Literature Review
After almost a year closed, Longview hospice center [reopens]
02/07/24 at 03:55 AMAfter almost a year closed, Longview hospice center [reopens]The Daily News (Longview, WA), by Minka Atkinson; 2/2/24PeaceHealth Richard Nau Hospice House is scheduled to begin accepting patients Monday [2/5/24]. An open house Wednesday [1/31/24] allowed community members to tour the facility and meet with care staff ahead of the center’s opening.
Mass General Brigham pilot: AI tool helped optimize palliative care utilization
02/07/24 at 03:55 AMMass General Brigham pilot: AI tool helped optimize palliative care utilizationFierce Healthcare, by Anastassia Gliadkovskaya; 2/2/24Artificial intelligence can help identify easy to miss patients who might be good candidates for a palliative or hospice care referral, a recent pilot at Mass General Brigham (MGB) revealed. ... Over the course of the pilot, 9% of 1,522 MSSP ACO patients were recommended for a consult by the tool, with 40 receiving inpatient palliative consults. An estimated 17 of those would have been missed without the Radial tool.
Hospice provider BrightSpring begins trading on NASDAQ
02/07/24 at 03:30 AMHospice provider BrightSpring begins trading on NASDAQHospice News, by Jim Parker; 1/29/24BrightSpring Health Services, Inc. has begun trading on the NASDAQ under the stock symbol BTSG. BrightSpring is a home- and community-based health care services platform that serves more than 400,000 patients daily.Notable mentions: Jon Rousseau, CEO BrightSpring.
University of Colorado researcher uses platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ patients in hospice care
02/07/24 at 03:20 AMUniversity of Colorado researcher uses platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ patients in hospice careMcKnights Home Care, by Foster Stubbs; 2/6/24Personal identity plays a big role in Carey Candrian’s research. An associate professor of medicine-internal medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine who identifies as a lesbian, her work primarily focuses on the experiences of older LGBTQ+ adults in hospice care. This work is especially important today in the wake of increased violence towards the community and inconsistent legal protections in recent years.
Rising workplace violence against nurses: A pressing issue in the healthcare sector
02/07/24 at 03:00 AMRising workplace violence against nurses: A pressing issue in the healthcare sector Medriva, by Zara Nwosu; 2/5/24According to a report published by National Nurses United, there has been a disturbing increase in violence against nurses in their workplace, with a staggering 81.6% of nurses reporting experiences of violence. ... It negatively impacts recruitment and retention, with 60% of nurses stating that the experience of violence has influenced their decision to change jobs, leave jobs, or even consider leaving the profession.
StateServe’s Delta Care Rx acquisition fueled by hospice cost saving potential
02/07/24 at 01:00 AMStateServe’s Delta Care Rx acquisition fueled by hospice cost saving potentialHospice News, by Holly Vossel; 1/29/24Durable medical equipment (DME) provider StateServ has acquired Delta Care Rx, a national hospice pharmaceutical benefits manager (PBM). The acquisition is a move aimed at leveraging technology to improve quality, care delivery and operational efficiencies among hospice, palliative and post-acute care providers, according to Drew Mihalyo, founder, president and COO of Delta Care Rx.
Palmetto Hospice updates and review webinar: February 13, 2024
02/06/24 at 04:00 AMPalmetto Hospice updates and review webinar: February 13, 2024Press release; 2/5/24Webinar 2/13/24 @ 1:00 PM ET. Please click here to register for this webinar session. This session is designed to provide insight for your Hospice agency staff. During this session, a representative will provide Hospice Billing Updates, Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) Model information, 2024 Final Rule Summary and other helpful information and tips.
Private equity’s growing footprint in home health care draws scrutiny
02/06/24 at 04:00 AMPrivate equity’s growing footprint in home health care draws scrutinyAlabama Reflector, by Anna Claire Vollers; 1/31/24Critics point to Help at Home’s departure from Alabama as a cautionary tale for what can happen when states that spend little on health care rely on private equity-owned providers to care for their most vulnerable residents.
How does care coordination promote senior health & longevity?
02/06/24 at 04:00 AMHow does care coordination promote senior health & longevity?MediaFeed.org, by Kara Lewis; 2/2/24... Care coordination offers several fundamental benefits to seniors, according to an American Nurses Association report:
10% of people with dementia may actually have different disease, research suggests
02/06/24 at 04:00 AM10% of people with dementia may actually have different disease, research suggestsBecker's Clinical Leadership, by Ashleigh Hollowell; 2/1/24Certain cases of dementia — potentially up to 10% — could instead be undiagnosed liver disease and related neurological issues, according to a study published Jan. 31 in JAMA. Additionally, researchers believe that the 10% of undiagnosed liver disease and brain dysfunction could possibly be resolved with treatment. For the study, researchers analyzed a decade of data — spanning 2009 to 2019 — from 177,422 veterans who had a diagnosis of dementia, and looked for a high Fibrosis-4 score, which is a sign of advanced liver fibrosis that can lead to cirrhosis.
Colorado’s paid leave program just launched. Here’s why that’s good for the state.
02/06/24 at 04:00 AMColorado’s paid leave program just launched. Here’s why that’s good for the state.U.S. Department of Labor Blog, by Gayle Goldin; 2/5/24Today marks the 31st anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), landmark federal legislation that provides eligible workers unpaid, job-protected leave for specific family and medical reasons. ... But the FMLA is not enough. The lack of a paid leave standard means that many people cannot afford to take time away from work, even when they need it. That’s why we’re celebrating Colorado’s new paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI), which began accepting applications on Jan. 1.
Elevance Health’s vision: Transforming Louisiana’s healthcare through acquisition
02/06/24 at 04:00 AMElevance Health’s vision: Transforming Louisiana’s healthcare through acquisitionBNN, by Muthana Al-Najjar; 2/4/24In an ambitious move to transform the healthcare landscape in Louisiana, Elevance Health [for profit] has proposed an acquisition of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana (BCBSLA) [non-profit]. The move aims to leverage Elevance Health’s innovative and integrated approach, focusing on broader social determinants of health to improve health outcomes and provide affordable care.
Medicare Advantage profitability on the decline, Moody's finds
02/06/24 at 04:00 AMMedicare Advantage profitability on the decline, Moody's findsHealthcare Finance, by Jeff Lagasse; 2/2/24A significant spike in utilization is putting cost pressure on insureres, which will likely affect earnings. While Medicare Advantage remains attractive to the healthcare industry due to strong growth, high revenue and earnings per member, profitability is on the decline, according to a new analysis by Moody's Investor Service.
Marijuana is big business in U.S., but inconsistent regulations persist
02/06/24 at 04:00 AMMarijuana is big business in U.S., but inconsistent regulations persistForbes, by Joshua Cohen; 2/2/24Marijuana is big business these days in the U.S. Revenues could reach $40 billion this year, as the drug is now legal in 37 states for medical purposes while 23 states permit recreational use. However, there’s no federal oversight and an inconsistent, patchy set of state regulations persist.
Cano Health files for bankruptcy, receives $150-mln financing commitment
02/06/24 at 04:00 AMCano Health files for bankruptcy, receives $150-mln financing commitmentReuters; 2/5/24Cano Health opens new tab filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware late on Sunday and said it entered into a restructuring support agreement to reduce debt and solicit potential offers, including the sale of the firm. Shares of the Miami-based company fell more than 50% before the bell. The primary care provider said it has received a commitment for $150 million in new debtor-in-possession financing from some of its existing lenders, which is expected to provide sufficient liquidity to support its ongoing operations.
Strategies for positive change in opioid prescribing
02/06/24 at 04:00 AMStrategies for positive change in opioid prescribingPharmacy Times; 2/1/24This is a video synopsis/summary of a Practice Pearls featuring Ryan Haumschild, PharmD, MS, MBA, CPEL; Megan Mitchell, PharmD, MS; Stephanie Abel, PharmD, BCPS; and Jennifer Grate, CPhT. Haumschild discusses the importance of positive change in opioid stewardship.
SSM Health assumes ownership of Visiting Nurse Association of Greater St. Louis
02/06/24 at 04:00 AMSSM Health assumes ownership of Visiting Nurse Association of Greater St. LouisSSM Health; 2/1/24SSM Health and Visiting Nurse Association of Greater St. Louis (VNA) announced today they’ve successfully completed a transfer of ownership of VNA’s health care services. Effective immediately, the exceptional services VNA is known for – including hospice care, Advanced Illness Management (AIM),community-based palliative care, private duty care, Visit-A-Bit, vaccination, wellness, and music appreciation programs – will now operate as part of SSM Health at Home.
Spending in home care outpaces other healthcare sectors
02/06/24 at 04:00 AMSpending in home care outpaces other healthcare sectorsMcKnights Senior Living, by Kathleen Steele Gaivin; 2/2/24Spending in home healthcare outpaced other healthcare sectors in November, according to Altarum’s monthly Health Sector Economic Indicators brief, released Wednesday. “In November 2023, year-over-year spending on home healthcare grew the fastest among major spending categories, at 12.9%,” Altarum Fellow and Senior Researcher George Miller told the McKnight’s Business Daily. ... Spending on nursing home care grew 7.9%; prescription drug 12.2%; dental services 5.8%; hospital care 5.9%; Overall, personal spending on healthcare goods and services was 7.3% in November, year over year.
Today's Encouragement: from Maya Angelou
02/06/24 at 04:00 AMThe desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise. – Maya Angelou
Where do we end our lives?
02/06/24 at 04:00 AMWhere do we end our lives? American Council on Science and Health, by Chuck Dinerstein, MD, MBA; 2/5/24The concept of an elephant's graveyard, where old elephantes supposedly go to die, is more of a myth than a scientifically supported phenomenon. Humans do not have a specific location where we gather to die, but a study looks into the matter nevertheless.
A journalist assisted a woman’s quest for suicide. Did he get too involved?
02/06/24 at 04:00 AMA journalist assisted a woman’s quest for suicide. Did he get too involved?The Washington Post, by Jeremy Barr; 2/3/24The Boston Globe acknowledged that writer Kevin Cullen crossed an ethical line by signing a legal form for Lynda Bluestein. But the woman’s husband is grateful for what he did. Kevin Cullen, a veteran columnist for the Boston Globe, spent months shadowing a terminally ill Connecticut woman as she campaigned for permission to have an assisted suicide and ultimately died that way several weeks ago. ... But Cullen did more than just chronicle [her] journey. He also got involved in her story by signing a legal form attesting that she was sound of mind when she requested to die in Vermont, which granted her the right to do so.
NC report defines healthcare worker shortage and recommends solutions
02/06/24 at 04:00 AMNC report defines healthcare worker shortage and recommends solutionsNC Newsline, by Lynn Bonner; 1/29/24The healthcare workforce has a lot of gaps. The report from DHHS and Commerce focused on nursing, behavioral health, and direct care, saying these areas are the most urgent.
CMS proposes Medicare Advantage rate cut
02/06/24 at 04:00 AMCMS proposes Medicare Advantage rate cutBecker's Payer Issues, by Rylee Wilson; 1/31/24CMS proposed a slight decrease in Medicare Advantage benchmark payments for 2025. The agency issued its proposed 2025 rate notice Jan. 31, cutting benchmark payments by 0.2% on average. Risk model revision will amount to a 2.45% decline in revenue, according to a fact sheet issued by the agency. Plans should expect to see 3.7% higher revenue overall, with an MA risk score trend of 3.86% — the average increase in risk adjustment payments year over year — offsetting risk model revisions and a projected decline in star rating bonuses.
Debate over psychedelic therapy returns to Missouri General Assembly
02/06/24 at 04:00 AMDebate over psychedelic therapy returns to Missouri General AssemblyMissouri Independent, by Rebecca Rivas; 1/30/24Republican lawmakers are once again pushing legislation that would require Missouri to conduct a clinical study on using psilocybin, more commonly referred to as “magic mushrooms,” to treat depression, substance use or as part end-of-life care.
3 Reasons Continuous Home Care utilization is falling
02/06/24 at 04:00 AM3 Reasons Continuous Home Care utilization is fallingHospice News, by Jim Parker; 2/2/24Utilization continuous home care has dropped precipitously during the past decade, with labor pressures, regulatory scrutiny and billing challenges as contributing factors. Continuous home care (CHC) represented 0.9% of hospice care days during 2022, according to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO). This is down from 1.8% in 2013.Notible mentions: Sarah Simmons and Patrick Harrison, NHPCO.