Literature Review
Medi Home Health and Hospice comes to Culpeper
04/17/24 at 03:00 AMMedi Home Health and Hospice comes to CulpeperCulpeper Star-Exponent, by Richard Horner; 4/13/24Medi Home Health and Hospice held a grand opening celebration for its new Culpeper (VA) location on Tuesday. Sponsored by the Culpeper County Chamber of Commerce, Medi is an arm of Medical Services of America, which offers home health and hospice care. It had several locations throughout the mid-Atlantic region of the United States, including Virginia. According to Ashley McDonald, director of marketing for Medi, the business offers in-home care, including various forms of therapy and nursing care. Medi also offers hospice and palliative care.
'I'm dying, you're not': Those terminally ill ask more states to legalize physician-assisted death
04/17/24 at 03:00 AM'I'm dying, you're not': Those terminally ill ask more states to legalize physician-assisted death The Washington Post, by Jesse Bedayn, AP; 4/12/24 On a brisk day at a restaurant outside Chicago, Deb Robertson sat with her teenage grandson to talk about her death. She’ll probably miss his high school graduation. ... “Medical aid in dying is not me choosing to die,” she says she told her 17-year-old grandson. “I am going to die. But it is my way of having a little bit more control over what it looks like in the end.” ... At least 12 states currently have bills that would legalize physician-assisted death. ... Two states have gone in the opposite direction. ...
CMMI’s proposed TEAM Model offers another risk-based opportunity for home health providers
04/17/24 at 03:00 AMCMMI’s proposed TEAM Model offers another risk-based opportunity for home health providers Home Helath Care News, by Andrew Donlan; 4/15/24Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center announced a new proposed model that will undoubtedly affect home health providers, and also allow them the opportunity to get more involved in value-based care initiatives. The Transforming Episode Accountability Model (TEAM), which would eventually be mandatory if finalized, would have selected acute care hospitals put under full responsibility for the cost – and quality – of care from surgery up until the first 30 days after hospital discharge.
Health Talk: Getting into a health care career
04/17/24 at 03:00 AMHealth Talk: Getting into a health care career The Barre Montpelier Times Argus Online, by Peg Bolgioni; 4/13/24According to the American Hospital Association, there will be a shortage of up to 3.2 million health care workers by 2026. America will face a shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2033 and will need to hire at least 200,000 nurses per year to meet increased demand, and to replace retiring nurses. ... The mission of Southern Vermont Area Health Education Center is to enhance community efforts to grow and sustain the health workforce in southern Vermont. One of the ways we do this is by delivering pathway programs that connect students to health careers. [Click the title's link to read about this event.]Editor's Note: How might your organization create similar career engagement and education in your community?
Canyon Lake Hospice Care extends compassionate services to El Cajon community
04/17/24 at 03:00 AMCanyon Lake Hospice Care extends compassionate services to El Cajon community Iowanews Headlines; 4/12/24 Canyon Lake Hospice Care, known for its unwavering commitment to providing compassionate end-of-life support, is extending its services to the El Cajon community. This expansion heralds a significant milestone, not just for Canyon Lake Hospice Care, but also for the residents of El Cajon who seek specialized hospice care.
Today's Encouragement: Leadership is not ...
04/17/24 at 03:00 AMLeadership is not a license to do less. Leadership is a responsibility to do more. - Simon Sinek
Implementing spiritual care education into the teaching of palliative medicine: An outcome evaluation
04/17/24 at 02:00 AMImplementing spiritual care education into the teaching of palliative medicine: An outcome evaluation BMC Medical Education; by Yann-Nicolas Batzler, Nicola Stricker, Simone Bakus, Manuela Schallenburger, Jacqueline Schwartz, and Martin Neukirchen; 4/15/24 Objective: This is a novel, interprofessional approach in teaching undergraduate medical students about spiritual care in the format of a seminar. The aim of this study is to assess if an increase in knowledge about spiritual care in the clinical context is achievable with this format. ... Conclusions: We conclude that implementing spiritual care education following an interprofessional approach into existing medical curricula, e.g. palliative medicine, is feasible and well perceived among medical students. ...
Comment: Rule must change to allow dialysis as end-of-life care
04/16/24 at 03:00 AMComment: Rule must change to allow dialysis as end-of-life care HeraldNet, by Matthew Rivara and Mackenzie Daniek; 4/13/24More than 1 in 7 American adults live with chronic kidney disease, making it one of the most common chronic disease conditions in the United States. ... Medicare will generally not reimburse health care providers for dialysis treatments if a patient has elected to enter hospice care, as dialysis treatments are considered by Medicare to be “curative” rather than “palliative” care. Because of this, most patients getting dialysis for ESRD must forego all dialysis treatment after entering a hospice program.
Today's Encouragement: Birth and death ...
04/16/24 at 03:00 AMBirth and death are the most singular events we experience – and the contemplation of death, as of birth, should be a thing of beauty, not ignobility. – Jacob K. Javits
Tracking layoffs, closures in healthcare nationwide
04/16/24 at 03:00 AMTracking layoffs, closures in healthcare nationwideModern Healthcare; 4/12/24Modern Healthcare is tracking closures and layoffs from health systems, digital health companies, insurers and other related businesses nationwide to better understand how labor costs and concerns are impacting the industry in rural communities and cities alike.
Message-based telehealth an increasingly important part of seniors’ healthcare, study finds
04/16/24 at 03:00 AMMessage-based telehealth an increasingly important part of seniors’ healthcare, study findsMcKnights Senior Living, by Aaron Dorman; 4/11/24 Many healthcare experts, and even government agencies, are working to try to expand telehealth coverage for older adults. But much of that work considers telehealth in terms of video and/or phone conversations. E-mails and digital messaging across patient portals, however, also are part of seniors’ healthcare regimen, particularly those who are Medicare beneficiaries, finds a new study published in Health Affairs Scholar. As such, updated telehealth coverage decisions should factor in the time that older adults, their caregivers and clinicians need to exchange these messages, the researchers said.
Black nurses advance bias suit over patients’ racial preferences
04/16/24 at 03:00 AMBlack nurses advance bias suit over patients’ racial preferences Bloomberg Law, by Patrick Dorrian; 4/15/24 The US District Court for the Middle District of Florida rejected the argument of Good Shepherd Hospice Inc. and parent Chapters Health System Inc. that the two women failed to claim they experienced an adverse employment action as a result of the alleged discriminatory practice. It’s enough that the women say the scheme caused them to be passed over for work assignments, impacting them financially, the court said.
Oaks sells nursing home to national operator
04/16/24 at 03:00 AMOaks sells nursing home to national operator The Times and Democrat, by Gene Zaleski; 4/13/24 The Oaks Healthcare, the nursing home segment of The Oaks of Orangeburg (SC), has sold its nursing home services to Cascade Capital Group, a Skokie, Illinois-based private health care real estate investment and asset management firm. ... The Oaks will become PACS' 25th nursing home in the state and will join over 220 other nursing homes that PACS operates throughout the country. ... [The Oaks of Orangeburg manager] Clay Fowler said the changes will enable a greater focus on the PACE program. The program was rebranded as the Orangeburg Senior Helping Center-A PACE Healthcare Program in February 2022.
[$300k to inpatient hospice care] Youngkin presents budget reflecting compromise
04/16/24 at 03:00 AM[$300k to inpatient hospice care] Youngkin presents budget reflecting compromise Blue Ridge Leader & Loudon Today; 4/13/24 Gov. Glenn Youngkin on April 8, released a package of 242 budget amendments to find common ground with the General Assembly on a new, two-year budget. The propose package eliminates all tax decreases and increases, includes a $21.3 billion record investment for K-12 education, and provides $3.2 billion on new spending on health and human resources. ... [Among many other line items, this includes:] $300,000 for inpatient hospice care in Aldie.
Mayo Clinic Minute: Creating an advance directive for your future well-being
04/16/24 at 03:00 AMMayo Clinic Minute: Creating an advance directive for your future well-being
Pilot program leads to 42 percent reduction in resident falls
04/16/24 at 03:00 AMPilot program leads to 42 percent reduction in resident falls McKnights Senior Living, by John O'Connor; 4/15/24 A tech-based pilot program has helped Allegro Senior Living reduce resident falls by 42%, the company announced Thursday. As a result, the Grayslake, IL-based firm plans to expand the program to more of its 16 communities. For the pilot, Allegro partnered with SafelyYou. The tech-based firm uses a blend of AI video technology and around-the-clock remote clinical support. The combination helps detect falls and identify underlying causes.
Today is National Healthcare Decisions Day
04/16/24 at 03:00 AMToday is National Healthcare Decisions Day. Are your advance directives in place? Updated? Have you communicated your decisions with those involved?
The Maine Death with Dignity Act Annual Report - Data from calendar year 2023
04/16/24 at 03:00 AMThe Maine Death with Dignity Act Annual Report - Data from calendar year 2023 Produced by Data, Research, and Vital Statistics Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Department of Health and Human Services; 4/12/24 In accordance with 22 MRS § 2140(17), the Department of Health and Human Services (Department) [has generated and made available] to the public an annual statistical report of information collected under the Maine Death with Dignity Act. ... This report is for patients who completed a written request for medication to hasten their death in calendar year 2023. Patients who completed the oral request but not a written request within the calendar year will be included in the subsequent year’s report.
Reno Little Theater’s ‘The Quality of Life’ explores the complications of death and grief
04/16/24 at 03:00 AMReno Little Theater’s ‘The Quality of Life’ explores the complications of death and grief ThisIsReno, by Taylor Harker; 4/14/24Reno Little Theater’s “Quality of Life” brilliantly interweaves the lives of two families confronting profound grief and mortality. ... Together, ... two families navigate the turbulent waters of existential crises, each bringing their unique perspectives on faith, resilience and the ethics surrounding end-of-life decisions. ... “Quality of Life,” a dramatic comedy by Jane Anderson, explores how individuals and families confront and converse about death. The narrative is both tender and perceptive, delving into the internal conflicts and strong familial bonds that challenge and uphold them.
Hospices face ‘devastating’ financial crisis as staff costs rises, charity warns
04/16/24 at 03:00 AMHospices face ‘devastating’ financial crisis as staff costs rises, charity warns Shropshire Star, United Kingdom; 4/15/24 Hospices are facing a “devastating” financial crisis because of rising staff costs which are putting services at risk, a charity has warned. The chief executive of Hospice UK, Toby Porter, said the last year had seen the “worst financial results for the hospice sector in around 20 years.”
Modern Healthcare's 2024 Diversity Leaders Awards: Nominate a diverse leader
04/16/24 at 03:00 AMModern Healthcare's Diversity Leaders Awards: Nominate a diverse leader Modern Healthcare; 4/12/24 The Diversity Leaders in Healthcare awards program takes great pride in honoring the healthcare executives and organizations working to further equity and inclusion at their organizations and in the overall industry. ... [Click on the title's link for Individual and Organizational Awards' Dates, Eligibility, Criteria, Required Materials, and more]
Potential CMS measure shows divide over quality training standards
04/16/24 at 03:00 AMPotential CMS measure shows divide over quality training standards Modern Healthcare, by Mari Devereaux; 4/12/24 Hospitals may soon be required to provide set quality training to staff as part of a Medicare reporting program, but health systems and advocacy organizations are split on whether the standardization of quality-related skill sets is necessary to improve patient care.
Goals of care among patients with advanced cancer and their family caregivers in the last years of life
04/16/24 at 03:00 AMGoals of care among patients with advanced cancer and their family caregivers in the last years of life JAMA Network; by Semra Ozdemir, PhD; Isha Chaudhry, MSc, Chetna Malhotra, MD; et al; 4/11/24 Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study of patient-caregiver dyads, findings suggested the importance of interventions aimed at reducing discordance in goals of care between patients and caregivers and helping them develop realistic expectations to avoid costly, futile treatments.
Art made by hospice patients displayed at Poole Lighthouse
04/16/24 at 03:00 AMArt made by hospice patients displayed at Poole Lighthouse Yahoo! News, by Erin Rhodes, United Kingdom; 4/15/24 More than 200 pieces of art made by patients at a Dorset hospice charity have been displayed at the Lighthouse in Poole [United Kingdom]. The artworks have been made by patients with life-limiting illnesses at Lewis-Manning Hospice Care’s hubs across Poole and east Dorset. Creative Art is one of the services the charity provides to support patients’ wellbeing and mental health.
‘Are nursing homes our only option?’ These centers offer older adults an alternative.
04/16/24 at 03:00 AM‘Are nursing homes our only option?’ These centers offer older adults an alternative. Rhode Island Current, by Anna Claire Vollers; 4/12/24PACE centers attract bipartisan interest and, in some states, scrutiny. ... PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) centers provide government-funded medical care and social services to people older than 55 whose complex medical needs qualify them for nursing home care, but who can live at home with the right sort of help. ... Nationally, PACE centers are owned by a variety of health care organizations, including nonprofits, for-profit companies, large health care systems and religious organizations. ... [The] explosive growth has come with challenges ...