Sat.Mar 09, 2024 - Fri.Mar 15, 2024

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Preventing Adverse Drug Events in Hospice Care

Hospice News

Documentation errors and a fragmented health system pose the greatest risks for adverse drug events among hospices. Evaluating these risks involves having solid medication reconciliation processes in place — both at the time of a patient’s admission and throughout their end-of life care experience, according to Mary Lynn McPherson, professor and executive program director of advanced post-graduate education in palliative care at the University of Maryland’s School of Pharmacy.

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A Longitudinal View of Nursing Leadership

Daily Nurse

At this time in history, the American nursing profession and its leadership are in a state of flux. The November 2023 American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) Nursing Leadership Insight Longitudinal Study leverages nursing leaders’ perspectives to shed light on where we are and where we’re headed as a nursing collective. In coordination with the AONL Foundation and Joslin Insight, five longitudinal studies have been conducted since 2020.

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professionals

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Programme supporting seriously ill children across the North West reaches one-year milestone

Together for Short Lives

The Kentown Children’s Palliative Care Programme in North West England has reached its one-year milestone, supporting over 128 families across Lancashire and South Cumbria. Launched with the needs of children with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses – and their families – at its core, families have described the initiative as ‘transformative’.

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Meet a Champion of Nursing Diversity: Barbara Bosah

Minority Nurse

Barbara Bosah, MS, RN, PCCN, is a highly skilled nurse manager in the thoracic and surgical intermediate care unit and vascular progressive care unit at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), downtown campus in Baltimore, MD. With over 14 years of experience leading care teams for patients with complex medical conditions, she is passionate nursing leader who fosters dynamic and supportive work environments that encourage continuous learning and professional growth.

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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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Hospices Stepping Up Performance on Visits-in-Last-Days-of-Life Measure

Hospice News

Hospices, in aggregate, are showing improvement on the quality measure for visits in the last days of life. The number of registered nurse and social worker visits during a patient’s final week is one of the seven quality measures that CMS uses to evaluate providers. In Calendar Year 2021, the share of hospice care days with nurse visits in the last seven days of life rose to 63%, up from 62% year over year, according to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO).

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Nurse’s Side Gig: TruCare Foot Health

Daily Nurse

If you’ve ever dreamed of having a side gig providing in-home patient care, Amanda Truffen, a Registered Palliative Care Nurse at Carpenter Hospice, is already doing just that. Truffen used to work full-time in her hospice job, but now she works part-time there and spends her other time working in her side gig, TruCare Foot Health. Truffen took time from her busy schedule to answer our questions about her business.

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What is an Estate Plan, and Who Needs One?

Elder Care Matters

You often hear that everyone needs an estate plan, but you don’t often hear exactly what that means. As a result, many people reach the conclusion that they’re not old enough, or not wealthy enough, to bother making an estate plan. But as Danielle explains, while your estate plan may vary depending on your age,… The post What is an Estate Plan, and Who Needs One?

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The Benefits of Deploying Palliative Care Social Workers in Hospital Emergency Departments

Hospice News

Embedding palliative care-trained social workers in hospital emergency departments can help health care providers effectively serve some of the most vulnerable patients. Populations who most need palliative care are often chronically ill seniors with complex health conditions. Between 2014 and 2017, these patients accounted for more than 20% of all emergency department (ED) visits in the United States, according to the U.S.

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Meet Judy Vire: The Nurse Practitioner Bridging the Healthcare Gap in Rural Texas Communities

Daily Nurse

Nurse practitioner Judy Vire has dedicated her life to establishing care for patients in rural parts of Central Texas. Her clinic, Kocurek & James, is one of a few providers offering medical care to communities desperate for easier access. Vire has a master’s degree in nursing, was a nursing educator, and worked in many nursing roles, but she said her love of small-town America and the people there inspires her life’s work.

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Dementia and Incontinence Treatment

Today's Caregiver

Caregivers of dementia patients should understand that incontinence may be an inevitable part of the overall cognitive decline. It is often sited as one of the major reasons why a person with dementia is is moved to a long-term care facility.

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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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How to Explain Death to a Child

Changing Lives Podcast

Death can sometimes be a difficult concept to understand, especially for a child. Given there are instances where adults can sometimes reject or avoid the death of someone close to them, it can be challenging for a child to fully grasp the concept. In this episode of Changing Lives, we will go over how to best explain death to a child in a way they can understand.

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Spiritual Care Key to Addressing Disparities Among Underserved Black Communities

Hospice News

Spiritual hospice care providers are an important link to building bridges of access and trust among underserved African American populations. Spirituality plays a key role in end-of-life decisions among African Americans, making hospice chaplains a significant part of reaching these populations, according to Saul Ebema, president of Illinois-based Hospice Chaplaincy.

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Daylight Savings Time: How It Affects Seniors & How To Cope

Accessible Home Health Care

Remembering when to set our clocks an hour ahead or an hour behind is difficult enough for the average person. Making such changes in the lives of seniors, especially those who already face the challenges of memory disorders, can have adverse effects. When a senior relies on routine to get through the day, disrupting that routine in any way might create undue stress to their system.

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Prioritizing Patient Safety

Adobe Hospice & Home Health

Prioritizing Patient Safety in Healthcare Settings During Patient Safety Awareness Week Patient Safety Awareness Week provides an opportunity to focus on the critical issue of patient safety, particularly in Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs), Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs), and Home care/Hospice environments. These settings, catering to some of the most vulnerable populations, require specific safety protocols The post Prioritizing Patient Safety appeared first on Abode Hospice & Home Hea

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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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Prioritizing Patient Safety

AT Home Care & Hospice

Prioritizing Patient Safety in Healthcare Settings During Patient Safety Awareness Week Patient Safety Awareness Week provides an opportunity to focus on the critical issue of patient safety, particularly in Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs), Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs), and Home care/Hospice environments. These settings, catering to some of the most vulnerable populations, require specific safety protocols The post Prioritizing Patient Safety appeared first on AT Home Care & Hospice.

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Palliative Care’s Evolving Role in Medicaid

Hospice News

The number of states introducing palliative care Medicaid reimbursement channels has been climbing in recent years. But questions proliferate around how to shape these programs. More Medicaid palliative programs have evolved in recent years, but utilization of these services is not keeping pace with payment, according to Torrie Fields, strategic advisor at the Coalition to Transform Advanced Care (C-TAC).

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The Importance of an Advance Healthcare Directive

American In-Home Care

As we journey through life, planning for milestones like career advancements, family expansions, and dream vacations is natural. Yet, one aspect of life often gets overlooked or pushed aside: planning for our healthcare needs, especially as we age. However, having an advance healthcare directive in place is not just for the elderly or those with serious medical conditions—it's important for everyone.

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Celebrating Pulmonary Rehabilitation Month

Adobe Hospice & Home Health

Celebrating Pulmonary Rehabilitation Month: A Journey of Recovery and Resilience Introduction to Pulmonary Rehabilitation Month March marks Pulmonary Rehabilitation Month, a time dedicated to spotlighting the transformative impact of pulmonary rehabilitation on individuals living with chronic respiratory diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, and other lung conditions.

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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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Traditions Health of McAlester, OK Awarded Home Health Accreditation

Traditions Health

Nashville, TN – Traditions Health of McAlester, OK has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Hospice Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a healthcare organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care. The McAlester home health branch underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review.

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Palliative Care Integration on the Rise

Hospice News

A range of medical specialties are incorporating palliative care principles into their care models. The trend points to ways that patients might receive palliative services through new avenues, such as geriatrics, primary care or home health care. Through palliative integration, these providers can make their care models more patient-centered, Alex Binder, vice president of Parker Advance Care said at the Hospice News/Palliative Care News Palliative Care Conference in Tampa, Florida.

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Free Tax Return Preparation for Seniors by Volunteers

Today's Caregiver

The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs offer free tax help for taxpayers who qualify.

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DEI Efforts: A Positive Force in the Workplace

Diversity Nursing

Rather than dismissing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as a passing trend, we should recognize it as a natural progression. In moving forward, we need to elevate our strategies to a more deliberate, purposeful, and impactful approach. According to the Pew Research Center , a significant number of employees have expressed that DEI initiatives have had a beneficial impact on the workplace.

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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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Traditions Health of Overland Park, KS Awarded Hospice Accreditation

Traditions Health

Nashville, TN – Traditions Health of Overland Park, KS has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Hospice Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a healthcare organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care. The Overland Park hospice branch underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review.

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MedPAC to Congress: Freeze Hospice Rates in 2025

Hospice News

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) has recommended to Congress a freeze on hospice payment increases starting in 2025. In its annual report to Congress, MedPAC urged policymakers to eliminate hospice base-rate increases for 2025. “Based on the positive indicators of payment adequacy and strong margins, the Commission concludes that current payment rates are sufficient to support the provision of high-quality care without an increase to the payment rates in 2025,” MedPAC indicated

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Respite for the Caregiver

Today's Caregiver

Sometimes life can slap you in the face with the unexpected. The diagnosis of severe spina bifida and hydrocephalus our daughter was given at birth sent us reeling.

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After the Storm

Elaine Mansfield

“I lost big trees in the recent wind,” I tell the Finger Lakes Land Trust steward who answers my call. “A mature oak, a sugar maple, a big hickory, and a few red maples. Many ash are broken and badly wounded and they’re already struggling to survive. A few big white pines broke off at the roots and lie on the forest floor plus at least half a dozen aspen.

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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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Lateral Agility: The Key to Breaking Silos in Healthcare

Healthy Workforce Institute

The longstanding issue of silos in healthcare has been a problem for decades. Physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other professionals operate within their own spaces, despite professing to be part of a unified team. The persistent practice of separating team members based on their roles prevents genuine collaboration, thereby leading to miscommunication, fractured care, and overall dysfunction.

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Senior Living Operator Launches Home Health, Hospice Company Dover Health

Hospice News

Senior living and health care services operator The Dover Companies has launched a home health and hospice business branded as Dover Health. The fledgling company pledges to offer patients a suite of wraparound services, including for the terminally ill, to support quality of life and aging in place. Its parent organization also operates senior living, pharmacy, development, independent living, personal care, assisted living and memory care businesses, among others.

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Being a Mental Health Nurse and PhD student: Working, studying and evolving identity

Evidence-Based Nursing - BMJ blogs

This weeks’ blog, and the first as part of our Early Career Researcher theme, is from Zoe Dodd. Zoe is a part time PhD student, a registered Mental Health Nurse and also works full time in a leadership role in a Mental Health Trust. Since starting my PhD in 2020, there has been a significant shift in how I view myself as a ‘nurse’, a ‘researcher’ and a ‘leader’.

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NHPCO and We Honor Veterans Welcome CMS Clarification Regarding Medicare Hospice Benefit for Dually Eligible Veterans

NHPCO

For Immediate Release March 7, 2024 (Alexandria, VA) – The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) and its We Honor Veterans (WHV) program responded to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) clarification on concurrent care eligibility for Veteran beneficiaries. Under Change Request 13523 issued by CMS on February 22, 2024, the Medicare Benefit Manual is updated to clarify that a Veteran beneficiary who elects hospice services under the Medicare benefit may sti

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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.