Literature Review

Year in review, one word, and an exciting announcement for 2024Teleios TCN Talks, by Chris Comeaux; 12/27/23In this TCNtalks podcast episode, host Chris Comeaux delves into a recap of the top podcasts of 2023, covering a diverse array of critical topics such as staffing challenges, Medicare Advantage, future trends, mental and emotional health, and reimagining the future of hospice and palliative care.

Too Few Cancer Patients Get Palliative Care When Urinary Blockages AriseHealthDay News; 12/28/23The prognosis is poor for many cancer patients who develop serious urinary blockages, but researchers say less than half receive palliative care. ... Hospice care can make patients comfortable and head off aggressive treatments for patients with malignant ureteral obstruction (MUO) who are nearing the end of life, said lead researcher Dr. Michael Felice, of Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Ill.

Joint Commission updates suicide as sentinel event policyBecker's Behavioral Health, by Rylee Wilson, 12/15/23The Joint Commission is expanding its definition of suicide as a sentinel event.

Lane County home care and hospice workers authorize strike, but hold out hope for future negotiationsKEZI-TV (Eugene, OR); 12/29/23Springfield, OR—PeaceHealth home and hospice care nurses represented by the Oregon Nurses Association voted this week to authorize a strike, but one will not be called immediately. Jo Turner, a hospice nurse and member of ONA’s executive committee at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Home Care Services, said at a press conference on Friday that a “significant majority” of nurses voted between December 27 and 28 to authorize the strike, but a decision to go on strike is not one that is taken lightly. “We are not calling for a strike—yet,” she said.

Hodge PodgeKDLM-AM (Detroit Lakes, MN); 12/28/23Connie DeKrey, grief specialist for Hospice of the Red River Valley, talks about how to move on after a loss, but stressed that everyone deals with loss differently. “New Years has its own set of emotions that are prompted. For instance, families have gathered from a distance, and traveled, and there’s a real anticipation of that. But at some point everyone has to go home again and so that extra support and connection ... it can be a real letdown when everyone has to go back to their own homes. There can be some hesitancy, even dread, about beginning the new year without that loved one. But there might also be a sense of hope or expectancy of something positive.”[Editor’s Note: To listen to the 7-minute interview, click here.]

Top 5 ‘Hidden Gem’ Palliative Care News Stories from 2023Hospice News, by Holly Vossel, 12/18/23

Health IT Trends for 2024: Innovations, Challenges, and ImplicationsMedriva / Digital Health, by Dr. Jessica Nelson; 12/19/23The upcoming changes are set to revolutionize healthcare, making it more efficient, accessible, and personalized. These trends underscore the importance of healthcare professionals and organizations staying informed and prepared.

The experience of Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter helps widen the perception of hospiceBy Heath BartnessTwin Cities Pioneer PressDecember 28, 2023In 2023 the public benefited from the willingness of President Jimmy Carter and his family to openly share their health updates. Hospice care has gotten a renewed focus, and the Carters’ end-of-life journey is illuminating a complicated story of hospice use in the United States. Different sides of the same coin, the hospice experiences of President and Mrs. Carter are kindling a much-needed conversation around this underused service. ... Barriers to hospice care are not so much financial or geographical. In many ways, the greatest barrier to hospice is emotional. 

1 million Corewell Health patients could be impacted by second data breachAnn Arbor (MI) NewsDecember 26, 2023Grand Rapids, MI—About one million Corewell Health patients in southeast Michigan may have had their personal and medical information exposed in yet another nationwide data breach. ... It comes less than a month after a data breach of another Corewell Health vendor that also is believed to have exposed similar personal and medical information of about one million patients serviced by the health system in southeast Michigan. 

How broadband expansion is bolstering rural healthcareModern HealthcareDecember 26, 2023Health systems have emerged as crucial collaborators in government efforts to improve access to high-speed internet in rural communities. Nearly 30 million people in the U.S. live in places that lack broadband infrastructure, according to the Commerce Department. 

America has a life expectancy crisis. But it’s not a political priority.Washington PostDecember 28, 2023The commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration had an urgent message last winter for his colleagues, brandishing data that life expectancy in the United States had fallen again—the biggest two-year decline in a century. Robert Califf’s warning, summarized by three people with knowledge of the conversations, boiled down to this: Americans’ life expectancy is going the wrong way. 

Bank Employees Go Above and Beyond—Donations Exceed $100,000 in 2023PRNewswireDecember 28, 2023Lake City, FL—First Federal Bank is pleased to announce the success of its 2023 First Federal Way campaign, which received contributions of $50,430 from employees. With the bank’s match, a total of $100,900 is being donated to local non-profit agencies who make a significant difference in their communities. 

New residential end-of-life facility opens in central Pa.Patriot-News (Harrisburg, PA)December 26, 2023Chambersburg, PA—Mercy House of Chambersburg has opened at 730 Norland Ave. in Chambersburg. Mercy House was formed last year and partners with local hospice agencies in providing care for those who need 24-hour assistance and who are unable to remain at home.