Literature Review
Dana-Farber’s new push to integrate palliative, behavioral services in cancer care
04/05/24 at 03:00 AMDana-Farber’s new push to integrate palliative, behavioral services in cancer careHospice News, by Audrie Martin; 4/2/24Boston-based Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has launched the Neuro-Inclusive Oncology Care and Empowerment Program, a psychosocial oncology initiative focused on adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD). ... Patients with disabilities are largely underserved, but they represent a growing need as well as an untapped market for providers. More palliative care and hospice companies are developing programs to meet the specific concerns of these patients to improve access to care.
Palliative care could be a game changer for public health
04/05/24 at 03:00 AMPalliative care could be a game changer for public health Harvard Public Health, by Meredith Lidard Kleeman; 4/4/24California and Hawaii are pioneering ways to expand access. ... California is one of the first states in the country to require insurance companies that administer Medicaid benefits to fully cover palliative care services for eligible residents. ... Palliative care is poised to be a game changer for public health. Nearly 50 percent of states now include palliative care services for eligible Medicaid recipients, according to C-TAC. And in California and Hawaii, two paths are being forged toward wider palliative care access. ...
Hospital CEO turnover up 36% in February
04/05/24 at 03:00 AMHospital CEO turnover up 36% in FebruaryBecker's Hospital Review, by Kelly Gooch; 3/29/24Hospitals reported 15 CEO changes last month, marking a 36% increase from January. Hospitals announced 26 CEO changes total in the first two months of 2024, according to a March 29 report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas, an executive coaching firm that examines CEO turnover in the U.S. ... Across the 29 industries and sectors measured by the firm, there were 248 CEO changes in February, up 28% from the 194 CEO exits recorded the month prior. Last month's total marked the highest monthly total on record, according to the firm. Challenger, Gray & Christmas began tracking CEO exits 22 years ago.
Neuropsychiatric effects associated with opioid-based management for palliative care patients
04/05/24 at 03:00 AMNeuropsychiatric effects associated with opioid-based management for palliative care patients
CMS provides first look at shorter, Risk-Based Survey process
04/05/24 at 03:00 AMCMS provides first look at shorter, Risk-Based Survey process McKnights Long-Term Care News, by Kimberly Marselas; 4/4/24 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Wednesday revealed initial information about a potential “Risk-Based Survey” option that could be available to some of the nation’s best performing nursing homes. ... CMS said in an update to its nursing home provider enrollment page Wednesday that it is working with states to test this process over the next several months. ... CMS said the proposed risk-based survey, or RBS, approach would allow “consistently higher-quality facilities” to receive a more focused survey, while still ensuring compliance with health and safety standards.
Vermont bill would address violence against home health workers
04/05/24 at 03:00 AMVermont bill would address violence against home health workers CBS TV 3 WCAX, by Laura Ullman; 4/3/24 The increase in violence against health care workers in recent years is also happening behind closed doors. Vermont’s hospice and home health care workers say they’re facing sexual violence, threats, and assault. Now, Vermont lawmakers are considering a bill to provide further protections. “Home health nurses go into homes, unknown homes, by themselves all the time. So, we really need to be able to protect them,” said Jill Mazza Olson with the Vermont Visiting Nurse Association.
Ohio’s Hospice celebrates Spring Spectacular Treasures of Time: Raises over $36k
04/05/24 at 03:00 AMOhio’s Hospice celebrates Spring Spectacular Treasures of Time: Raises over $36kCarroll County Messenger, by Thomas Clapper; 4/2/24Ohio’s Hospice celebrated its Spring Spectacular Treasures of Time March 16 with food, entertainment, silent and live auctions and as always, celebrity servers. Celebrity servers have become the mainstays of the annual event which raised funds for local hospice care. 2024 celebrity servers, who raised a total of $36,671, included Gary and Nicole Chaddock, Brad Eick, Rick and Holly Morgan, Matt Kishman, Kate Offenberger, Janet Smith, Katie DeLane, Allan Furbee, Tom James, Grant Bake and Cedar One, Mark Scott, John Weyand and Bill and Barb Newell.
RNs are moving away from home health and hospice, federal survey reveals
04/05/24 at 03:00 AMRNs are moving away from home health and hospice, federal survey reveals McKnights Home Care, by Adam Healy; 4/2/24 Though the number of registered nurses continues to grow, fewer are working in home healthcare and hospice compared to years past, according to the latest national sample survey collected by the Health Resources & Services Administration. In 2018, there were 179,509 RNs working in home health and hospice, representing about 6% of the nursing workforce, according to an earlier national survey. HRSA’s latest count estimated that there were 173,808 RNs in home health and hospice in 2022, or only 5% of the workforce.
Other Business Headlines of Interest, updated 4/4/24 per nasdaq.com
04/05/24 at 03:00 AMOther Business Headlines of Interest, updated 4/4/24 per nasdaq.com
Mortality, hospice use rates differ in assisted living communities depending on whether memory care is offered
04/05/24 at 03:00 AMMortality, hospice use rates differ in assisted living communities depending on whether memory care is offeredMcKnights Senior Living, by Kimberly Bonvissuto; 4/4/24Assisted living communities that provide memory care services may attract residents closer to the end of life or promote hospice use at the end of life compared with assisted living communities without such services, according to the findings of a new study. ... Researchers from the Brown University School of Public Health, the University of Melbourne and the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing examined whether end-of-life outcomes — mortality and hospice use — differed between assisted living facilities with and without memory care services among 15,152 residents who moved into larger communities between 2016 and 2018.Editor's Note: Click here for the source article, "Do end-of-life outcomes differ by assisted living memory-care designation?"
Central Dauphin football building connections with residents at Grane Hospice
04/05/24 at 03:00 AMCentral Dauphin football building connections with residents at Grane Hospice ABC TV 27 WHTM, Harrisburg, PA; by Amber Charnoff; 4/2/24 Volunteering is a cornerstone of the Central Dauphin football team and over the past 15 years the team has donated their time to Grane Hospice. ... Central Dauphin seniors Kannyon Miller and Elijah McDonald have enjoyed interacting with the residents at Grane. ... Coach McNamee enjoys stepping back and watching these relationships develop. ... “It’s so much fun watching them in action and seeing that room with the interactions between the players and the residents,” McNamee said. “There’s no doubt it’s a win-win. The residents are really enjoying it and our players are really enjoying it.”
Hospice update: March goes out like a lion
04/05/24 at 03:00 AMHospice update: March goes out like a lion Morgan Lewis - Health Law Scan, by Howard J. Young; 4/2/24 The old adage—March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb—didn’t quite hold true for the hospice sector, which experienced a late-month flurry of activity. The government gave the hospice sector a lot to consider, from MedPAC’s suggested freeze on hospice rates to CMS’s 2025 Proposed Hospice Rule (public comments due May 28, 2024) that, if finalized as is, would include a 2.6% payment bump. CMS’s Proposed Hospice Rule lays the groundwork for the long-anticipated Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE) quality measures data collection instrument, which will be used to collect data at various points during the hospice stay, not just at admission and discharge.
5 most challenging requirements in 2023: Joint Commission
04/05/24 at 03:00 AM5 most challenging requirements in 2023 [for hospitals]: Joint Commission Becker's Clinical Leadership, by Mackenzie Bean; 4/3/24Maintaining infection prevention and control during disinfection and sterilization activities was the most challenging compliance standard for hospitals in 2023, according to The Joint Commission. The organization identified the top five requirements for which hospitals were most frequently out of compliance, based on surveys and reviews from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31. ... [Click on the title's article for the 5 top challenges.]
Fostering respect and appreciation seen as keys to retaining direct care workers
04/05/24 at 02:00 AMFostering respect and appreciation seen as keys to retaining direct care workersMcKnights Online Forum, by Kimberly Bonvissuto; 3/27/24 Expressions of appreciation and respect can go a long way in addressing senior living’s direct care workforce crisis, according to a panel of direct workers and employers who addressed what makes employees want to stay — or go. ... Nate Hamme, president and executive director of the Ceca Foundation, ... said that the most important part of employee recognition is listening to people. ... He added that there is a science to recognition backed by research into what motivates people and implementing programs around that. ... Recognition programs, Hamme added, should focus on IMPACT: inclusive, mission-aligned, public, authentic, consistent and timely.
Tool simplifies requests for palliative care consults
04/05/24 at 02:00 AMTool simplifies requests for palliative care consultsAmerican Association of Critical-Care Nurses; 4/2/24A simple screening tool integrated into the admissions process for critically ill patients can streamline requests for palliative care consultations, according to a study published in Critical Care Nurse (CCN). ... An initiative in the mixed surgical and medical ICU at Bon Secours Mercy Health Anderson, a 230-bed, community hospital in Cincinnati, sought to improve the process of requesting palliative care consultations. “ Integrating Palliative Care Screening in the Intensive Care Unit: A Quality Improvement Project” demonstrates the potential impact of adding a simple screening tool at the point of admission to initiate automatic referrals for palliative care consultations.
PACS Group could raise $400 million in IPO
04/04/24 at 03:15 AMPACS Group could raise $400 million in IPOMcKnights Long-Term Care News, by Kimberly Marselas; 4/3/24PACS Group, one of the nation’s largest nursing home operators, could raise about $400 million in an initial public offering, according to a fresh round of documents filed this week. Utah-based PACS plans to offer 19.05 million shares of common stock when it goes public, with an estimated price of $20 to $22 per share. At the top of that range, the move to the New York Stock Exchange could net the company $429 million in value.
Today's Encouragement: The most valuable gift you can give to humanity ...
04/04/24 at 03:00 AMThe most valuable gift you can give to humanity is a good example. - Ifeanyi Enoch Onuoha
Destigmatizing conversations around the end of life
04/04/24 at 03:00 AMDestigmatizing conversations around the end of life ABC News WCVB 5, Boston; produced by Lisa Thalhamer; 3/28/24 Stanley Sagov is a jazz musician and physician who is managing a diagnosis of malignant melanoma. He shares his story with medical students and doctors, offering counsel on how to discuss end-of-life matters.
Nursa Survey finds 98% of hospital CFOs view nurse staffing as top challenge
04/04/24 at 03:00 AMNursa Survey finds 98% of hospital CFOs view nurse staffing as top challenge Morningstar, provided by Business Wire; 4/2/24Survey results offer insight into C-suite perspectives on workforce trends and financial impact. Nursa, a nationwide platform that exists to put a nurse at the bedside of every patient in need, today released the results of a survey with healthcare decision-makers that examines their perspectives on the evolving social contract of employment, opinions on the 1099 workforce, and reflections on what makes a nurse truly valuable to an organization. Key findings from the survey include:
Survey shines light on health care discrimination against LGBTQ+ people
04/04/24 at 03:00 AMSurvey shines light on health care discrimination against LGBTQ+ people KFF Health News; 4/3/24Members of the LGBTQ+ community are twice as likely to experience discrimination in health care, a survey found. ... The survey, conducted by KFF, noted that members of the LGBTQ community have historically faced disparities while receiving health care, including challenges to accessing mental and physical health care. Editor's Note: This article includes specific examples from Utah, Colorado, and New Hampshire.
Remembering my daughter while being a cancer survivor myself
04/04/24 at 03:00 AMRemembering my daughter while being a cancer survivor myself Coping, by Dottie Monroe; 4/1/24 Her name was Jill, my daughter. She was a beautiful, sensitive woman who loved animals and the joys of nature. ... Can you imagine that there is any parent in the world who wouldn’t give up their own life to save their child? Or question why my child and not me because that seems so wrong? Sometimes there is no explaining the why of things, although I gave it thought for a long time. Then one day I was done with “why.”
Vietnam veterans group salutes Mish, the World War II vet in hospice care who adopted them
04/04/24 at 03:00 AMVietnam veterans group salutes Mish, the World War II vet in hospice care who adopted them NBC News KGET.com, Bakersfield, CA; by Robert Price; 4/2/24Ray Mish’s military service to this country ended with World War II, but his service to the community of Bakersfield and to his fellow veterans never ended. As the number of Kern County veterans of World War II gradually diminished over the years, and Ray Mish saw the brotherhood of fighters he so cherished slowly erode, he looked elsewhere for that special sort of camaraderie. He found it in a generation-younger group of local Vietnam War veterans. ... This week [as Mish rests at home receiving hospice care], 24 days before his 100th birthday, a dozen members of Bakersfield’s Vietnam Rat Pack converged on his home in north Bakersfield. ...
Elevating quality, outcomes, and patient experience through Value-Based Care: CMS Innovation Center’s Quality Pathway
04/04/24 at 03:00 AMElevating quality, outcomes, and patient experience through Value-Based Care: CMS Innovation Center’s Quality PathwayNEJM Catalyst; by Susannah M. Bernheim, MD, MHS; Noemi Rudolph, MPH; Jacob K. Quinton, MD, MPH; Julia Driessen, PhD; Purva Rawal, PhD; and Elizabeth Fowler, PhD, JD; 4/3/24The U.S. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation is launching a new Quality Pathway to elevate patient-centered quality goals in the design and evaluation of alternative payment models. The Quality Pathway will align model design around quality goals; elevate outcomes and experience measures, particularly patient-reported outcomes; and ensure that evaluations have the ability to assess the impact of models on primary quality goals. These determinations will help the Innovation Center make critical decisions about which models to scale or expand in the pursuit of improving the quality of care for people with Medicare and Medicaid.
Hospice, home health provider Charter Healthcare files for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
04/04/24 at 03:00 AMHospice, home health provider Charter Healthcare files for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Hospice News, by Jim Parker; 4/2/24 Hospice and home health provider Charter Healthcare, a portfolio company of Pharos Capital, recently filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. No public announcement was made. The petition for bankruptcy was filed in the Federal District Court of Delaware in late January, according to documents obtained by Hospice News. A public record search showed Chapter 7 filings for Charter locations in at least eight states, which span the company’s entire footprint.
Blue Shield's Palliative Care Program wins national recognition for improving lives
04/04/24 at 03:00 AMBlue Shield's Palliative Care Program wins national recognition for improving lives Blue Shield California; 3/28/24 During the first quarter of this year, the Journal of Palliative Medicine published results of a study entitled “Cost and Utilization Implications of a Health Plan’s Home-Based Palliative Care Program” from leaders at Blue Shield and researchers from West Health Research Institute that garnered attention from industry publications. ... Major findings from the study were that home-based palliative care delivered to people not yet eligible for hospice reduced their hospital and emergency room use, showed trends towards an increased length of life, and extended the continuum of care for people with serious illness and their caregivers.