Literature Review

The day Ram Dass Died The New Yorker, by Christopher Fiorell; 4/6/24 He taught me to be more curious, present, and self-loving. His final lesson was more surprising. ... I woke up every thirty minutes the night before Ram Dass died. Stretching my perception through the big divider that separated his study—where I lay on a narrow couch—from his bedroom, I’d count the seconds between the short, ragged breaths churning through his sleep-apnea machine. Four years later, I still have no idea why I was chosen to watch over him that night. 

EverHeart Hospice shares career paths Daily Advocate; 4/9/24 EverHeart Hospice was honored to have the opportunity again this year to share the wide variety of career paths within their organization at the annual Impact Stem2D Conference. The event is a one-day interactive event offered to empower young women in Darke County Schools and aims to encourage them to explore careers in STEM. ... Team members from EverHeart Hospice ... explained to the group what hospice is and the types of careers available within the organization: ... nurses and aides, ... HR, business development, finance, IT, bereavement, social work and music therapy to make the organization successful.

Jefferson CEO lays out Lehigh Valley integration plan Modern Healthcare, by Alex Kacik; 4/9/24 Jefferson Health and Lehigh Valley Health Network will soon take the next steps toward the formation of a $15 billion nonprofit health system. Philadelphia-based Jefferson and Lehigh in December signed a non-binding letter of intent under which Jefferson would merge with Lehigh. The organizations plan to sign a definitive agreement this month, Jefferson CEO Dr. Joseph Cacchione said. 

Iowa River Hospice resident receives Quilt of Valor Times Republican, by Robert Maharry; 4/8/24 Kenny King may have only spent two years in the military after being drafted into the U.S. Army at the height of the Vietnam War, but he’s always recognized the importance of that period in his life since returning to central Iowa. King who spent the vast majority of his life in the Grinnell area, has been living at Iowa River Hospice since late December, and recently, he received a Quilt of Valor recognizing his service from Denise Straits of the Central Iowa Quilt Sew-ciety, who also happens to be an RN at Iowa River Hospice. 

New hospice physician requirements sow claims submission confusionMcKnights Home Care, by Adam Healy; 4/8/24As hospice providers prepare for new physician certification rules going into effect next month, many are still seeking clarification from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on how the new rules will affect claims processes, experts said in a recent webinar. “The new requirement is effective May 1, 2024,” Katie Wehri, director of regulatory affairs for the National Association for Home Care & Hospice, said during the webinar Thursday. “We know that is right around the corner, and we have some concerns about that date, frankly, because of some of the inconsistent instructions that we have seen from CMS.”

California bill would impose more controls on private equity investments in healthcare McKnights Senior Living, by Kathleen Steel Gaivin; 4/9/24 A bill under consideration by the California State Legislature would “add scrutiny on private equity companies when considering healthcare investments, amplifying the pressure already imposed by enforcement agencies in California and throughout the country,” attorneys from Polsinelli told the McKnight’s Business Daily on Monday. ... According to attorneys at Sidley Austin law firm, the legislation would affect “direct and indirect purchases of a material amount of assets and operations of a healthcare facility or provider; changes in voting control of a healthcare facility or provider; or direct and indirect changes in control over the healthcare services or operations of a healthcare facility or provider.”

Care partners have an increased loneliness risk HCP Live, by Chelsie Derman; 4/8/24 The study highlights how the experience of loneliness for care partners of people with dementia changes relationship roles throughout the dementia trajectory. A new study sought to widen the knowledge gap on why people with dementia and their care partners have an increased loneliness risk and identified primary themes: losing external social networks, losses with the dyadic relationship, and the burden of a care partner supporting their loved ones.Editor's Note:

New safeguards added to New York's proposed Medical Aid in Dying ActSpectrum News 1, by Luke Parsnow; 4/5/24The two architects behind New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act have amended added additional safeguards to the legislation in the hope it can soon become law. The act would allow terminally ill, mentally capable adults who have been given six months or less to live to take their own lives with a cocktail of pharmaceutical drugs.

Northwell, Memorial Hermann and others join Aegis consortiumModern Healthcare, by Gabriel Perna; 4/2/24 Nine health systems, including Northwell Health and Memorial Hermann Health, System joined a digital consortium led by startup studio Aegis Ventures. Aegis, which creates, invests and operates digital health companies, said Tuesday the consortium will develop, invest in and deploy digital health solutions. 

Thinking outside the box: eco concerns prompt greener funeral options Positive.News, by Alison McClintock; 4/5/24 Keeping a lid on your carbon footprint doesn’t stop with your last breath. Your choice of funeral can have a significant environmental impact. In a recent report by the US-based National Funeral Directors Association, 60.5% of those surveyed expressed their interest in greener options including resomation (water cremation) human composting and natural burials.  And while the UK’s funeral preferences are currently split 80:20 between cremations and burials, YouGov research finds that almost a third (29%) of people in the UK would choose alternative committal methods if available. 

How therapy dogs are bringing comfort to hospice patients in Metro Detroit The Detroit News, by Anne Snabes; 4/7/24 For over two months, hospice patient Virginia Favero has been getting occasional visits from Sam the beagle-mix, providing her with a canine companion. Sam isn't her dog, but he's there to bring her comfort. Sam's owner, Rachel Marshall, typically has the dog sit on a black folding chair, so Favero can reach him from her recliner chair in the Pomeroy Living community in Northville. ... "It really warms her heart when he comes," said Lynn Favero, Virginia Favero's daughter.

Hospitals cash in on a private equity-backed trend: Concierge physician care KFF Health News, by Phil Galewitz; 4/1/24 Nonprofit hospitals created largely to serve the poor are adding concierge physician practices, charging patients annual membership fees of $2,000 or more for easier access to their doctors. It’s a trend that began decades ago with physician practices. Thousands of doctors have shifted to the concierge model, in which they can increase their income while decreasing their patient load. ...

Medicine—Both a Science (Care) and an Art (CARE) JAMA Network - Viewpoint; by Theodore J. Strange, MD and Mario R. Castellanos, MD; 4/3/24In the current era, health care is increasingly characterized by the integration of big data, predictive analytics, medical devices, and artificial intelligence. These technological advancements have undoubtedly transformed the landscape of medical care, offering unprecedented precision and efficiency in diagnosis and treatment. Yet, amidst this surge of scientific innovation, the timeless art of medicine (compassion and caring) remains a foundational aspect of patient-centered health care ... The acronym CARE (compassion, assistance, respect, and empathy) encapsulates these enduring values. ... In a world increasingly driven by data and algorithms, these qualities foster a trusting and supportive relationship between health care professionals and patients, thereby enhancing the healing process and enriching the overall health care experience.