Literature Review

Increasing longevity, decreasing health quality: A close look at American health trendsBNN, by Ayesha Mumtaz; 1/16/24Recent data paints a concerning picture of Americans’ health despite an increase in longevity. While people are living longer, the quality of their health during these extended years is deteriorating. 

Graham Healthcare Group receives top workplaces for 2023

America's health system isn't ready for the surge of seniors with disabilitiesCalifornia Healthline, by Judith Graham; 1/17/24The number of older adults with disabilities — difficulty with walking, seeing, hearing, memory, cognition, or performing daily tasks such as bathing or using the bathroom — will soar in the decades ahead, as baby boomers enter their 70s, 80s, and 90s.

Coming to terms: Female veterans' experience of serious illnessJournal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, by Brandon M. Varilek and Mary J. Isaacson; 1/16/24Female veteran populations are growing internationally and are more likely than men to develop certain serious illnesses, including some cancers. ... This study reports the qualitative findings from a multimethod study using qualitative inquiry to explore female veterans' experiences of living with a serious illness. 

What we're reading - The Digtal Mindset: What it really takes to thrive in the age of data, algorithms, and AIBy Paul Leonardi and Tsedal Neeley, 2022.The digital revolution is here, changing how work gets done, how industries are structured, and how people from all walks of life work, behave, and relate to each other. To thrive in a world driven by data and powered by algorithms, we must learn to see, think, and act in new ways. We need to develop a digital mindset.

Palliative telecare improves quality of life for those with chronic illnesses, and results last for months: StudyMedical Xpress, by CU Anschutz Medical Campus; 1/16/24Researchers from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have found that a team intervention, provided by phone, leads to persistent improvements in depression, anxiety, and quality of life for people managing chronic illnesses. Additionally, researchers found that the improvement in quality of life results last months after intervention concludes.

Mount Carmel Health System and Anthem announce multi-year contract with enhanced value-based health care and improved data connectivityPress release; 1/11/24COLUMBUS, OHIO — January 11, 2024 — Mount Carmel Health System and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield announced today a new, multi-year provider network agreement. The agreement secures long-term access to affordable health care for Mount Carmel patients covered by Anthem Medicare, Medicaid, and employer-sponsored health plans. As part of the agreement, the two organizations will accelerate their collaboration on several innovative initiatives, including advance data connectivity and value-based care (VBC) models designed to improve health outcomes and better control costs for care for Mount Carmel patients covered by Anthem health plans.Notable mentions: Lorraine Lutton, Mount Carmel President & CEO.

Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce to celebrate regional business excellenceSanta Barbara Independent; 1/11/24Community Business of the Year – VNA Health. As the only certified nonprofit home healthcare and hospice agency in the region, VNA Health has been caring for the Santa Barbara community with a deep sense of dedication and excellence. Their services, ranging from skilled nursing and rehabilitation therapies to hospice and palliative care, have been pivotal in enhancing the quality of life for countless individuals and families.

Hospital study on AI identifies undiagnosed dementia patients coming from LTCMcKnights Senior Living, by Aaron Dorman; 1/16/24A high number of senior living and care residents have dementia on admission, or develop it during their stay, despite never receiving a formal diagnosis. When these “secret” dementia patients, however, have an emergency – say, a fall – and are hospitalized, they can catch the new care team unaware and struggling to make appropriate clinical decisions. To avoid this pitfall, new research is looking at electronic health records to flag individuals who might have dementia, possibly undiagnosed, so that when they arrive at a hospital, the care team is ready. 

Longfield Hospice collects more than 3,000 Christmas treesBBC News, West of England, by Rhiannon Yhnell; 1/15/24For a voluntary donation, people around Gloucestershire have had their trees taken away by volunteers from Longfield Community Hospice in Minchinhampton. Every year trees are taken to recycling sites where they are turned into a multi-purpose mulch. So far more than 3,000 trees have been collected in four days. ... [The amount of money is] a bit of secret at the moment but we've raised more [than last year's] just under £50,000 ... for hospice care. [Approximately $63,000 in US dollars]

Microsoft seeking chief medical officerBecker's Health IT, by Naomi Diaz; 1/16/24Publisher note: No article here, but the idea of MS seeking a CMO is intriguing...

Man with cancer once wanted assisted suicide, but was glad he chose natural death insteadLive Action, by Cassy Fiano-Chesser; 1/15/24“In our last moments, when he was awake, I sat on his bed and sang to him — Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides Now. He had watched her sing it at the Isle of Wight pop festival and it was a magical memory he had relived with us.

Walla Walla Valley uncorks history, hosts first Hospice du Rhône eventUnion-Bulletin, by Hannah McIntyre; 1/13/24Walla Walla Valley, home to 135 wineries, will host the Hospice du Rhône for the first time in the Pacific Northwest. Starting Wednesday, April 24, and running through Saturday, April 27, is a celebration of the Valley's Rhône-style grape varietals that thrive both in the soil of the Rocks District and the Walla Walla Valley AVA.