Literature Review
All posts tagged with “Hospice Provider News | Operations News | Challenges.”
The silent crisis of Gen AI anxiety in the workplace
10/31/25 at 03:00 AMThe silent crisis of Gen AI anxiety in the workplace HR Perspectives; by Dr. Gleb Tsipursky; 10/27/25 The conversation about generative AI (Gen AI) is unavoidable in today’s business landscape. It’s disruptive, transformative, and packed with potential—both thrilling and intimidating. As organizations adopt Gen AI to streamline operations, develop products, or enhance customer interactions, the inevitable side effect among employees is anxiety. Will jobs vanish? Will expectations shift overnight? Can they keep up with the learning curve? These questions aren’t just whispers in the break room; they’re front and center for many teams.
Kalos Health shutters amid Medicaid changes
10/31/25 at 03:00 AMKalos Health shutters amid Medicaid changes Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 10/29/25 Kalos Health Inc. is closing amid changes to Medicaid reimbursement. The change could challenge access to home-based services for chronically ill adults in western New York. The nonprofit provided health insurance coverage across six counties in New York through a Medicaid managed long-term care (MLTC) plan. Since 2014, the plan has coordinated with regional health care providers to serve adults with chronic illness and health disabilities. Kalos Health is part of The Hospice and Palliative Care Group (HPCG), an organization that provides administrative services. Other providers in the group include Niagara Hospice, Liberty Home Care, Hospice of Orleans and The Niagara Hospice Alliance.
Learning to love fax again, courtesy of AI
10/31/25 at 03:00 AMLearning to love fax again, courtesy of AI Forbes - Innovation; by Jeffrey Sullivan; 10/29/25 ... While other industries have moved on to less secure email and messaging platforms, fax still reigns supreme in healthcare. In fact, a majority of healthcare organizations still lean on fax as a primary source of communication, according to a recent survey ... The problem is that while fax is still healthcare’s go-to for sending and receiving information, many organizations haven’t updated their fax processes to adapt to current healthcare workflows that prioritize digital tools like EMRs and patient portals over traditional paper-centric practices.
10 smart questions to ask before hiring an IT services company
10/30/25 at 03:00 AM10 smart questions to ask before hiring an IT services company DesignRush; by Sergio Oliveira; 10/28/25 A first-hand guide for CEOs on how to vet IT vendors, avoid scope traps, and ensure accountability beyond the pitch. ... Every IT partner looks capable during a pitch — that’s their job. The challenge is separating an agency's confidence from day-to-day reality. I’ve learned that asking the right questions early is the only way to find out how potential agencies will handle change, protect uptime, and keep you in control of your own data.
New Joint Commission Guidance on the use of Artificial Intelligence in healthcare
10/30/25 at 03:00 AMNew Joint Commission Guidance on the use of Artificial Intelligence in healthcare The National Law Review; by Paul R. DeMuro, PhD, Brandon K. von Kriegelstein, Taylor M. Stilwell Katten; 10/28/25 On September 17, 2025, the Joint Commission, in collaboration with the Coalition for Health AI (“CHAI”), issued its first high-level framework on the responsible use of artificial intelligence (“AI”) in healthcare. The Guidance on the Responsible Use of AI in Healthcare (“Guidance”) is intended to help hospitals and health systems responsibly deploy, govern, and monitor AI tools across organizations. The goal of the Guidance is to help “…the industry align elements that enhance patient safety by reducing risks associated with AI error and improving administrative, operational, and patient outcomes by leveraging AI’s potential.” ... The seven core elements articulated by the Guidance are:
Strategies for managing rising healthcare premiums with Jason Bradshaw
10/30/25 at 02:00 AMStrategies for managing rising healthcare premiums with Jason Bradshaw Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast hosted by Chris Comeaux with Jason Bradshaw; 10/29/25 In this episode of TCNtalks, host Chris Comeaux welcomes back Jason Bradshaw, a seasoned benefits consultant with USI Insurance Services. Together, they unpack why healthcare premiums are rising, where volatility is coming from, and how employers can regain control without gutting benefits. Jason shares practical funding models, transparency tools, and a playbook for building a cost culture that actually moves behavior.
AHA responds to OSTP request on AI policies for health care
10/29/25 at 03:00 AMAHA responds to OSTP request on AI policies for health care American Hospital Association; by Ashley Thompson, AHA Senior Vice President, Public Policy Analysis and Development; 10/27/25 ... On behalf of our nearly 5,000 member hospitals, health systems and other health care organizations, our clinician partners — including more than 270,000 affiliated physicians, 2 million nurses and other caregivers — and the 43,000 health care leaders who belong to our professional membership groups, the American Hospital Association (AHA) appreciates the opportunity to provide comment on the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) request for information (RFI) regarding regulatory reform on artificial intelligence (AI). ... [Our] members have urged that policy frameworks strike the appropriate balance of flexibility to enable innovation while ensuring patient safety. The AHA offers four categories of recommendations to maximize the potential for AI to improve care, accelerate innovation and support the health care workforce.
Hospice market expands at 9.6% CAGR, projected to hit USD 182.1 billion
10/28/25 at 02:00 AMHospice market expands at 9.6% CAGR, projected to hit USD 182.1 billion Market.Us Media; by Trishita Deb; 10/26/25 The Global Hospice Market is projected to reach USD 182.1 billion by 2033, growing from USD 72.8 billion in 2023 at a CAGR of 9.6%. ... Challenges:
After her son’s painful death, a Cheshire mother highlights Connecticut’s pediatric hospice gap
10/28/25 at 02:00 AMAfter her son’s painful death, a Cheshire mother highlights Connecticut’s pediatric hospice gap New Haven Register, Norwalk, CT; by Cris Villalonga-Vivoni; 10/26/25 Carolyn Torello believes that no parent should outlive their children, yet that became her reality. ... As his condition worsened, the family faced his impending death without the support of pediatric palliative or hospice care. No provider, she said, seemed to know how to help or where to begin. He died at 15 years old in 2021. ... In 2020, an estimated 7,800 children in Connecticut were living with complex medical conditions that limited their life expectancy and could have benefited from palliative or hospice care, according to data from the National Survey of Children's Health. ... Torello thinks that if Michael had access to hospice care, he could have died with greater dignity, and their family could have focused on simply being together. ... Efforts to create a more formalized pediatric palliative care system have been underway since 2024, led by a state-commissioned working group that will make recommendations to the legislature on potential reforms.
Ames hospice center to close due to decline in patient numbers, rising costs
10/27/25 at 03:00 AMAmes hospice center to close due to decline in patient numbers, rising costs We Are Iowa, Des Moines, IA; by Caleb Geer;10/23/25 After more than 25 years of service in central Iowa, the Israel Family Hospice House is preparing to close its doors, according to Mary Greeley Medical Center. The decision will be effective on Dec. 31, 2025, pending approval by the hospital's Board of Trustees during their Oct. 28 meeting. "After careful consideration, and in light of a steady decline in patient numbers, increased competition from for-profit providers, insufficient reimbursements, and rising operational costs, we have made the difficult decision to close the hospice house," a post on the Mary Greeley Facebook account says in part. Reasons for the pending closure include declining patients, increased competition and increasing deficit, according to an FAQ document provided by the hospital.
Ensuring safe, effective transitions to hospice
10/27/25 at 03:00 AMEnsuring safe, effective transitions to hospice Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 10/22/25 Trust, coordination among staff and speedy processes are essential to hospice referral management. This is according to new research from Transcend Strategy Group. For the consulting firm’s most recent Insights Report it conducted in-depth interviews with hospice admissions and business development professionals to identify recurring themes, barriers and opportunities. ... “We have to remember that for the person calling this is probably one of the worst days of their life — if it’s a family member, or if they’re calling on behalf of themselves — and they need help urgently,” Tony Kudner, chief strategy officer for Transcend Strategy Group, told Hospice News.
Poverty, food insecurity, and housing instability among US health care workers
10/24/25 at 03:10 AMPoverty, food insecurity, and housing instability among US health care workersJAMA Network; by Anthony Zhong, Chloe Gao, Donald Szlosek, Dang Nguyen, Maelys J. Amat, Russell S. Phillips; 10/22/25The US health workforce faces projected shortages of more than 180 000 physicians and 200 000 registered nurses in the next decade. Burnout, poor working conditions, and inadequate wages have been cited as key drivers of these shortages. However, the prevalence of financial hardship can affect worker retention and job performance. This study evaluated rates of poverty, food insecurity, and housing instability among US health care workers... Rates of financial hardship varied by occupational group. Direct care/support workers reported the highest rates of financial hardship across all measures, including poverty (9.63%), food insecurity (24.50%), and housing instability (13.64%).Publisher's note: An interesting question - do we know these rates among hospice workers?
An age-old fear grows more common: ‘I’m going to die alone’
10/22/25 at 03:00 AMAn age-old fear grows more common: ‘I’m going to die alone’ Miami Herald; by Judith Graham, Kaiser Health News; 10/17/25 This summer, at dinner with her best friend, Jacki Barden raised an uncomfortable topic: the possibility that she might die alone. “I have no children, no husband, no siblings,” Barden remembered saying. “Who’s going to hold my hand while I die?” ... It’s something that many older adults who live alone — a growing population, more than 16 million strong in 2023 — wonder about. ... More than 15 million people 55 or older don’t have a spouse or biological children; nearly 2 million have no family members at all.
Bay County hospice facility Brian’s House temporarily closes its doors
10/20/25 at 03:00 AMBay County hospice facility Brian’s House temporarily closes its doors mlive.com, Hampton TWP, MI; by Joey Oliver; 10/17/25 Brian’s House Community Group, an end-of-life care facility, has announced its temporary closure after eight years of serving terminally ill patients and their families. The facility at 664 W. Nebobish Road has served more than 1,000 families since opening its doors in June 2017, according to a statement from the board officers and members. The organization cited financial challenges as the primary reason for the closure. ... The facility operated on a sliding scale fee structure that was significantly lower than assisted living residences and often provided free care to families with low or no income.
From mom-care to action: Identifying the crises in eldercare
10/17/25 at 03:20 AMFrom mom-care to action: Identifying the crises in eldercare Minnesota Women's Press; by Amy Gage; 10/15/25 “I didn’t set out to write a book,” author Judy Karofsky said. ... “My mom was my inspiration.” ... DisElderly Conduct: The Flawed Business of Assisted Living and Hospice (New Village Press, 2025) ... began as a notebook of jokes and one-liners that her mom would toss off during their time together. A one-time amateur comedienne, Lillian Deutsch “was an amazing personality,” Karofsky says. DisElderly Conduct walks readers through Karofsky’s journey through six assisted living facilities and eventual hospice care before her mother’s death in 2018. Several themes emerge in the well-researched book:
More than 45,000 Kaiser Permanente workers strike in 4 states
10/15/25 at 02:00 AMMore than 45,000 Kaiser Permanente workers strike in 4 states Modern Healthcare; by Hayley DeSilva; 10/14/25 An estimated 46,000 Kaiser Permanente staff members began a five-day strike Tuesday across multiple states over staffing, pay and benefit concerns. Employees on strike include registered nurses, lab professionals, pharmacists and other skilled healthcare workers from 23 different unions, a spokesperson for Kaiser Permanente said. The unions are part of the Alliance of Health Care Unions, which represents an estimated 62,000 Kaiser employees. ... "[They] are demanding significantly higher increases than our 21.5% offer,“ the Kaiser spokesperson said.
Ex-employee sued bankrupt SLO County hospice group 3 times. Here's why
10/14/25 at 03:00 AMEx-employee sued bankrupt SLO County hospice group 3 times. Here's whyMSN San Luis Obispo County, CA; 10/13/25 A former employee of Wilshire Health and Community Services filed three lawsuits against the organization in the past two years, accusing the now-bankrupt nonprofit of violating numerous labor laws including using unfair pay practices, gender-based discrimination and wrongful and retaliatory termination.
‘Lack of urgency’ a top cause of hospice admissions delays, industry consultants say
10/14/25 at 03:00 AM‘Lack of urgency’ a top cause of hospice admissions delays, industry consultants say McKnight Home Care; by Adam Healy; 10/9/25 Hospices’ delays in admitting patients can bog down operations and stifle growth. To avoid holdups, providers should act with urgency and prioritize outside-the-box thinking, industry consultants at Transcend Strategy Group recommended. ... Transcend Strategy Group recently released a new insights guide titled “Driving Sales and Admissions Success in Hospice Care.” The guide reveals hospice providers’ top reasons for admissions delays, the problems caused by these delays, and the strategies providers can use to clear bottlenecks. The insights guide noted that admissions delays are problematic for both providers and their clients. ... Hospices should get creative to solve admissions problems, Transcend’s experts agreed. Rather than look for a tool or technology to help speed up operations, look internally to identify practices that prevent care from being delivered, they said.
The Exec: Hamilton Medical Center CMO on incremental successes in change management
10/14/25 at 03:00 AMThe Exec: Hamilton Medical Center CMO on incremental successes in change management HealthLeaders; by Christopher Cheney; 10/13/25 In healthcare, attempts to make changes quickly at a grand scale are often unsuccessful, this CMO says. The primary element of success in change management is to pursue a strategy that emphasizes small and incremental changes, according to [Ricard Perez] the new CMO of Hamilton Medical Center in Dalton, Georgia. ... If you are going to be affecting people's daily work lives, your best bet for success is to make sure that those people have some representation at the table," Perez says. "Once you have stakeholders at the table, they can become advocates and catalysts for change because they will have an intricate understanding of why change needs to happen."
New AI tools target providers looking to succeed in TEAM demo
10/14/25 at 03:00 AMNew AI tools target providers looking to succeed in TEAM demo Modern Healthcare; by Diane Eastabrook; 10/10/25 Key Takeaways
[Global] Top designs revealed in buildner’s Fourth Annual Hospice – Home for the Terminally Ill competition
10/14/25 at 03:00 AM[Global] Top designs revealed in buildner’s Fourth Annual Hospice – Home for the Terminally Ill competition ArchDaily; 10/13/25 Buildner has announced the results of its fourth annual Hospice - Home for the Terminally Ill international architecture ideas competition. This global call for ideas continues to explore how architecture can support end-of-life care with empathy, dignity, and contextual sensitivity. The competition invited architects and designers to move beyond clinical requirements and envision spaces that offer emotional warmth, social connection, and a profound sense of place. ... An international jury reviewed the submissions for their design clarity, emotional resonance, and architectural depth.
Care that never gives up - in honour of World Hospice & Palliative Care Day 2025
10/13/25 at 03:00 AMCare that never gives up - in honour of World Hospice & Palliative Care Day 2025 The Morung Express; by Dr. Victoria Seb, MBBS, PDGDM, FIPM; 10/10/25 Quoting the Father of Medicine, Hippocrates, himself : ‘To cure sometimes, to relieve often, to comfort always’, these timeless words echo deeply the realm of palliative care, reminding us that the heart of healthcare lies not only in curing disease but in easing suffering and preserving dignity. The World Hospice & Palliative Care Day 2025 theme “Achieving the Promise: Universal Access to Palliative Care” calls to action for communities, healthcare systems and policy makers to ensure that palliative care is not a privilege but a universal right – accessible to every person, everywhere. ... In an era marked by medical advancement and increased life expectancy, the demand for holistic, compassionate care at the end of life has never been greater. Yet, despite its proven benefits, access to palliative care remains limited worldwide. The need for palliative care is urgent and growing, especially as populations age and chronic diseases become more prevalent.
The 5 leadership skills that AI will never replace (and how you can harness them)
10/13/25 at 03:00 AMThe 5 leadership skills that AI will never replace (and how you can harness them) Fast Company; by Alexis Zahner; 10/3/25 Artificial Intelligence is here to stay. It’s reshaping industries, expediting innovation, and shifting how we work at unprecedented speed. For many leaders and employees alike, that reality sparks an uneasy question: if AI can do my work, where does that leave me? The answer lies not in competing with AI, but in doubling down on what makes us distinctly, and irreplaceably, human. ... Here are five leadership skills that AI will never replace, and how you can harness them to stay future-ready:
Seasons Hospice hosts commemoration as it closes hospice house, forges ahead with in-home care
10/13/25 at 03:00 AMSeasons Hospice hosts commemoration as it closes hospice house, forges ahead with in-home care KTTC, Rochester, MN; by Caitlin Alexander; 10/10/25 Local nonprofit organization Seasons Hospice hosted a somber but significant moment on Friday as it commemorated its hospice house. After more than 25 years, Seasons Hospice is closing the doors of the hospice house, as it now shifts its focus to serving patients and families with in-home hospice care. “I had a hard time at first accepting that and getting beyond it, but I did,” one of the founders, Sarah Oehlke, said. “I’m very grateful that you have sustained our quality-of-care standards for all of the years.” “We have together provided comfort, dignity and compassion to countless families during life’s most poignant moments,” Board President Dawn Beck said. ... Seasons Hospice previously spoke about a declining census at the hospice house, especially in recent years, noting the shift toward people wishing to spend their final days in their homes with loved ones.Editor's Note: This Seasons Hospice is in Rochester, Minnesota; not to be confused with other hospice organizations throughout the nation with "seasons" in its name. They gave their hospice house both a "good life" and "a good death." We draw attention to the shift they described "toward people wishing to spend their final days in their homes with loved ones," and will continue to be on the lookout for similar trends. To quote from an ancient poet, "To everything there is a season ..." We wish Seasons Hospice well through its continued transitions.
Conspiracy of verticals: Rethinking healthcare models with Peter Benjamin
10/10/25 at 03:00 AMConspiracy of verticals: Rethinking healthcare models with Peter Benjamin Teleios collaborative Network (TCN); video/podcast hosted by Chris Comeaux with Peter Benjamin; 10/8/25 In this conversation, Peter Benjamin and Chris Comeaux discuss the impact of COVID-19 on mortality rates, particularly the concept of 'death pull forward' and its implications for Hospice Care. Peter highlights the significant role of assisted living facilities in Hospice days and explores macro trends in healthcare, emphasizing the shift from vertical to horizontal care models. The discussion also covers the evolution of Palliative Care, frail elderly practices, and institutional special needs plans (iSNPs), while stressing the importance of measuring quality of care, particularly in pain management.
