Sat.Jul 22, 2023 - Fri.Jul 28, 2023

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CMS Finalizes 3.1% Hospice Payment Update for 2024, But Industry Stakeholders Fear It Falls Short

Hospice News

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is giving hospices a 3.1% increase to their per diem payments for 2024, according to a final rule published Friday. That will translate to a $780 million bump to hospice payments next year compared to Fiscal Year 2023, according to CMS. The finalized rule also raises the aggregate payment cap to $33,494.01 for next year, up from $32,486.92 set in 2023.

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Sleep problems and Insomnia in Serious Illness: A Podcast wtih Cathy Alessi and Brienne Miner

GeriPal

Summary Transcript Summary Insomnia. We’ve all had it. Lying in bed at 2 am staring at the ceiling, getting anxious every hour that you’re not falling asleep as you have a busy day coming up. Insomnia sucks. Chronic insomnia sucks even more. For those with serious illness, sleep problems and insomnia are all too common. Instead of reflexively jumping to melatonin or ambien, on today’s podcast we talk with two sleep experts, Cathy Alessi and Brienne Miner, about a better approach to sleep

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Nurse Manager Lisa Schneidenbach Dresses Up in Costumes to Lift Patients’ Spirits

Daily Nurse

Nurses are known for their acts of kindness, but Lisa Schneidenbach does it with incredible character. She dresses up as many different characters – all in the name of lifting patients’ spirits. Schneidenbach, an assistant nurse manager with John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack Meridian Health in New Jersey, says her passion for connecting with patients is the essence of being a nurse.

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Meet Our Newest Employee: Abby Fawks

Freedom Home Care and Medical Staffing

Freedom Home Care is always looking for more skilled and passionate people to add to our team. Our office staff and health workers are always there to help with your in-home care needs! Last month, we introduced you to three new team members. This month, we have another we’d like you to meet. Welcome Abby Please join us in welcoming Abby Fawks to the Freedom Home Care and Medical Staffing team.

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3 Reasons to Retire Pagers from Healthcare Settings

Let's discuss the trusty pager—an old favorite that’s losing its shine in hospitals and clinics. While once a staple in hospitals and clinics, pagers now present significant limitations that hinder rather than facilitate communication among healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals are constantly on the move, and they need communication tools that can keep up with their fast-paced lives.

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Value-Based Care Experience Gives Legacy Hospice Operators a Leg Up on Competition

Hospice News

Payers and private equity investors are among the new entrants stepping deeper into the hospice space. This trend has heated up competition and merger and acquisition (M&A) activity, while posing opportunities for strategic growth in an evolving value-based landscape. The hospice industry has seen a swath of new entrants amid record-level transaction volume and soaring valuations in recent years.

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Poem: Caregivers

Happy Healthy Caregiver

a guest post written by Dean Cook with permission to share with the Happy Healthy Caregiver Community When I was just a young boy, I remember asking Mom, “Why does Granddad shake like that? Where does that come from?” The time had come for her to share some things about her dad, … Poem: Caregivers Read More » The post Poem: Caregivers appeared first on Happy Healthy Caregiver.

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Patron Simon Cowell gives heartfelt message of thanks to Morrisons for raising £5 million for Together for Short Lives

Together for Short Lives

Fantastic news today for children’s hospices and families caring for a child with a life-limiting condition as long-standing Patron of the children’s palliative care charity Simon Cowell announced that Morrisons have reached £5 million pounds in their fundraising efforts for charity partner Together for Short Lives. The partnership with Morrisons, which started in February 2022, […] The post Patron Simon Cowell gives heartfelt message of thanks to Morrisons for raising £5 million for Toget

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After ‘Extensive’ Search, The Denver Hospice Names New President

Hospice News

The Denver Hospice – an affiliate of the Care Synergy network – has named a new president. The end-of-life care provider announced the hiring of Ernesto Lopez on July 11. The hospice veteran officially takes over as The Denver Hospice’s president on Aug. 21, according to the organization. “We know [Lopez] will make a significant impact in building relationships within the Denver community as well as unlocking the potential for The Denver Hospice in its service to the community,” Tim Bowen, presi

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World Lung Cancer Day

Adobe Hospice & Home Health

World Lung Cancer Day Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the U.S. and causes more deaths than any other cancer. World Lung Cancer Day is observed every year to raise awareness about the importance of preventing lung cancer and to support ongoing research efforts that may one day lead to new, effective The post World Lung Cancer Day appeared first on Abode Hospice & Home Health.

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National Assessment Highlights COVID-19 Impact on ED Pediatric Capabilities

Daily Nurse

Emergency departments (EDs) have made progress but still need to fully meet national guidelines for pediatric emergency care, despite the association with improved survival, found a study in JAMA Network Open. The findings are based on a 2021 reassessment of EDs by the National Pediatric Readiness Project , a partnership of the Emergency Nurses Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American College of Emergency Physicians, led by the Emergency Medical Services for Children Pro

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Real-Life Examples of HIPAA Violations and How to Avoid Them

Speaker: Jack Clough, Chief Growth Officer

Download our 30-minute webinar where we delve into real-life examples of HIPAA violations and preventative measures every organization should know! You will learn: The critical factors that lead to HIPAA violations and how to identify them. Three compelling real-life cases of organizations that faced severe HIPAA penalties. Proven strategies to safeguard YOUR organization against HIPAA violations.

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What is Frontotemporal Dementia? All About Bruce Willis’ FTD Diagnosis

Freedom Home Care and Medical Staffing

Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder that affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, leading to personality changes, behavior disturbances, and language difficulties. Recently, actor Bruce Willis made headlines when it was revealed that he has been diagnosed with FTD. In this blog, we will delve into what FTD is, how it’s diagnosed, and the steps to take when someone is diagnosed with this condition.

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What a Hospice Benefit Revamp Could Signal for M&A Trends

Hospice News

A restructuring of the Medicare Hospice Benefit could have impacts on merger and acquisition activity in the industry. Calls for changes to hospice eligibility and length of stay are growing louder among industry stakeholders. A main concern being voiced to the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is that the current six-month prognosis poses limitations on access, utilization and quality of care.

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Emotional Reframing

Today's Caregiver

I had lunch recently (see, they do let me out of the office for reasons other than events, every once and a while) with an extremely interesting new friend who is a member of the clergy. We spoke about the upcoming Fearless Caregiver Conferences.

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Mpox Response Show Future Direction for Advancing Equitable Healthcare

Daily Nurse

The U.S. faces growing and increasingly unsustainable health inequities , and the number of voices calling for substantive healthcare system reforms is growing. A new paper by the Duke University School of Nursing , “ Community-engaged Mpox vaccination provides lessons for equitable healthcare in the United States ,” examines why the recent U.S. response to the Mpox epidemic achieved successes and how these lessons can inform equity-focused improvements in the broader healthcare complex.

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The Ultimate Guide to Improving Caregiver Engagement & Retention

Want to learn how to retain your caregivers & improve caregiver retention X3? The home care industry is experiencing turnover rates of over 80%. How are you ensuring your agency is retaining caregivers? This FREE eBook from Smartcare Software is packed with industry secrets needed to keep your caregivers happy, engaged, and retained, unlocking the full potential of your agency.

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Congressional Briefing Demonstrates the Value of the Medicare Hospice Benefit

NHPCO

For Immediate Release July 28, 2023 New Research Shows Hospice Produces Better Outcomes, Lower Medicare Costs (Washington, D.C. and Alexandria, VA ) – On Thursday, July 27 a panel of healthcare experts presented groundbreaking new research at a Capitol Hill briefing for Congressional offices, showing that patient use of hospice contributed to $3.5 billion in Medicare savings in 2019, while also providing multiple benefits to patients, families, and caregivers.

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Agape Care Completes 2 Hospice Acquisitions in Georgia and Alabama

Hospice News

Agape Care Group has acquired two hospices for undisclosed sums — Birmingham, Alabama-based Hope Hospice and Assured Hospice in Cartersville, Georgia. Agape is a portfolio company of Ridgemont Equity Partners. With the addition of Hope Hospice, the company’s footprint has expanded across 20 Alabama counties. Through the Assured Hospice deal —coupled with a recent de novo in the Gainesville community — Agape covers all 159 counties in the state.

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Enhancing Practice: Understanding the Nursing Process Steps

Nurse.com

Understanding and using the nursing process steps is essential for individualized patient-centered care. The five key steps guide nursing care and promote better communication among healthcare team members. Some of you are fresh out of nursing school, while others are more seasoned in your careers. Regardless of your experience, applying the nursing process is vital to providing patient-centered care.

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AANP Applauds Senate Introduction of ICAN Act

Daily Nurse

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) commends Sens. Merkley (D-OR) and Lummis (R-WY) for introducing the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act in the U.S. Senate. This legislation would strengthen healthcare access for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries by removing federal barriers to practice for nurse practitioners (NPs) and other advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).

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Best Practices for Sharing Protected Health Information (PHI)

Explore essential topics in this ebook, including what constitutes PHI and how to identify it using 18 indicators. Gain insights into the importance of safeguarding PHI to protect patient privacy and learn about the severe consequences of HIPAA violations. Discover practical strategies for securely exchanging PHI within your healthcare organization, including assessing risks and implementing effective safeguards.

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Meet a Champion of Nursing Diversity: Dr. Robin Geiger

Minority Nurse

Robin Geiger, DNP, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, is an accomplished, results-driven, board-certified nurse executive with over 20 years of hands-on clinical leadership experience. Dr. Geiger’s professional focus is on health equity and clinician advocacy, aiming to increase resilience for healthcare providers, improve quality care and create solid support systems through the ACT (Advocacy.

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Brigham Young Geriatrician: Physician Residents Need to Learn Hospice Principles, Senior’s Specific Needs

Hospice News

Physicians in training need greater exposure to geriatric training in order to better grasp the needs of older patients, including during transitions to hospice, according to Dr. Julia Lowenthal, a geriatrician from Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Lowenthal recently presented research at the American Geriatrics Society Meeting in which she found that many residents are unfamiliar with the needs of older patients, despite the large numbers of seniors in need of care.

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World Lung Cancer Day

AT Home Care & Hospice

World Lung Cancer Day Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the U.S. and causes more deaths than any other cancer. World Lung Cancer Day is observed every year to raise awareness about the importance of preventing lung cancer and to support ongoing research efforts that may one day lead to new, effective The post World Lung Cancer Day appeared first on AT Home Care & Hospice.

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Six Month Update on Hospice Program Integrity Recommendations

NHPCO

For Immediate Release July 25, 2023 (Alexandria, VA) – In January of this year , NHPCO and other national stakeholder organizations submitted program integrity recommendations to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure regarding ongoing efforts to stop fraudulent hospice activity, focused but not limited to bad actors operating in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas.

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The Essential Guide to HIPAA-Compliant Messaging for Home Care Teams

Explore the risks posed by non-compliant consumer apps like Instagram and WhatsApp in healthcare settings. Learn about potential HIPAA penalties and use a self-evaluation flowchart to determine your organization's need for HIPAA-compliant messaging. Discover straightforward steps to implement secure communication solutions efficiently, ensuring compliance and protecting patient data effectively.

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10 Emergency Kit Essentials

Today's Caregiver

Older adults can be especially vulnerable during severe weather and natural disasters. Stock your emergency kit with these 10 essentials.

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New Jersey Advancing Bill for Palliative Care Medicaid Coverage

Hospice News

A New Jersey state bill that would establish community-based palliative care coverage is advancing in the state’s legislature. The engine behind the bill has been advocacy work by the Goals of Care Coalition of NJ (GOCCNJ), whose lobbying efforts moved state Assemblywoman Angela McKnight, chair of the Assembly Aging & Senior Services Committee, to introduce the bill.

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How to Build a World-Class Hospice Volunteer Program

Home Care Pulse

Article Contents: – Introduction – The value of volunteers. – How to develop world-class volunteers – Training for hospice volunteers – Focus on the little things Article Contents: – Introduction – The value of volunteers. – How to develop world-class volunteers – Training for hospice volunteers – Focus on the little things Share: We’re Home Care Pulse, a leading provider of experience management & surveys, caregiver/CNA train

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How much assistance does my aging parent need?

Living Assistance Services

If you’re new to having a Personal Support Worker (PSW) help care for an aging parent or other family member, you may not be sure how.

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The Cost of Inefficient Communication in Home Care & Beyond

This eBook explores the critical issues of using consumer-grade messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and SMS in healthcare, especially home care. It highlights the negative impacts on patient care quality, data security, and HIPAA compliance and provides practical solutions to enhance communication efficiency! You will learn how to: Consolidate Messaging Platforms: Streamline communication by reducing the use of multiple apps, improving efficiency in patient care.

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Learning from women’s sport, an open goal for healthcare workplaces?

Evidence-Based Nursing - BMJ blogs

Elizabeth Bailey, Associate Editor for Midwifery and Women’s Health discusses what healthcare can learn from recent developments in women’s sports. This week saw the start of the Women’s World Cup. Thirty-two countries have a national female football team competing for the top spot with more prime-time TV coverage in the UK and USA than before. These kinds of tournaments are seen as catalysts to encourage more women and girls into sports.

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Gentiva Expands with Mississippi De Novo

Hospice News

On the heels of its $710 million acquisition of Heartland Hospice, Gentiva has opened a do novo in Mississippi. The new location will serve 10 Mississippi counties, adding to the company’s more than 430 locations across 38 states. “It is amazing and today it is groundbreaking to come out here in the community,” the location’s administrator, Karen Childs, told local news.

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How to Talk With Parents About Aging Care

Home Sweet Home In-Home Care

Knowing how to talk with parents about aging care is vitally important when safety is a concern. Maybe you recall having “the talk” with your parents about those cringeworthy pre-teen topics. If you thought that was awkward, brace yourself for “the talk” with older parents about concerns you’re noticing and the need for care in the home! Knowing how to talk with parents about aging care isn’t easy and often leads to resistance, for several reasons: They might be in denial that there is a problem

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The State of Post-Acute Care in 2023: Operations

Home Care Pulse

HCP WEBINAR SERIES The State of Post-Acute Care in 2023: Operations With the release of the 2023 HCP Benchmarking Report, we have new data and insights on how post-acute care businesses have been impacted by ongoing industry challenges, and what the most successful organizations are doing to overcome them. Join HCP for a 6-part webinar series breaking down the key findings from each section of the 2023 HCP Benchmarking Report, including sales & marketing, recruitment & retention, finance

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The Secret to Supercharging Your Organizations Communications

Effective collaboration among all care team members is critical to delivering better patient outcomes. A key element to achieving effective collaboration is through the implementation of a clinical communication and collaboration platform. In a fast-paced, high-stress and critical environment, people tend to do whatever gets the job done. Therefore will scramble and use the systems, people, or processes around them to get an outcome more quickly - which can often be at the expense of quality.