Literature Review
All posts tagged with “Headlines.”
Potentially unsafe low-evidence treatments
05/04/25 at 03:55 AMPotentially unsafe low-evidence treatmentsGeriPal podcast; by Eric Widera, Alex Smith, Adam Marks, Laura Taylor, Jill Schneiderhan; 4/25/25More and more people are, “doing their own research.” Self-identified experts and influencers on podcasts (podcasts!) and social media endorse treatments that are potentially harmful and have little to no evidence of benefit, or have only been studied in animals... We and our guests have noticed that in our clinical practices, patients and caregivers seem to be asking for such treatments more frequently.
Hunterdon Health Auxiliary’s Splash of Sparkle raises $47,000 for Hunterdon Hospice
05/04/25 at 03:50 AMHunterdon Health Auxiliary’s Splash of Sparkle raises $47,000 for Hunterdon Hospice Hunterdon Health, Flemington, NJ; Press Release; 4/22/25 On April 6th, the Hunterdon Health Auxiliary brought together supporters of Hunterdon Hospice for its signature event, Splash of Sparkle, held at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club. Guests gathered for an afternoon filled with bubbly, brunch, and giving back—raising $47,000 to support compassionate end-of-life care for patients and families across our region. ... One of the most meaningful moments of the afternoon came when Jean Hewens, a longtime friend of hospice, shared her family’s journey. Her husband, Dr. Jeremy Hewens, was a beloved family physician with Hunterdon Family Medicine at Delaware Valley for many years. ...
Longmont women celebrate milestone 100th birthdays with community and caregivers
05/04/25 at 03:45 AMLongmont women celebrate milestone 100th birthdays with community and caregivers Longmont Leader, Longmont, CO; by Tricia Stortz; 4/28/25 Two Longmont women are marking a rare milestone this week as they each celebrate their 100th birthdays surrounded by caregivers, family, and friends who have helped shape their life journeys.Virginia, a palliative care patient at The Peaks Care Center, turned 100 on April 25. Dorothea VanLoo, a hospice patient at McIntosh Skilled Nursing Facility, celebrates her centennial today on April 28. Both women are under the care of TRU Community Care, Colorado’s first hospice organization, which today serves more than 1,300 patients and participants across a range of programs. Their milestone birthdays have inspired a community effort to honor lives richly lived.
NPHI opens 10th Annual Summit in Las Vegas, celebrating a decade of impact
05/04/25 at 03:40 AMNPHI opens 10th Annual Summit in Las Vegas, celebrating a decade of impact National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI)m Washington, DC; Press Release; 4/29/25The 10th Annual Summit of the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) officially kicks off this morning, April 29, at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas. This milestone Summit, themed “A Decade of Impact,” brings together hospice and palliative care leaders from across the nation to celebrate ten years of remarkable achievements and to explore the innovative strategies that will drive the future of high-quality, community-based care. ... Key topics include advancing policy solutions to prevent fraud and abuse in hospice, harnessing artificial intelligence to improve care, exploring international hospice, elevating outreach and communications, and strengthening the quality and consistency of services across the board. During the summit, NPHI will also debut a newly developed Cancer Clinical Provider Guide—designed to help members deliver the highest standards of cancer care. ... “As we mark a decade of impact, this summit is not only a time to reflect on the extraordinary progress we’ve made, but an opportunity to be forward thinking and anticipating what comes next,” said Tom Koutsoumpas, NPHI CEO. [NPHI is a sponsor of our newsletter.]
Small acts of kindness can change someone’s world
05/04/25 at 03:35 AMSmall acts of kindness can change someone’s world MedPageToday's KevinMD.com; by Jake Rattner; 4/26/25 So much of the world is centered around looking out for ourselves. We get caught up in our own problems, our own routines, and sometimes, we forget to stop and think about what someone else might be going through. ... But when we step outside of our own lives, even just for a moment, we start to see the bigger picture. ... In the end, it’s the simple things that matter. A conversation, a smile, a moment of recognition—these things can change someone’s entire day, even if you don’t realize it. ... Because sometimes, the best medicine isn’t even medicine—it’s just knowing that someone cares.Editor's note: Pair this with today's story, "Good Samaritan: Kimberly Romey brings warmth and peace to Benefis Peace Hospice."
Covenant Health transaction a growth engine for VITAS
05/04/25 at 03:30 AMCovenant Health transaction a growth engine for VITAS Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 4/28/25 Vitas Healthcare’s 2024 purchase of Covenant Health and Community Services is helping to drive the company’s growth. VITAS acquired Covenant last year for $85 million. The transaction included Covenant’s hospice assets and marked an important milestone for VITAS, including its entry into the assisted living space and in the Alabama market while expanding its geographic footprint across Florida.
[United Kingdom] New UK Centre hopes to change public attitudes towards grief
05/04/25 at 03:25 AM[United Kingdom] New UK Centre hopes to change public attitudes towards grief University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; Press Release; 4/24/25 Grief affects everyone but is still very much a taboo subject in the UK. A new Centre - the first of its kind in the UK - hopes to shift public attitudes towards grief and create communities that are compassionate and connected in their support of people who are bereaved. The Centre for Grief Research and Community Engagement (Grief Centre) at the University of Bristol is launched today [24 April]. The Grief Centre will focus on interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research into grief, death and loss, aiming to increase understanding of these fundamental aspects of being human and provide the space for new thinking, ideas and approaches.
Health sector answers Trump's call for deregulation ideas
05/04/25 at 03:20 AMHealth sector answers Trump's call for deregulation ideas Modern Healthcare; by Bridget Early; 4/29/25 The Trump administration wants the healthcare industry to recommend rules and regulations to toss. Trade groups representing hospitals, health insurance companies and others have ideas. The White House, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and other parts of the federal government are seeking suggestions to guide President Donald Trump's campaign to radically restructure and diminish the federal government. ... CMS included a request for information in Medicare payment rules the agency proposed this month. Comments are due June 10.
Hospices celebrated National Volunteer Week 2025: "Celebrate Service"
05/04/25 at 03:15 AMHospices celebrated National Volunteer Week 2025: "Celebrate Service"Hospice & Palliative Care Today; compiled by Joy Berger, editor in chief; 4/26/25 Hospices throughout the nation celebrated this year's National Volunteer Week, April 20-26. The 2025 theme has been "Celebrate Service ... to shine a light on the people and causes that inspire us to serve." The links below reflect a few ways that hospice organizations used this national observance to celebrate services provided by our valued palliative, hospice, and bereavement volunteers.
Professor teaches student physicians how to use art to connect with end-of-life patients
05/04/25 at 03:10 AMProfessor teaches student physicians how to use art to connect with end-of-life patients Thomasville Times-Enterprise, Moultrie, GA; by Staff Reports; 4/23/25Richard Curtis of Thomasville teaches art classes at Thomas University, but he’s also an end-of-life doula who volunteers with patients through Archbold Hospice, integrating his artistic skills into his volunteer work. Earlier this month, Curtis showcased his blend of art, medical care, and human interaction during a session of the Medical Humanities course at PCOM South Georgia. Led by faculty member Thomas Last, PhD, the course aims to help student physicians transcend the science of medicine. “The Medical Humanities course supports students’ growth into humanistic, socially conscious physicians by providing reflective opportunities and meaningful experiences that deepen their understanding of diverse patient perspectives,” Dr. Last said.Editor's note: Do you dismiss this? Does it seem too "out there"? For stronger context, Sandra Bertman, PhD, FT pioneered Arts Medicine with medical students and other healthcare clinicians. For most of her career, Bertman was Professor of Humanities in Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and Graduate School of Nursing, where she founded and directed the Program of Medical Humanities and Arts in Healthcare. (More personally, I've been blessed to know Sandra as my colleague and friend.) Dr. Bertman was awarded the Robert F. Kennedy Award for Social Justice (2018). Her primary publications include ...
Awards and Recognitions: April 2025
05/04/25 at 03:05 AMAwards and Recognitions: April 2025
CMS releases HOPE Guidance Manual (V. 1.01) and Tables
05/04/25 at 03:00 AMCMS releases HOPE Guidance Manual (V. 1.01) and TablesCenters for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); by CMS; 4/22/25On April 22, 2025, CMS released the HOPE Guidance Manual (V. 1.01) and connected tables. Providers can use v1.01 for HOPE planning, as this is considered final before HOPE implementation. Also note that earlier this month, the final HOPE data specs have also been released, helping software developers to finalize their HOPE software for testing in the coming months.
Medicare Program; FY 2026 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements
05/01/25 at 03:00 AMMedicare Program; FY 2026 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements Federal Register - The Daily Journal of the United States Government; by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); 4/30/25This document has a comment period that ends in 61 days: June 30, 2025, This proposed rule would update the hospice wage index, payment rates, and aggregate cap amount for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. This rule also proposes changes to the admission to hospice regulations and the hospice face-to-face attestation requirements under the certification of terminal illness regulations. This proposed rule also includes a technical correction to the regulatory text and provides updates to the Hospice Quality Reporting Program requirements. Finally, this proposed rule solicits comments regarding requests for information surrounding future measure concepts for Hospice Quality Reporting Program.
Top 50 Hospice Providers report now available
05/01/25 at 03:00 AMTop 50 Hospice Providers report now availableHospice News - Flagship Report; 4/30/25The hospice sector has undergone dramatic changes in recent years. Once a nonprofit, volunteer-driven movement, the industry is now a landscape dominated by for-profit entities, private equity, and publicly traded companies. This shift is reshaping care delivery, reimbursement models, and the competition that exists in end-of-life care. Hospice News partnered with Hospice Analytics to rank the largest hospice chains by 2023 Medicare claims. Using proprietary data, including Medicare payments and SEC filings, the report tracks changes in ownership and acquisitions, offering a comprehensive view of the industry landscape. Dive into the data and insights to better understand the evolving dynamics of the hospice industry.Editor's note: The "top" hospice providers is based on the size of chains, not on quality scores. Hospice Analytics--partner for this project--provides quality scores for these through its National Hospice Locator. (Hospice Analytics is a sponsor for this newsletter.)
Awards and Recognitions: April 2025
05/01/25 at 03:00 AMAwards and Recognitions: April 2025
How can hospice and palliative care providers address elder abuse?
04/30/25 at 03:00 AMHow can hospice and palliative care providers address elder abuse?AAHPM Quarterly; by Larry Beresford; Fall 2024In June of [2024], the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), a professional member organization representing established nonprofit hospice and palliative care providers, issued a white paper and resource guide called “Breaking the Silence: Addressing Domestic Violence, Elder Abuse and Neglect.” This release launched a campaign aimed at bringing greater attention to the widespread, underappreciated, and underreported epidemic of elder abuse—in all of its forms but for hospice and palliative care patients in particular. The launch was held in conjunction with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, June 15, created at the United Nations and observed around the world. Collaborating on NPHI’s project is the NO MORE Foundation, which is dedicated to ending domestic and sexual violence through allied organizations, international chapters, and grassroots activities. “Breaking the Silence” includes resources on elder abuse and insights into its prevalence and the various forms it takes while encouraging providers to screen for and respond to suspected abuse.
Unleashing Prosperity through Deregulation of the Medicare Program (Executive Order 14192)- Request for Information
04/30/25 at 02:00 AMUnleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation of the Medicare Program (Executive Order 14192)- Request for Information CMS.gov - Medicare Regulatory Relief; retrieved from the internet 4/29/25... We are requesting comments include clear and concise information, and where practical: data, example(s), narrative anecdotes, and recommended action(s). Prior RFI comments submitted have helped better understand specific challenges and experiences and in turn helped inform our work. The targeted topic areas in this request are, in part, based on information from individuals within the populations we serve. You may respond to some, or all of the topics listed in this RFI. As applicable, please specify the care setting, geographic area, specialty (e.g., primary care), and/or specific CMS policy (or policies) referred to in your response. ... Comments received before the close of the comment period may be made available for viewing by the public. Submitters should not include any confidential or personal information. CMS will not respond individually to comments received. ...[The form to submit comments is at the end of its webpage: Medicare Regulatory Relief | CMS.
Hospices celebrated National Volunteer Week 2025: "Celebrate Service"
04/28/25 at 03:15 AMHospice celebrated National Volunteer Week 2025
40% of nurses eye exit by 2029: 5 findings from NCSBN’s new workforce report
04/28/25 at 03:00 AM40% of nurses eye exit by 2029: 5 findings from NCSBN’s new workforce report Becker's Hospital Review; by Erica Carbajal; 4/27/25While the post-pandemic nursing workforce is showing signs of stabilizing, high levels of burnout, stress and dissatisfaction continue to threaten long-term workforce stability, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s biennial 2024 National Workforce Study. The report surveyed more than 800,000 nurses in the U.S. and is considered the largest, most comprehensive report on the state of the nursing workforce. ...
How do we encourage and advance the quality of hospice care in America?
04/28/25 at 02:00 AMHow do we encourage and advance the quality of hospice care in America?AAHPM Quarterly; by Larry Beresford; Spring 2025While the majority of hospice agencies work hard to provide good care, stories about those that fail to live up to their ethical or legal obligations have appeared in prominent journalistic settings in recent years. But if we dig deeper into quality, we see lots of questions about what quality hospice care really means. What kinds of messages should hospices be delivering to their various publics about quality and about choosing the provider that will meet their particular needs?Notable mentions: Judi Lund Person, Holly Yang, Rebecca Yamarik, Alan Kaplan, Martina Meier, Martha Twaddle, Joseph Shega, John Mulder, Edward Martin, Jennifer Kennedy.
Access to hospice and certain services under the hospice benefit for beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease and beneficiaries with cancer
04/27/25 at 03:55 AMAccess to hospice and certain services under the hospice benefit for beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease and beneficiaries with cancer MedPAC; by Kim Nueman, Grace Oh, and Nancy Ray; 4/11/25 [From MedPac Presentation Roadmap, meetings held April 10 & 11, 2025]
HHS proposal slashes Medicare SHIP funds
04/27/25 at 03:50 AMHHS proposal slashes Medicare SHIP funds MSN; by Mary Helen Gillespie; 4/22/25 The Trump administration is proposing federal budget cuts to Medicare State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP) and seven additional elder health care safety net programs that assist older Americans. ... SHIP programs have been under the umbrella of the Health and Human Services agency Administration for Community Living. The pre-decisional budget lists funds for seven other ACL programs that would be eliminated are:
Hospice Choices: VITAS Healthcare expands in Austin, Texas
04/27/25 at 03:45 AMHospice Choices: VITAS Healthcare expands in Austin, Texas Globe Newswire - Small Business World Journal; Press Release; 4/23/25... VITAS Healthcare has expanded its reach in the Austin area by opening a new administrative office in Pflugerville. With the addition of this North Austin location, VITAS now serves the entire metro area and surrounding counties, bringing greater access to compassionate, expert end-of-life care for patients and their families. ... Grand opening celebrations for the Kyle and Pflugerville offices are scheduled for late June.
National Volunteer Week: April 20-26, 2025
04/27/25 at 03:40 AMNational Volunteer Week: April 20-26, 2025 Hospice & Palliative Care Today; by Joy Berger; 4/18/25 We hope you have been preparing ways to celebrate your volunteers! The root word for volunteer--"vol"--means "will," "wish," as in of one's own volition. One's own free will. Your volunteers can surely choose to give their time to a world of other meaningful missions. And they choose your hospice. Each time they simply show up. This week, intentionally "will" and "wish" something special for your faithful volunteers, and your employees who lead them.
Demystifying the End: Hospice care impact on the Black community
04/27/25 at 03:35 AMDemystifying the End: Hospice care impact on the Black community Defender; by Laura Onyeneho; 4/22/25 Monica James has seen firsthand the confusion and emotional strain families face when end-of-life care isn’t discussed early enough. She works for the non-profit organization Houston Hospice as the Community Engagement Coordinator, serving 13 counties across Southeast Texas. ... According to data collected by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, Black Americans on Medicare seek hospice and palliative treatment 13% less than their white counterparts. For African American, Afro-Caribbean and African immigrant families, generational trauma and a lack of trust in the healthcare system often lead to delayed decisions about hospice care. “There’s been a historical gap in access and trust,” said James. “Our goal is to show up consistently, to listen and to let these communities know they have options and that they’re not alone.”