Literature Review
Workers set to strike at 4 Prime hospitals
12/14/23 at 03:37 AMWorkers set to strike at 4 Prime hospitalsBecker’s Hospital ReviewDecember 11, 2023Members of the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West are set to launch a five-day strike Dec. 20 affecting four Prime Healthcare facilities in Southern California. The union represents about 1,800 workers ... Union members, which include emergency room technicians, licensed vocational nurses, certified nursing assistants, radiology technicians, medical assistants, respiratory technicians, and others, voted to authorize a strike earlier this year.
Kaiser Permanente lays off 115 IT employees
12/14/23 at 03:36 AMKaiser Permanente lays off 115 IT employeesModern HealthcareDecember 12, 2023Kaiser Permanente has joined a growing list of health systems cutting back their IT teams. The Oakland, California-based health system confirmed it eliminated 115 workers from IT positions last month. Kaiser declined to specify how many IT employees were retained or provide detail about the roles and locations affected. Overall, Kaiser has about 220,000 employees.
WelbeHealth Opens First Bay Area PACE Center Serving Vulnerable Seniors in San Jose
12/14/23 at 03:35 AMWelbeHealth Opens First Bay Area PACE Center Serving Vulnerable Seniors in San JosePRNewswireDecember 12, 2023San Jose, CA—Today, the physician-led senior health services provider WelbeHealth, in partnership with Northern California-based health care system Sutter Health, announced the opening of a new Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) center in San Jose. The new center will provide essential health care and wrap-around services to diverse low-income older adults. ... Over 4,000 PACE eligible seniors reside within 15 miles of the San Jose location, and the population of these seniors is anticipated to increase.
Letters of Love—Nonprofit provides emotional support for children in hospitals
12/14/23 at 03:32 AMLetters of Love—Nonprofit provides emotional support for children in hospitalsWCCO-TV (Minneapolis, MN)December 11, 2023Orono, MN—It’s the time of year for giving and a Minnesotan is doing so on a scale so large, it can’t be measured. It’s a mission one woman started after her greatest gift was taken away. Grace Berbig grew up with so much love, but also a lot of pain. When she was 10, her mother was diagnosed with leukemia and eventually lost her battle with the disease. Editor's Note: Click the title to read more of this inspirational story.
Home Health Industry Leaders Scoff At ‘Distorted Picture of Reality’ Painted By MedPAC
12/14/23 at 03:32 AMHome Health Industry Leaders Scoff At ‘Distorted Picture of Reality’ Painted By MedPACHome Health Care NewsDecember 12, 2023The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission recommended that the Medicare base payment rate for home health care be reduced by 7% for CY 2025. The recommendation is another chapter in the contentious relationship between the commission and the home health industry. It also recommended that Congress eliminate any payment updates for hospice providers in 2025.
Moving through the holidays with grief—crafting a plan can help
12/14/23 at 03:29 AMMoving through the holidays with grief—crafting a plan can helpMorgan Messenger (Berkeley Springs, WV)December 12, 2023Christmas and winter holidays are portrayed as festive, bright and jolly times to celebrate and enjoy life. But the holidays can look and feel different for someone who has lost a loved one, is in the midst of major illness, or for someone who has suffered a traumatic event that’s brought significant change to their lives. Navigating the balance between celebration and grief is unique for everyone. Grief Counselor Deanna Rudy of Hospice of the Panhandle said acknowledging the change in life is an important step in making this holiday season manageable for families.
Palliative Care Yield Cost Savings Lymphoma Patients, But Racial Disparities Exist
12/14/23 at 03:26 AMPalliative Care Yield Cost Savings Lymphoma Patients, But Racial Disparities ExistPalliative Care NewsDecember 12, 2023Lymphoma patients who receive palliative care have fewer hospitalizations that those who do not, but racial and ethnic disparities persist. ... The study found that on average palliative care generated cost savings of $24,269 per patient. However, patients that identified as Black or Hispanic were much less likely to receive palliative care than white patients, reflecting widespread inequities in palliative care and the health care system at large, the research found.
Sunset Hospice Cottage faces staffing shortage, temporary closure
12/14/23 at 03:20 AMSunset Hospice Cottage faces staffing shortage, temporary closureThe Globe (Worthington, MN)December 12, 2023Worthington, MN—The Sunset Hospice Cottage has announced a temporary closure due to acute staffing shortages, an unfortunate side effect of the broader healthcare staffing crisis impacting rural America. Sunset Hospice Cottage has provided comfortable living for Worthington residents nearing the end of life since 2003, but now, due to an unprecedented shortage of healthcare workers, the cottage is forced to close its doors for the first time in 20 years.
The Vistria Group, Centerbridge Partners Reportedly Weighing Help at Home Sale
12/14/23 at 03:19 AMThe Vistria Group, Centerbridge Partners Reportedly Weighing Help at Home SaleHome Health Care NewsDecember 12, 2023The Vistria Group and Centerbridge Partners are “weighing options” around the future of Help at Home, including a potential sale. Bloomberg first reported the news late Tuesday, citing “people with knowledge of the matter.” Based in Chicago, Help at Home is one of the largest providers of home- and community-based services in the country. It has more than 180 branch locations across 11 states, and provides care to more than 66,000 people via its 53,000 caregivers.
VyncaCare CEO Schulte—Redesign Serious Illness Care for Patients’ Changing Needs
12/14/23 at 03:18 AMVyncaCare CEO Schulte—Redesign Serious Illness Care for Patients’ Changing NeedsHospice NewsDecember 12, 2023The needs of today’s seriously ill patients necessitates the development of new, longitudinal care models that integrate the patient-centered principles of hospice and palliative care, Dr. Darren Schulte, CEO of VyncaCare, told Hospice News. Vynca launched as an advance care planning technology platform and expanded into the palliative care provider space through its 2021 acquisition of California-based Resolution Care.
Center for Hospice Care a Giving Tree Partner for Wellfield Gardens’ Winter Wonderland Holiday Lights
12/14/23 at 03:16 AMCenter for Hospice Care a Giving Tree Partner for Wellfield Gardens’ Winter Wonderland Holiday LightsValpo Life (Valparaiso, IN)December 12, 2023Elkhart, IN—Wellfield Botanic Gardens’ Winter Wonderland Holiday Lights transports visitors to a magical setting with lights, sound and beauty, perfect for families to enjoy during the holiday season. Enjoy this special opportunity to see Wellfield after hours in a wintry paradise. Each year, local nonprofit organizations are chosen to have a “Giving Tree” at the Winter Wonderland and Center for Hospice Care is honored to be chosen again for 2023.
Compassus Looking For More AI Use Cases, Risk-Bearing Partners In Near-Term Future
12/14/23 at 03:15 AMCompassus Looking For More AI Use Cases, Risk-Bearing Partners In Near-Term FutureHome Health Care NewsDecember 12, 2023As artificial intelligence becomes more applicable in health care, home-based care providers are finally diving into use cases that may work for them. The Brentwood, Tennessee-based Compassus is a prime example of that. A forward-thinking provider, it has been utilizing RPM and telehealth for years, even prior to COVID-19. Now, it’s looking at ways it can fit AI into its operations.
University of Kansas deal with Missouri hospital feels ‘terribly wrong’ to lawmakers
12/14/23 at 03:13 AMUniversity of Kansas deal with Missouri hospital feels ‘terribly wrong’ to lawmakersMissouri IndependentDecember 11, 2023The proposed takeover of Liberty Hospital in Missouri by the University of Kansas Health System is being greeted with scorn by lawmakers from both sides of the state line and both political parties. Leading the charge against the takeover in Missouri is Kansas City Democratic state Sen. Greg Razer, who said the idea of KU owning a hospital in suburban Missouri is “terribly wrong.” “There are boundaries for a reason, and they’ve crossed one,” said Razer, a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia.
A Wish Come True—8-year-old in hospice goal surpassed by 10,000 cards and gifts
12/14/23 at 03:13 AMA Wish Come True—8-year-old in hospice goal surpassed by 10,000 cards and giftsWEWS-TV (Cleveland, OH)December 12, 2023Conesville, OH—Last week, we talked about a little boy in hospice who wished for 2,000 birthday and Christmas cards; after that, so many of you reached out, wanting to know an update! ... They got more than 13,000 cards and gifts from across the nation. On Tuesday, UPS picked up the packages and cards from the Community Hospice center and hand-delivered them to Andrew’s home where he was overwhelmed and in shock at how much there was. The boxes filled their kitchen, barely leaving standing room, but more importantly, they brought Andrew the holiday joy he needed.
Bucket list art show being held for hospice patient in Tabor City
12/14/23 at 03:12 AMBucket list art show being held for hospice patient in Tabor CityWWAY-TV (Wilmington, NC)December 12, 2023Tabor City, NC—A very special art show is taking place next week in Columbus County. Lower Cape Fear LifeCare is helping one of its patients fulfill her bucket wish list of holding an art show. Susan Sapinsley worked as a graphic artist and journalist throughout her life and wants the opportunity to share her life’s work during a showing of her work.
UC San Diego Health Completes $200 Million Purchase of Alvarado Hospital
12/14/23 at 03:11 AMUC San Diego Health Completes $200 Million Purchase of Alvarado HospitalSan Diego Union-TribuneDecember 12, 2023UC San Diego Health Monday completed the purchase of Alvarado Hospital Medical Center from Prime Healthcare, adding the 302-bed medical facility to its network of clinics and hospitals. ... The university hospital system purchased Alvarado Hospital for $200 million.
Thrice-rebuffed suitor StoneBridge Healthcare is once again involved in a bid to buy Tower Health
12/14/23 at 03:09 AMThrice-rebuffed suitor StoneBridge Healthcare is once again involved in a bid to buy Tower HealthPhiladelphia Business JournalDecember 12, 2023Bucks County-based hospital turnaround firm StoneBridge Healthcare is taking yet another stab at Tower Health, this time potentially entering into a management contract with an affiliated nonprofit organization that is interested in acquiring the Berks County health system. The nonprofit, called WoodBridge Inc., was expected to send Tower Health a non-binding agreement in principle Tuesday morning under which it would purchase substantially all of Tower’s assets for $706 million.
2023’s Most Impactful Hospice Regulatory Moves
12/14/23 at 03:07 AM2023’s Most Impactful Hospice Regulatory MovesHospice NewsDecember 12, 2023Program integrity issues that have heated up in the hospice space during the past five years reached a boiling point in 2023. Hospice providers have seen an array of increased regulatory oversight in 2023. That momentum has been fueled by two main concerns among regulators—risks of patient safety and evidence of malfeasance in the space. Hospice News sat down with providers, advocacy groups, legal experts and other stakeholders to uncover the most significant hospice regulatory trends from this year and their anticipated impacts heading into 2024 and beyond. ...Editor's Note: Quoted in the article, Jason Wallace, partner in health care, Barnes & Thornburg LLP; Ben Marcantonio, COO and interim CEO, NHPCO; Carrie Uebel, senior vice president and chief ethics and compliance officer, Compassus
Long-term care deal volume down as 2024 approaches
12/14/23 at 03:07 AMLong-term care deal volume down as 2024 approachesMcKnight’s Senior LivingDecember 13, 2023As long-term care operators prepare for 2024, the volume of senior living and care deals is down, Paul Branin, vice president of business development at management and consulting firm Health Dimensions Group, said Tuesday. He was one of the experts who during a webinar shared predictions of trends that will shape aging services providers in the coming year.
Google top searches 2023
12/13/23 at 04:00 AMGoogle top searches 2023Editor Note: Top searches in news, people, passings, and more...
Aveanna Healthcare Appoints Matt Buckhalter as New CFO
12/13/23 at 03:59 AMAveanna Healthcare Appoints Matt Buckhalter as New CFOHospice NewsDecember 11, 2023Aveanna Healthcare Holdings Inc. has appointed Matt Buckhalter as its new CFO effective Jan 1. Buckhalter has served as CFO in an interim capacity since July 2023, when his predecessor, David Afshar, left the company. Afshar moved on to pursue “other opportunities,” and his departure was not a result of any disagreements with Aveanna management, policies or practices, the company indicated in a press release. ... Buckhalter joined Aveanna in 2016 ...
Kroger Health boosts investment in senior primary care
12/13/23 at 03:58 AMKroger Health boosts investment in senior primary careModern HealthcareDecember 11, 2023Kroger is testing a strategic shift for its in-store clinics and moving into primary care for seniors. This month, its Kroger Health unit transitioned eight of The Little Clinic sites in Atlanta to focus on seniors, in addition to their regular services. If the change proves successful, Kroger wants to expand it to other existing locations and potentially new markets, said Jim Kirby, Kroger Health’s chief commercial officer. “We want to make sure that we’ve got the model right, and that we’re seeing the outcomes from the patients that we expect,” he said. “We want them to have that relationship with us, [so] that we can go deep with them, and we can do the best job we can to quarterback their care.”
Best Buy to expand health offerings with new partner
12/13/23 at 03:55 AMBest Buy to expand health offerings with new partnerModern HealthcareDecember 11, 2023Best Buy plans to expand its healthcare offerings through a new partnership with Biobeat, a remote patient monitoring company. The partnership is the latest effort by the retailer’s Best Buy Health unit to bolster its at-home health strategy. Best Buy Health aims to provide the technology side of at-home care through its Current Health subsidiary, which Best Buy acquired in 2021 for $400 million. ... Terms of the partnership were not disclosed. ... Biobeat allows patients to remotely view several health metrics, including cuffless blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen saturation, stroke volume and cardiac output through wearable devices.
Brookdale sees 25 consecutive months of occupancy growth in November
12/13/23 at 03:46 AMBrookdale sees 25 consecutive months of occupancy growth in NovembeMcKnight’s Senior LivingDecember 11, 2023Brentwood, TN-based Brookdale Senior Living wrapped up November with its 25th consecutive month of year-over-year weighted average occupancy growth, the company reported Friday. The company said that November’s weighted average occupancy was an increase of 40 basis points year over year, to 78.4%. Month over month from October to November, weighted occupancy dipped slightly, from 78.6% to 78.4%. Brookdale noted, however, that third-quarter occupancy was 77.6%, compared with the second quarter, which saw 76.5% average weighted occupancy.
Hospices face ‘existential threat’ amid budget fears
12/13/23 at 03:46 AMHospices face ‘existential threat’ amid budget fearsBBCDecember 11, 2023Hospices in the north of England face an “existential threat” due to a “funding crisis”, according to a hospice leader. Paul Marriott, chair of Hospices North East and North Cumbria, said all of its members were running budget deficits. He warned hospices may have to make staffing cuts without more funding. ... Hospices receive most of their funding from charitable donations, but get some some from the NHS [National Health Service] too. The average adult hospice receives about a third of its income from the NHS, according to charity Hospice UK. Paul Marriott said all members of the Hospices North East and North Cumbria group were running budget deficits. ... He said: “I do think it is an existential threat. Every hospice is drawing on reserves currently and that’s not sustainable.” Hospices could close or make serious staffing cuts next financial year without more funding, he added.