Literature Review

Inside Hackensack Meridian's strategy to reduce nurse turnoverBecker's Clinical Leadership, by Mariah Taylor; 2/15/24The nation has an average nurse vacancy rate of almost 16%, according to the 2023 NSI National Health Care Retention & RN Staffing Report. At Edison, N.J.-based Hackensack Meridian Health, however, that figure is 6.5%. The secret, according to one of its leaders: creating a strong culture, investing in nurse leadership development and implementing a strong employee referral program.

Rural hospital alliance aims to increase access via telehealthModern Healthcare, by Alex Kacik; 2/14/24Rural hospitals are teaming up to provide specialty care to patients via a new telehealth program. Editor's Note: Full access to the article requires a subscription.

Back from the Super Bowl: Terminally ill Oak Hill man gives update on his trip of a lifetimeWVVA, by Gailyn Markham; 2/16/24Last week, WVVA shared the story of a terminally ill man from Oak Hill who had been selected by the NFL and Dream Foundation to go to the Super Bowl in Las Vegas. Well, John Dean, 63, is back home in West Virginia and shares some details of his trip of a lifetime. Dean was one of two sports fans chosen to attend the 58th Super Bowl and watch the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers go head-to-head. He says the experience was an emotional one that he will never forget, and shares more in a video diary he took on the big day. ... “We are finally at the Super Bowl! My dream come true...Go Kansas City! Thank you, NFL, and, thank you, Dream Foundation for making this dream possible!” 

Demand for these health care jobs is increasing most in each stateCentre Daily Times, by Paxtyn Merten Stacker; 2/15/24An analysis including more than 70 other health care jobs projected all but three states to add home health and personal care aides in the highest numbers. In just three states—Colorado, Florida, and South Dakota—did registered nurse job growth outpace home health.

What 54% of physicians want enough to take a pay cutBecker's Hospital Review, by Erica Carbajal; 2/13/24Many physicians feel conflicted in their personal lives due to the demands of the job, and more than half say they would take a pay cut for a better work-life balance, according to Medscape's "2024 Physician Lifestyle & Happiness Report." The findings, released Feb. 13, are based on a survey of 9,226 practicing U.S. physicians across 29 specialties.

Pharmacy in suit files for bankruptcySan Antonio Express News, by Patrick Danner; 2/12/24County's litigation targets Trinity along with major retailers for the amount of opioids it dispensed. ... A lawyer for the county dubbed it a "pill mill." ... Trinity Pharmacies said in a court filing that 99% of prescriptions it fills are for patients in hospice care.

Sister Úna lived a good deathWTTW-Chicago PBS, video; available for viewing 2/5/24 to 5/5/24Following a cancer diagnosis, Sister Úna—a mischievous, rule-breaking Catholic nun dedicated to social justice—chooses to live as she’s dying. In this touching end-of-life documentary, the self-proclaimed “leader of the misfits” plans her funeral in her last nine months to live.

The importance of art in a “good death”Hyperallergic, by Brianna L. Hernandez; 2/11/24... Resham Mantri and Eliana Yoneda are two artists and death doulas who are collaborators and founders of Community Deathcare Digest, an evolving collection of art projects and death cafes, as well as a bi-weekly newsletter about death and care. The newsletter gathers resources and educational content, and coordinates mutual aid for death rituals and funeral needs.

Hundreds gather in St. Louis to remember former US Sen. Jean Carnahan The Public's Radio - AP; 2/11/24Children and grandchildren of former U.S. Sen. Jean Carnahan of Missouri recalled her wit, curiosity, kindness and hard work during a public memorial service on Saturday. Carnahan, 90, died Jan. 30 in hospice care in suburban St. Louis after a short illness. Carnahan became Missouri's first female U.S. senator when she was appointed in 2001 to replace her husband, Mel Carnahan, [who] died in a plane crash that also killed his son, Randy, and campaign adviser Chris Sifford, just weeks before the 2000 election.

Cigna doubles down on growing Evernorth Health ServicesModern Healthcare, by Lauren Berryman; 2/2/24Two days after announcing it would sell its Medicare business, Cigna Group outlined plans to double down on growth opportunities for its Evernorth Health Services unit... It also expects to benefit from the continued growth of Medicare Advantage, despite its pending exit, by offering pharmacy benefits to these plans... Evernorth provides pharmacy, care delivery and benefits solutions to health plans, employers, government entities and providers. It also houses its Express Scripts pharmacy benefit manager, which is one of the top three largest pharmacy benefit managers by market share.

Humana to close its Louisville headquartersBecker's Payer Issues, by Rylee Wilson; 2/5/24Humana will consolidate its Louisville, Ky., headquarters, exiting the 27-story tower that bears its name. The company decided to leave the building as the company evolved to offer more flexible workstyles, the company said in a statement shared with Becker's. Humana will exit the downtown Louisville location over the next 18 to 24 months...

Joint Commission CEO talks about new sustainability program for hospitalsChief Healthcare Executive, by Ron Southwick; 2/5/24[The Joint Commission,] which accredits thousands of healthcare organizations on a variety of health and safety issues, has just launched a voluntary certification program on sustainability. [Dr. Jonathan] Perlin, [president and CEO], says he has heard from clinicians who pushed for a program to help hospitals do better on environmental issues. ... Undoubtedly, hospitals and health systems must improve their sustainability efforts. Each day, a hospital produces a ton of waste per every 100 beds, Perlin says.

Community steps up to donate $309K to Matthews House HospiceBradfordToday; 2/3/24Matthews House Hospice (MHH) is continually amazed by the generous support of our community. As a result of the community support, we raised over $309,000 throughout December and January for our annual holiday giving campaign. This year, the holiday campaign highlighted the impact that our community hospice programs make in the lives of our clients and their families.