Literature Review

'We’re seeing these struggles.' Rainbow works to support end-of-life caregivers Daily Jefferson County Union, Jefferson, WI; by Hannah Brock; 2/10/25 Rainbow Community Care is facing a growing need in Dodge and Jefferson counties: the overwhelming burden placed on caregivers, both family members and healthcare workers, as they navigate end-of-life care. “There’s this need in the community to support caregivers, where whoever they are,” said Carol Brown, president and CEO of Rainbow Community Care. The backbone of the healthcare system isn’t just hospitals or insurance plans—it’s the unpaid, often invisible labor of family caregivers. ... The newest initiative, the respite care program, is being designed to give caregivers much-needed breaks. Many family caregivers go months—or even years—without a full night’s rest, a doctor’s visit for themselves, or even an afternoon off, according to Rainbow Community Care. To help address this, Rainbow Community Care secured the necessary funding for the program. 

4 phrases successful leaders intentionally use to motivate their teams Forbes; by Dr. Cheryl Robinson; 2/1/25 ... Great leaders understand that their words can shape company culture, influence behavior and impact employee engagement; it’s about delivering messages with clarity and intent. The tone, phrasing and timing of communication can energize a team or deflate morale. A well-placed word of encouragement can spark motivation, while careless criticism can hinder progress. Whether providing constructive feedback or navigating tough conversations, leaders who speak with intention create a culture where employees feel valued and driven to contribute their best. ... 4 Phrases Successful Leaders Use:

4 critical mistakes to avoid during your workday project Becker's Hospital Review; In collaboration with Healthcare IT Leaders; 2/3/25 The success of a Workday implementation doesn’t just hinge on technology but on people. According to recent research, up to 80% of digital transformation initiatives fail. ... For organizations looking to avoid these pitfalls, here are four critical staffing mistakes to avoid as outlined in our Workday Resource Planning & Staffing Guide:

'It's not about technology or dashboards': What health systems need from IT execs next Becker's Health IT; by Laura Dyrda; 2/4/25 Health system IT leaders are entering a new era of leadership amid transformational technology platform purchases, artificial intelligence integration and cybersecurity advancements. But being the most technically proficient no longer guarantees leaders the top role. ... Healthcare IT leaders can become distracted by the bells and whistles of new technology and move forward without considering the patient experience. ... Staying close to the health system's mission is critical for IT leaders, and [Christopher Hutchins, senior vice president and chief data and analytics officer at Lifepoint Health] ties the technology back to patient care. He prioritizes his teammates and colleagues, listening carefully to what they need. Notable mentions: James Forrester, Chief Technology Officer at University of Rochester (NY) Medical Center; Donna Roach, CIO of University of Utah Health; and Christopher Hutchins, senior vice president and chief data and analytics officer at Lifepoint Health 

Too much, too fast: Constant change creating corporate burnout Global Finance; by Bill HInchberger; 2/4/25 Change fatigue can strain employees and organizations, and it is getting worse. To reduce the harm, companies are turning to more thoughtful, gradual strategies. ... Hardly a fad pushed by human resources, the phenomenon known as “change fatigue” can affect the bottom line through workforce churn, reduced ability of workers to adapt to further change, and lower productivity. ... Whether adopting new technologies or reacting to external change, many if not most companies appear to be in a constant state of flux. Over 75% of corporations revamp their business model every two to five years, according to a study by WalkMe, a San Franciso-based software-as-a-service firm... Major initiatives tend to favor faster speed and larger scope. Yet there are signs that more gradual solutions might be more effective and less traumatic.

Organic growth top of mind for hospice providers in 2025Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 1/31/25 Hospices in 2025 are laser-focused on organic growth rather than other tactics like acquisitions. Among 112 hospice professionals who responded to the 2024 Outlook Survey by Hospice News and Homecare Homebase, 60% said that expanding current locations would be the growth tactic they plan to use the most during 2025. About 64% of the respondents were c-suite leaders, VPs and directors. “Organic growth remains a top priority for providers, with 60% of respondents focusing on expanding within their existing locations,” the survey report indicated. “Referrals from senior living and assisted living facilities, hospital systems and palliative care programs are also expected to significantly drive growth.”

High reliability in action — a closer look at Unit-Based Quality Rounds Mass General Brigham; 1/7/25 ... “We’re creating a new process and I’m so proud of all of you because what you have accomplished so far has been amazing,” Nursing Director Vivian Donahue, RN, said at the opening of the huddle with just over 20 physicians, nurses, advance practice providers (APPs), unit staff and hospital and system senior leaders in attendance, including Thor Sundt, MD, chief of Cardiac Surgery for Mass General Brigham. ... At the unit’s first huddle in October, a conversation about the availability of hospice care generated a new referral process that connects patients receiving end-of-life care and their families to hospice services and ongoing emotional support for those coping with the passing of a loved one. At the Dec. 11 huddle, Donahue reported that the unit had provided this welcome, deeply appreciated additional support to five patients and their families.

‘Small but significant’ keys to amplifying hospice grief support Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 1/29/25 Grief support service lines can be an important pathway for hospices to reach communities outside of their patient populations. Building strong bereavement programs comes with myriad considerations around community outreach, collaboration development and strategic planning. ... Similar to many hospices nationwide, Angela Hospice offers bereavement services to its hospice patient families and across communities throughout its service region. The hospice provider’s bereavement program includes one-on-one counseling sessions, group therapy, as well as education and informative online and in-person workshops. Angela Hospice additionally offers an annual summer grief camp for children, Camp Monarch. Editor's note: The CMS Hospice Conditions of Participation (CoPs) require each hospice to provide bereavement/grief support patients' families, both before the death and after. The CMS Hospice CoPs identify "bereavement" and/or "grief" 155 times. 

The tech shaping healthcare in 2025, per 61 leaders Becker's Health IT; by Naomi Diaz; 1/28/25 Healthcare leaders told Becker's that emerging technologies such as ambient listening, AI-driven automation, and advanced remote patient monitoring are set to transform healthcare in 2025 by tackling workforce shortages and boosting operational efficiency. 

The Dorion Family Pediatric Center breaks ground in Mandarin Jacksonville Daily Record, Jacksonville, FL; by Dan Macdonald; 1/28/25 The hospice center is designed to expand care and convenience for children and their families. The Foundation of Community Hospice & Palliative Care broke ground Jan. 27 on the Dorion Family Pediatric Center, a pediatric hospice center in Mandarin. ... The space will allow for an expanded range of therapies and support services in a dedicated, pediatric-friendly setting. The facility will provide a centralized location that reduces travel time for the clinical team. Currently, caregivers travel to patients’ homes, the release said. ... The Dorion Family Pediatric Center is named in honor of the Dorion family, who are advocates for compassionate care. The family helped establish the organization. 

What can we learn from the dying? Newscastle's News Letter Journal (NLJ), Newcastle, WY; by Kelly Evans-Hullinger, MD; 1/26/25 For the last five years, I have had the great privilege of serving my local health system as Medical Director for Home Hospice. Every week I sit in a meeting with the multidisciplinary caretakers on this team ... Patients facing their own deaths want to talk about their lives. Our staff frequently tries to facilitate what they call a “life review” in which a patient can openly talk about their childhood, family, career, service, and sometimes their regrets. This is therapeutic for the dying patient and their loved ones.  ... I have recently thought about this particular human need – to reflect and remember one’s life. I take this as a reminder to both seek those stories from my own loved ones (I wish I had asked my grandmother more questions about her life) and, perhaps, to tell and write about the things in my own life I would want to be remembered after I am gone. For if there is another thing I’ve learned serving patients on hospice, it is that my death is also inevitable; but, I think, life’s finality is what gives it beauty and meaning. 

New hospice center in Missoula prepares for grand opening Times-Leader, Missoula, MT; by Taylor Richardson; 1/24/25 The Partner Hope Foundation has completed construction on its new hospice center in Missoula, offering critical services to the region. This facility is only the second of its kind in Montana and aims to provide high-quality care for elders in western Montana. ... The center features 12 patient care rooms equipped with amenities such as a spa, a full kitchen, and a space for spiritual practices. Melro highlighted the design of the patient rooms: "We tried to make them oversize so that family could gather here and stay with the patient as needed. We tried to encompass some things that will help make the patients more comfortable, such as additional storage and their own refrigerator. ... The center's creation was made possible by a $15.4 million fundraising campaign which is 95% funded so far. 

Healthcare Industry Team 2024 Year in Review JD Supra; by Claire Bass, S. Derek Bauer, Kevin Bradberry, Ernessa Brawley, Sarah Browning, Charlotte Combre, Payal Cramer, Emily Crosby, Vimala Devassy, Shareef Farag, Amy Fouts, Winston Kirton, Caroline Landt, Charlene McGinty, Justin Murphy, Lynn Sessions, Gregory Tanner; 1/22/25As we begin a year that will once again be transformative for the industry, we are excited to present our comprehensive 2024 year-in-review, highlighting all that has happened and the trends that will shape 2025. [Downloadable PDF from BakerHostetler, bakerlaw.com. Large categories include the following:]