Literature Review

Harmony House of Western Massachusetts unveils new home for terminally ill WWLP TV 22 News; by Kayleigh Thomas; posted 4/26/24, updated 4/27/24 [Chicopee, MA] After a long hiatus, the Harmony House of Western Massachusetts unveiled its new home for the terminally ill. It comes after the original home closed in 2019 before Covid-19 hit. Once the pandemic began, plans to renovate the new home were put on hold. Now, they’re completely renovated with a fully staffed team to offer companionship, meals, laundry services, and personal and spiritual care.

University of Kentucky moves ahead with acquisition of St. Claire HealthCare Spectrum News 1; by Chris Hughes; 4/26/24 The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees approved plans to move ahead with the acquisition of St. Claire HealthCare in Morehead, expanding its footprint in the eastern part of the state. ... The two institutions are eyeing a targeted closing date of July 1. St. Claire HealthCare is one of the largest employers in the greater Morehead region, with over 1,300 employees, including over 50 physicians and nearly 50 advanced practice professionals representing more than 20 medical specialties. ... St. Claire also provides home health and hospice services in eight counties. 

Novant Health launches 'hospital at home' with $2.7M donation Becker's Health IT; by Giles Bruce; 4/24/24 Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Novant Health launched a hospital-at-home program thanks to a $2.7 million donation. The health system rolled out the program in March at its coastal North Carolina region, and said the ideal patient is one likely to need four days or fewer of inpatient care. ... atients, who are monitored by technology around the clock, have 24/7 access to a remotely located registered nurse, receive at least two visits a day from paramedics, and meet virtually with a physician once daily. ... The New Hanover Regional Medical Center Foundation provided $2.7 million to help with operational startup costs. Novant Health received a waiver from CMS for the program in 2021.

How the FTC noncompete ban affects nonprofit providers Modern Healthcare; by Alex Kacik; 4/25/24 The Federal Trade Commission’s ban on noncompete agreements will apply to some healthcare nonprofits, lawyers said. ... In the final rule, the FTC offers an example of a nonprofit hospital that employed 100 physicians. The commission would have jurisdiction “because the organization engaged in business on behalf of for-profit physician members,” the rule states. ... The FTC created a carve-out for senior executives in the final rule. Existing noncompete agreements with senior executives, defined as workers who earn more than $151,164 a year and are in policymaking positions, can remain in place. But employers are barred from enforcing new noncompete provisions with senior executives.

UPMC lays off 1,000 employees, citing market challengesModern Healthcare, by Caroline Hudson; 4/24/24UPMC is laying off about 1,000 employees, or slightly more than 1% of its workforce. The layoffs are effective immediately, a spokesperson said Wednesday. The cuts mostly affect non-clinical, non-member-facing and administrative employees, Paul Wood, chief communications officer at UPMC, said in a statement. ... Pittsburgh-based UPMC operates 40 hospitals and 800 doctor's offices and outpatient sites in Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland and some international locations. Its insurance division covers more than 4 million members. The nonprofit health system reported a $31 million net loss in 2023, compared with a more than $1 billion loss the prior year. Operating losses for 2023 totaled $198 million.

Hospice of the Red River Valley celebrates milestone in Heather's House constructionInforum, Fargo, ND; by Michael McGurran; 4/19/24An important milestone for a first-of-its-kind Hospice facility in North Dakota, a dream project literally decades in the making. It was just two years ago that staff broke ground on the ambitious project. Heather's House will serve as a "hospital in disguise," a place with 18 beds where family and loved ones can spend their final time together in comfort, rather than in a hospital. It's all fully funded by donors. "You brought to life, a 25-year dream for this community," Hospice of the Red River Valley Executive Director Tracee Caprol told a crowd of donors on Friday, April 19. "Twenty-five years. You have the hearts, that compassion, the empathy, and a deep seated understanding of the needs of others."

Money donated to hospice organization: [$24k+ to Hospice Volunteers of Hancock County] Fox TV 22 and ABC TV 7 - Bangor, ME; by Susan Farley; 4/18/24During [November and December], Subaru of America and Stanley Subaru in Trenton donate a portion of proceeds from every new car sale to charity. Today they gave Hospice Volunteers of Hancock County a check for almost $ 25,000. "We are also growing our service with palliative care . We know that's a very underserved population really with support from volunteers going into the home providing companionship and respite. ... " said Hospice Volunteers of Hancock County Executive Director Kathy Bailargeon.

Rock River Hospice and Home receives $5,000 grant Shaw Local News Network; 4/18/24The Do it Best Foundation announced that a $5,000 grant has been awarded to Rock River Hospice and Home [Sterling, IL]. “Rock River is a regional leader in providing end-of-life care,” said Rich Jordan, general manager at the Do it Best warehouse in nearby Dixon. “No one is ever turned away from their services for their inability to pay, which is why donations and grants are so important. We’re honored to support their efforts to treat every patient and their families with dignity and respect.”

Black nurses advance bias suit over patients’ racial preferences Bloomberg Law, by Patrick Dorrian; 4/15/24 The US District Court for the Middle District of Florida rejected the argument of Good Shepherd Hospice Inc. and parent Chapters Health System Inc. that the two women failed to claim they experienced an adverse employment action as a result of the alleged discriminatory practice. It’s enough that the women say the scheme caused them to be passed over for work assignments, impacting them financially, the court said.

McLeod Health will build $45 million hospital in Cheraw The Post and Courier Pee Dee, Florence, SC; by Chris Day; 4/10/24 McLeod Health will build a $45 million hospital in Cheraw, replacing the current building that was constructed in 1980. ... McLeod Health operates seven hospitals to serve residents in northeastern South Carolina and southeastern North Carolina. The not-for-profit organization has 988 licensed beds, including hospice and behavorial health care. 

Valley Health and Blue Ridge Hospice expand partnership to offer hospice care at Shenandoah Memorial HospitalABC WHSV Fox TV 3, by Colby Johnson; 4/10/24 Valley Health and Blue Ridge Hospice are expanding their partnership to be able to offer their collaborative ‘Hospice in the Hospital’ program at Shenandoah Memorial Hospital in Woodstock. The program will allow patients at Shenandoah Memorial to receive end-of-life hospice care. 

Angela Hospice opening a hospice residence at Lourdes Senior Community in Waterford Detroit Regional Chamber, by Angela Hospice; 4/10/24 Angela Hospice will expand its caring services to the Waterford community and beyond, when it begins operating a 15-bed hospice residence at Lourdes Senior Community this summer and providing additional home hospice services in the area. The non-profit will extend its geographic reach further into north Oakland County, offering additional outreach to benefit all in the community, not just those on hospice care, through transformational grief support groups, educational outreach, and their Good Samaritan program, which serves those who are without insurance or the ability to pay for hospice.

Rio Grande Hospital addition designed for wellness [Includes lodging for out-of-town hospice family members] Alamosa Citizen; 4/9/24On the west side of Del Norte, across from a large bison herd, sits Rio Grande Hospital and Clinic. Construction of a large addition, a Wellness Village, is approaching completion with a grand opening planned for June. ... When completed, the wellness village will occupy five acres adjoining the existing hospital campus and will include the multipurpose Wellness Center, four to six small housing units, and four RV hookups. The housing and RV hookup features will enable those who don’t live close by or who are visiting the area to spend time with loved ones in treatment or hospice without having to travel up to 90 miles plus-or-minus every day.