Literature Review

Rising workplace violence against nurses: A pressing issue in the healthcare sector Medriva, by Zara Nwosu; 2/5/24According to a report published by National Nurses United, there has been a disturbing increase in violence against nurses in their workplace, with a staggering 81.6% of nurses reporting experiences of violence. ... It negatively impacts recruitment and retention, with 60% of nurses stating that the experience of violence has influenced their decision to change jobs, leave jobs, or even consider leaving the profession.

Colorado’s paid leave program just launched. Here’s why that’s good for the state.U.S. Department of Labor Blog, by Gayle Goldin; 2/5/24Today marks the 31st anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), landmark federal legislation that provides eligible workers unpaid, job-protected leave for specific family and medical reasons. ... But the FMLA is not enough. The lack of a paid leave standard means that many people cannot afford to take time away from work, even when they need it. That’s why we’re celebrating Colorado’s new paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI), which began accepting applications on Jan. 1.

Spending in home care outpaces other healthcare sectorsMcKnights Senior Living, by Kathleen Steele Gaivin; 2/2/24Spending in home healthcare outpaced other healthcare sectors in November, according to Altarum’s monthly Health Sector Economic Indicators brief, released Wednesday. “In November 2023, year-over-year spending on home healthcare grew the fastest among major spending categories, at 12.9%,” Altarum Fellow and Senior Researcher George Miller told the McKnight’s Business Daily. ... Spending on nursing home care grew 7.9%; prescription drug 12.2%; dental services 5.8%; hospital care 5.9%; Overall, personal spending on healthcare goods and services was 7.3% in November, year over year.

What happens to the pets of local hospice patients?InterReviewed, by Mercedez Hernandez; 2/1/24Nonprofit organizations dedicated to finding homes for animals say there is a great need for these services when a pet owner is experiencing their final moments in hospice care. Kerrvile Pets Alive recently rescued Gracie, a 9-year-old tabby cat whose owner was about to die in hospice. Karen Guerriero, president of the nonprofit’s board of directors, said the agency works directly with Peterson Health Hospice in Kerrville to accommodate pets when requested, as in Gracie’s case.

Dying mother wins $10m from WA after cancer became terminal in prisonNewsFinale; 2/2/24Washington State has paid just shy of $10 million to settle a lawsuit with a mother-of-two whose cervical cancer became terminal while she was in prison after doctors there failed to diagnose and treat the disease. Paula Gardner, 42, was serving time for drug and burglary offences and did not receive adequate medical care for over two years despite tests showing possible signs of cancer in that time before a scan revealed a growth inside her uterus, according to the lawsuit.

Hospital staff fulfills hospice patient's final wish to attend son's weddingNBC 10 News; 1/31/24A hospice patient in Fall River was able to attend his son's wedding, thanks to the help of some healthcare workers. The wedding was held inside of Charlton Memorial Hospital's chapel on Wednesday. Staff said it was patient John's last wish to see his son get married.

New Braunfels Hope Hospice veteran and wife reunited with son, who lives in JapanThe Herald-Zeitung, by Erica Wilson; 1/31/24Hope Hospice’s recent partnership with the nonprofit Luke’s Wings made this long-awaited reunion possible. Hope Hospice covers a 50-mile radius from New Braunfels, providing hospice care and community grief services. Luke’s Wings is based in Washington, D.C. and provides emergency travel planning services and airplane tickets for families of wounded or ill service members, veterans and fallen officers.Editor's Note: Click here for Luke's Wings website.

Worcester hospital nurses file complaints over 'dangerous conditions' MassLive.com, by Susannah Sudborough; 1/30/24Nurses at Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester have filed official complaints with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and other state agencies over “dangerous conditions” they say are jeopardizing patient safety, the state’s largest nurse’s union announced Tuesday. The complaints are based on over 500 reports made by nurses over the last six months that detail issues such as staffing deficiencies and poor allocation of technology, the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA), which represents the nurses, said in a press release.

Caregivers: Being a ‘care partner’ for someone is not a burden Parkinson's News Today, by Marisa Wexler, MS; 1/30/24Focusing on 'burden' reduces care partner support to 'burden reduction.' ... “A singular focus on ‘caregiver burden’ and a lack of knowledge of care partners’ perceptions of [Parkinson’s] caregiving can limit care partner support to only burden reduction, which may not always be possible given the progressive nature of the disease,” wrote the scientists, who interviewed 16 caregivers to better understand their perspectives. 

St Mary’s Hospice launches community choir to foster wellbeing and connectionsBNN, by Safak Costu; 1/30/24St Mary’s Hospice in Ulverston [United Kingdom] has heralded a new era of community engagement with the inauguration of its unique community choir. The first session, held at the hospice’s Living Well Centre, marked the beginning of what is expected to be a vibrant and melodic journey. The choir is a testament to the hospice’s commitment to fostering wellbeing and community connections, extending an open invitation to all, regardless of musical prowess or experience.

8-year-old girl with terminal illness becomes honorary K-9 officer BNN, by Wojciech Zylm; 1/28/24Eight-year-old Elayah Chance, a Plainfield resident living with a terminal genetic condition, had her dream come true as she was sworn in as an honorary K-9 officer. This heartwarming event was a joint effort by the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana and the Plainfield Police Department. Partnered with Officer Rob Prichard and his K-9 companion, Jocko, Elayah spent an unforgettable Saturday responding to calls and serving her community in a way she had always dreamt of.

Seniors spend the equivalent of 3 weeks a year on health care, study saysThe Washington Post, by Linda Searing; 1/29/24Older adults spend an average of three weeks every year on doctor’s appointments and other health care outside their homes, according to research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Of those 21 “health care contact days,” 17 involve ambulatory services, such as office visits with primary-care doctors or specialists, testing and imaging, procedures, treatments and therapy. The remaining four days included time spent in an emergency room, hospital, skilled nursing facility or hospice.

First-ever survey of LGBTQIA+ older adults cheered by senior living provider groupsMcKnights Senior Living, by Lois A. Bowers; 1/29/24A planned first-ever statewide survey of LGBTQIA+ older adults in California is drawing cheers from senior living industry advocates. Responses to the online survey, conducted by the California Department of Aging and a statewide coalition of LGBTQIA+ community-based organizations and research partners, will form a baseline data set to inform plans for tailored services, the CDA said in an announcement, which described the survey as “groundbreaking.”