Literature Review
Primary author characteristics associated with publication in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
02/10/24 at 03:40 AMPrimary author characteristics associated with publication in the Journal of Pain and Symptom ManagementJournal of Pain and Symptom Management, by Maurice C Scott, Katherine T Morrison, Riley Gillette, Ben Harnke, Jean S Kutner, Kathryn L Colborn; 2/24Scientific journals are the primary source for dissemination of research findings, and this process relies on rigorous editorial and peer-review. As part of continuing efforts by the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management (JPSM) to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion, JPSM's leadership requested an external evaluation of their publication decisions.Publisher's note: Please also see the accompaning "Evaluating equity in the Journal of Pain & Symptom Management's editorial processes" by David J Casarett, Vyjeyanthi Periyakoil, David Hui, Solomon Liao. I applaud JPSM for both undertaking this external review and reporting outcomes.
Participant safety in multisite, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials in hospice/palliative care: Data from the contracted studies of the Australian National Palliative Care Clinical Studies Collaborative
02/10/24 at 03:35 AMParticipant safety in multisite, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials in hospice/palliative care: Data from the contracted studies of the Australian National Palliative Care Clinical Studies CollaborativeJournal of Palliative Medicine, by David C. Currow, Belinda Fazekas, Linda Brown, Slavica Kochovska, Katherine Clark, Meera R. Agar; 1/24Controversies surround conduct of phase III clinical trials in palliative care... These studies are safe for participants and generate knowledge to support informed patient decision making.
Advancing the science of palliative care: Contributions of the Palliative Care Research Cooperative Group
02/10/24 at 03:30 AMAdvancing the science of palliative care: Contributions of the Palliative Care Research Cooperative GroupJournal of Palliative Medicine, by Jean S Kutner, Kathryn I Pollak, Karen A Kehl, Christine S Ritchie; 2/24The Palliative Care Research Cooperative Group (PCRC) formed to lead, catalyze, and empower a community of scientists to build an evidence base to ensure high-quality care and optimal well-being for persons with serious illness and their caregivers. The PCRC grew to 630 members representing 220 distinct sites... The PCRC filled an important void in serious illness science and set the stage for the next era of advancing serious illness research.
A comparison of hospice care utilization between rural and urban children in Appalachia: A geographic information systems analysis
02/10/24 at 03:25 AMA comparison of hospice care utilization between rural and urban children in Appalachia: A geographic information systems analysisAmerican Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care, by Radion Svynarenko, Guoping Huang, Jessica Keim-Malpass, Melanie J Cozad, Kerri A Qualls, Whitney Stone Sharp, Deb A Kirkland, Lisa C Lindley; 3/24Long driving times from hospice providers to patients lead to poor quality of care, which may exacerbate in rural and highly isolated areas of Appalachia. This study aimed to investigate geographic patterns of pediatric hospice care across Appalachia... State-level policies should be developed to reduce driving times from hospice providers.
Parent priorities in end-of-life care for children with cancer
02/10/24 at 03:20 AMParent priorities in end-of-life care for children with cancerJAMA Network, by Prasanna Ananth, MD, MPH; Meghan Lindsay, MPH; Sophia Mun, MPH; Sarah McCollum, MPH; Veronika Shabanova, PhD; Sophia de Oliveira; Sarah Pitafi, BA; Rebecca Kirch, JD; Xiaomei Ma, PhD; Cary P. Gross, MD; Jackelyn Y. Boyden, PhD, MPH, RN; Chris Feudtner, MD, PhD, MPH; Joanne Wolfe, MD, MPH; 5/15/23Question What do parents who lost a child to cancer prioritize in measuring end-of-life care quality? Findings In this survey study of 61 bereaved parents, respondents prioritized end-of-life quality measures focused on symptom management and goal-concordant care, characterizing quality measures assessing their own psychosocial support and their child’s hospital resource use as substantially less important.
Hospice capacity to provide General Inpatient Care: Emergency Department utilization and live discharge among cancer patients
02/10/24 at 03:15 AMHospice capacity to provide General Inpatient Care: Emergency Department utilization and live discharge among cancer patientsAmerican Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care, by Kyusuk Chung, M Courtney Hughes, Sara Rahmanian Koushkaki, Mia Richelle Risberg, Michelle Alcantara, Jennifer M Amico; 1/24Our results suggest that hospices capable of providing GIP care have lower live discharge rates than their counterparts. However, the fact that GIP care tends to be provided too close to death limits its effectiveness in preventing avoidable emergency department use.
Live discharge of hospice patients with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias: A systematic review
02/10/24 at 03:10 AMLive discharge of hospice patients with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias: A systematic reviewAmerican Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, by Stephanie P Wladkowski, PhD, LMSW, APHSW-C; Cara L Wallace, PhD, LMSW, APHSW-C; Kathryn Coccia, MM, MT-BC; Rebecca C Hyde, MLIS; Leslie Hinyard, PhD, MSW; Karla T Washington, PhD, LCSW; 2/24This systematic review summarizes the growing body of evidence on live discharge among hospice patients with Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias (ADRD), a clinical subpopulation that disproportionately experiences this often burdensome care transition.
Hospice care experiences among Medicare decedents with and without COVID-19, 2020–2021
02/10/24 at 03:05 AMHospice care experiences among Medicare decedents with and without COVID-19, 2020–2021Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, by Ann Haas MS, MPH; Rebecca Anhang Price PhD; Marc N. Elliott PhD; Joan M. Teno MD, MS; Maria DeYoreo PhD; 2/24COVID-19, the third leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2020–2021, affected hospice care for all patients and their caregivers in many ways; patients with COVID-19 faced additional restrictions on visitations as well as direct effects of the disease. Using CAHPS Hospice Survey data from 3274 hospices nationally, we found that caregivers of Medicare decedents without COVID-19 diagnoses in 2020–2021 reported slightly worse hospice care experiences than caregivers prior to the pandemic. However, experiences for decedents with COVID-19 early in the pandemic (Quarters 2–4 of 2020) were 3.2 to 4.3 points lower than for decedents without COVID-19; these are medium-to-large differences, and larger than observed among any of the 20 most common primary diagnosis groups for the 2 overall assessments of care.
Saturday Newsletters
02/10/24 at 03:00 AMSaturday NewslettersResearch literature is the focus of Saturday newsletters - enjoy!
Today's Encouragement - from Terry Crews
02/10/24 at 03:00 AMBe fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire. - Terry Crews
Hospice & Palliative Care Handbook, Fourth Edition: Quality, Compliance, and Reimbursement; 4th Edition
02/10/24 at 03:00 AMHospice & Palliative Care Handbook, Fourth Edition: Quality, Compliance, and Reimbursement; 4th EditionAmerican Medical Association, by Tina M. Marrelli, with Jennifer Kennedy; 2023[This book] offers updated coverage of all aspects of hospice and palliative care for the entire healthcare team who provide important care while meeting difficult multilevel regulations. This edition includes examples and strategies covering key topics related to standards, guidelines, goals, and effective care planning.
Other Business Headlines of Interest, updated 2/8/24 per nasdaq.com
02/09/24 at 04:00 AMOther Business Headlines of Interest, updated 2/8/24 per nasdaq.com
Medicare threatens to pull funding from HCA’s embattled Mission Hospital
02/09/24 at 04:00 AMMedicare threatens to pull funding from HCA’s embattled Mission HospitalSTAT, by Tara Bannow; 2/6/24Five years after investor-owned HCA Healthcare took over an esteemed nonprofit hospital in North Carolina, Medicare is threatening to cut off payment for any services it provides seniors. The rare and dramatic move follows a Medicare revelation that patient safety is in “immediate jeopardy” at Mission Hospital in Asheville. That designation is the most severe the agency can hand out. HCA has just a few weeks to fix the problems or lose its Medicare funding.
From “high potential for abuse” to “accepted medical use”: Tracking developments and possible outcomes of federal cannabis rescheduling in the U.S.
02/09/24 at 03:00 AMFrom “high potential for abuse” to “accepted medical use”: Tracking developments and possible outcomes of federal cannabis rescheduling in the U.S.JD Supra, by Jean Smith-Gonnell and Cole White; 2/7/24Whether you believe that cannabis legalization has occurred too quickly or too slowly, one thing is certain: recent developments herald a potentially seismic shift in federal cannabis policy in the U.S. ... This article aims to catch readers up on the latest developments in federal cannabis legalization.
Amedisys rolls out in-home testing to reduce hospitalizations
02/09/24 at 03:00 AMAmedisys rolls out in-home testing to reduce hospitalizationsModern Healthcare, by Diane Eastabrook; 2/8/24Home health provider Amedisys said Thursday it will begin offering in-home molecular testing to patients that will help quickly identify urine, respiratory and wound infection pathogens.
Part 2, Latest updates from CMS Office of Minority Health: Advancing health equity in rural, tribal, and geographically isolated communities FY2023 year in review
02/09/24 at 03:00 AMPart 2, Latest updates from CMS Office of Minority Health: Advancing health equity in rural, tribal, and geographically isolated communities FY2023 year in review
New paths could allow medical aid in dying for people with dementia
02/09/24 at 03:00 AMNew paths could allow medical aid in dying for people with dementia McKnight's Long-Term Care News, by Kristen Fischer; 2/7/24A lot of people who have dementia want to use medical aid in dying (MAID) to end their lives before they lose their decision-making capacity and other abilities. This hasn’t been allowed up until now but that could soon change, which could have implications for physicians, according to a new report.
Concurrent Medicare hospice & curative care improves quality & reduces costs 13%
02/09/24 at 03:00 AMHospices & skilled nursing facilities: Report all managing employees
02/09/24 at 03:00 AMHospices & Skilled Nursing Facilities: Report All Managing EmployeesCMS: mlnconnects; 2/8/24CMS recently clarified that hospice and skilled nursing facility medical directors and administrators are always considered managing employees for Medicare provider enrollment purposes. You must report all current managing employees. If you haven’t reported a medical director or administrator, report them now. See the Medicare Program Integrity Manual: CY 2024 Home Health Prospective Payment System Updates (PDF) MLN Matters Article for more information.
Recent hospital, health system CEO moves
02/09/24 at 03:00 AMRecent hospital, health system CEO movesBecker's Hospital Review; 2/8/24Highlights CEO moves February 1-7, 2024
Delivering effective messages in the patient-clinician encounter
02/09/24 at 03:00 AMDelivering effective messages in the patient-clinician encounter JAMA, by Joseph N. Cappella, PhD and Richard L. Street Jr, PhD; 2/1/24Effective communication between patient and clinician is a core function of the medical encounter.In a survey of cancer survivors, communication breakdowns most often identified by respondents were failures of information exchange, both in information provided by the clinician (eg, too complex, not enough) and in missing information from the patient or failing to elicit it. ... [A] table provides specific examples of what clinicians can (and should not) do to accomplish [effective communication] goals.
85-year-old Arizona doctor arrested for allegedly aiding in New York suicide
02/09/24 at 03:00 AM85-year-old Arizona doctor arrested for allegedly aiding in New York suicideNBC4 New York, by Jonathan Dienst; 2/6/24An 85-year-old former doctor from Arizona is facing manslaughter charges for allegedly aiding in a suicide of a woman at a New York motel last year, according to authorities.
Study highlights financial burden of dementia on older adults, families
02/09/24 at 03:00 AMStudy highlights financial burden of dementia on older adults, familiesGeorgia State University - School of Public Health, by Sam Fahmy; 2/7/24A team of researchers from the Georgia State University School of Public Health, the University of Washington School of Pharmacy and the University of California San Francisco analyzed data from a national sample of more than 4,500 adults aged 70 and older to arrive at what are thought to be the first comparisons of out-of-pocket expenses by dementia status and care setting. The researchers found that the median adult with dementia in residential facilities such as assisted living centers spent 97% of their monthly income on long-term care. People with dementia in nursing homes spent nearly 83% of their monthly income on long-term care.
Senior living providers can tap into $25 million grant to develop dementia-specific respite services
02/09/24 at 03:00 AMSenior living providers can tap into $25 million grant to develop dementia-specific respite servicesMcKnights Senior Living, by Kimberly Bonvissuto; 2/7/24Senior living operators who provide, or are considering providing, respite services for family caregivers of people living with dementia can apply for a piece of $20 million in grant funding. The Alzheimer’s Association will use a $25 million, five-year grant award from the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living to establish a new Center for Dementia Respite Innovation tasked with making respite services and service providers more dementia-capable.