Western Massachusetts unveiled its new home for the terminally ill. It comes after the original home closed in 2019 before Covid-19 hit. Once the pandemic began, plans to renovate the new home were put on hold. Now, they’re completely renovated with a fully staffed team to offer companionship, meals, laundry services, and personal and spiritual care.