Literature Review

Subcutaneous patient-controlled analgesia in home-based palliative care: "It's as straightforward as pushing a button, right at my fingertips" J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother, by Miguel Julião, Patrícia Calaveiras, Eduardo Bruera, Paulo Faria de Sousa; 2/26/24Subcutaneous patient-controlled analgesia (SCPCA) in home-based palliative care is a potentially valuable option for providing effective pain relief to some patients, particularly when conventional analgesic approaches prove ineffective or are refused.

The future of end-of-life care: How advanced directives are revolutionizing patient autonomyBNN, by Mazhar Abbas; 2/23/24Discover hos advanced directives leverage AI, telemedicine, and patient-centered care to empower individuals in making informed end-of-life healthcare decisions, overcoming challenges, and shaping the future of healthcare.

Chapters Health System CEO on prioritizing value-based care initiatives in the home Home Health Care News, by Andrew Donlan; 2/26/24Andrew Molosky, the president and CEO of Chapters Health System, is keenly aware of the struggles that coincide with turning a large health care provider organization into a value-based one. The first priority in that situation, in his mind, is making sure that the entire organization is on the same page in terms of what value-based care really means, he told Home Health Care News ... “You want to get to the point where you can manage populations in the home,” Molosky said. “That becomes a parlay to reducing ER spend in a full-risk environment. It becomes earlier intervention for a hospice or home health episode. 

Proposed legislation would create tax credits for family caregiversHospice News, by Jim Parker; 2/23/24A bill to strengthen support for family caregivers is working its way through Congress. If enacted, it would create tax credits to help offset the financial burdens of caring for the seriously ill. ... The nation’s health care system is lacking in support for caregivers of the terminally ill, who are often left with a heavy financial and logistical burden. Without assistance or relief, these difficulties can impede access to hospice and other types of home-based care.

Hospice of Southern West Virginia receives grant WVNS Bluefield, WV; by Ashley Davidson; 2/26/24The Hospice of Southern West Virginia received a grant from the Beckley Area Foundation. The grant totals $33,962.15. “We’ve had numerous awards from them over the years that allow us to grow and achieve… It allows us to innovate and advance and all in the names of service to our patients and their families,” said Jeri Knowlton, Director of Public Relations for HOSWV.

[Maryland] Medical aid-in-dying bill short on votes, unlikely to pass Senate committeeMaryland Matters, by Danielle J. Brown; 2/26/24A controversial bill for medical aid-in-dying, which would allow qualifying terminally-ill patients to prompt their own death with the help of a physician, will likely be stalled for a least another year, as some senators “continue to wrestle” with the issue, Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee Chair Will Smith (D-Montgomery) said Monday night.

4 key trends for hospices to watch in 2024 Hospice News, by Jim Parker; 2/26/24Hospice operators in 2024 are navigating a rapidly transforming environment. Four key trends hospices should watch this year:

Hospice gardens bloom thanks to planting efforts from schoolchildrenDorset Echo, by Katie Heyes; 2/25/24Patients at an end-of-life care hospice got to see the early blooming of flowers planted by Dorset students last autumn. In September last year, students from Beaminster School, St Osmund's C of E Middle School, and Thomas Hardye School gathered to plant bulbs on Weldmar Hospicecare's Inpatient Unit gardens at the site in Dorchester.

PERSPECTIVE: Nurses, too, must do no harmColorado Springs Gazette, by Kathryn Palermo; 2/25/24Two decades ago, our family faced an experience that would forever shape my perspective on life, choices, and the importance of time in making profound decisions. ... Reflecting on this experience, I cannot help but draw parallels to the potential consequences of the changes proposed by the Legislature to expand physician-assisted death. In our case, time was a crucial factor in making informed decisions that preserved life and allowed for unexpected recovery. As a nursing professional and a family member who experienced a life-altering event, I am opposed to the newly introduced “Medical Aid-in-Dying” bill in the Colorado Senate, SB24-0068, expanding physician-assisted suicide.Editor's Note: The views expressed are those of the author. Hospice & Palliative Care Today seeks to present articles of highest integrity and quality information, especially when reporting on controversial issues. This author presents these expertly from her perspective. While this author defines "the" Christian perspective, this editor supports that hospice and palliative care leaders and patients/families embrace a broader scope of religious beliefs, both within Christianity and inclusive of non-Christian faith systems. Whatever the reader's perspective, this editor invites you to read this insightful article with an open mind of respect, learning, and ethical dialogue.Publisher's note: On 1/31/24, Hospice & Palliative Care Today ran a Denver Post article announcing and supporting SB24-0068. Today's article from the Colorado Springs Gazette opposes this bill.

'An attack on the entire sector': Fallout from Change Healthcare hack continues Becker's Health IT, by Giles Bruce; 2/26/24 Change Healthcare said Feb. 26 that it expects the cybersecurity incident that has disrupted its payment and pharmacy processing operations to last at least through the day. The Optum subsidiary has been dealing with the issue since Feb. 21, reporting that it disconnected its systems so its partners, which include thousands of hospitals, didn't have to. The company said it suspects a nation-state was behind the attack.

'Goes beyond words': UNC Health incorporates music in health careThe Daily Tar Heel, by Akash Bhowmik; 2/25/24At UNC Health, music is a space for emotional and physical support and remains an important strategy for improving and humanizing patient care during times of crisis, music therapists Maryrose Nelson and Joyu Lee said. ... [Music therapists at UNC Health] help achieve clinical therapeutic goals – including treating pain and physiological injuries, promoting mental health outcomes and providing end-of-life care. Therapies are managed by licensed professionals who have graduated with a degree in music therapy, completed an internship experience and passed a national exam supervised by the Certification Board for Music Therapists. 

Be kind to yourself and others. We're all walking our own unique path. - Sheryl Lee Ralph