Literature Review

[ALS] Controlling what can be controlled: Palliative Care ALS Association [Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly known as "Lou Gehrig's Disease]; 3/13/24 “Palliative care specialists can help people determine and define what are the ‘everyday things’ that matter to them. Some people may already know what these are but may not have had an opportunity to share this information with their health care team,” Dr. Mehta says. “Others may not know they can share this with their health care team. They may not know where to find help with these ‘everyday things.’ [Dr. Ambereen K. Mehta, MD, MPH, FAAHPM, associate professor of palliative care in the Departments of Medicine and Neurology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine]Editor's Note: Are your palliative care services connected with your local ALS Association? This page on the ALS website describes beautifully the benefits of palliative care as soon as the diagnosis occurs. 

Death Cafes in Duluth aim to make end of life something more normal to talk about ABC WDIO; 3/11/24 Talking about death can be difficult and daunting. A Duluth woman who’s an estate attorney wants to change that. Amy Kuronen just hosted her first Death Cafe. Nine people attended, and it was an open ended conversation without an agenda. ... It’s not a grief support group, although you can mention your grief. It’s more about connecting and sharing. Editor's Note: Are you aware of Death Cafes in your area? Do their representatives have relevant information about your hospice and palliative care services?

Antidepressant prescribing practices of pediatric palliative care providers Journal of Palliative Medicine, by Teresa Venta; 3/12/24 Objective: This study seeks to describe the antidepressant prescribing practices of PPC providers and describe their level of training and comfort in assessing for anxiety and depression and prescribing psychotropic medications. Conclusions: Limited training in assessing mental health concerns, prescribing, and managing psychopharmacology suggests an opportunity for more targeted education for pediatric PC providers regarding antidepressant prescribing practices.

Nearly 53% of hospices undergo multiple audits simultaneouslyHospice News, by Jim Parker; 3/12/24Program integrity and an onslaught of audits are top of mind for many hospice providers in 2024. The nation’s four largest hospice industry organizations — LeadingAge, the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC), the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) and the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) — in late 2023 conducted a 133-respondent provider survey focused on regulation. ... About 52.9% reported having multiple audits, each of a different type, within six months of one another, and 31% said they were required to submit the same charts for each of these audits.

CMS hears you, hospice providersMcKnights Home Care, by Liza Berger; 3/8/24 Rarely does the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services succeed in shocking us. The large bureaucracy, which is not exactly known for its nimbleness, managed to do so this week when it abruptly cancelled the hospice component of the Value-Based Insurance Design Model. ... For those who wonder whether advocacy works, I’d chalk this up to a win for providers — and a clear example of advocacy in action. 

New book addresses prolonged grief disorder diagnosis and treatmentHospice Foundation of America, press release 2/26/24Hospice Foundation of America (HFA) today announced the publication of Understanding Prolonged Grief Disorder, written and edited by some of the nation’s leading grief experts and healthcare professionals. Prolonged grief disorder (PGD) is a new diagnosis in the most recent version of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed., text rev.) Inclusion of PGD validates the occurrence of a disorder characterized by the persistence of pervasive, intense grief. With the possible exception of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), this is the first time a loss-related condition has been identified as a diagnosable condition.

Facing dementia: clarifying end-of-life choices, supporting better lives EurekAlert!, by The Hastings Center; 3/11/24A new Hastings Center special report considers how America’s aging society responds to the needs and concerns of people facing dementia. ... Three essays reconsider familiar ways of thinking and talking about decision-making and care concerning people nearing the end of life to better reflect the needs and concerns of people facing dementia. For example, “Too Soon or Too Late: Rethinking the Significance of Six Months When Dementia Is a Primary Diagnosis” takes a critical look at the “six-month rule.”

Certified Nurses Day is March 19, 2024

Hospice of the Valley offering services in TucsonTucson.com, by Debbie Shumway, Executive Director of Hospice of the Valley; 3/4/24We are honored to share that Hospice of the Valley is now serving patients and families in Tucson. Our nonprofit agency was founded by a group of volunteers in 1977 and our mission has never wavered: Bringing comfort, dignity and compassionate care to our community.

A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows. - Francis of Assisi

Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center recognizes Certified Nurses DayRWJ Barnabas Health Blog; 3/11/24In honor of Certified Nurses Day, March 19, 2024, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (CBMC) acknowledges the 500 members of our Magnet-recognized nursing staff who have achieved and maintained national board certification during 2023 in their nursing specialty. Editor's Note: Congratulations to these certified nurses and to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center for honoring them in such visible, meaningful way! For your organization, though time is short, what can you doto honor your certified nurses?

Paintings by famous artists reimagined in exhibition showcasing end-of-life care