End-Of-Life Care

Quality measures needed to evaluate end-of-life care in nursing homes, study urges

April 17, 2012

As the number of people who choose nursing homes for end-of-life care continues to rise, more quality measures are needed to help consumers judge quality, a new study recommends.
 

Panel endorses quality measures of palliative and end-of-life care

February 16, 2012

The National Quality Forum voted to endorse 14 quality measures regarding palliative and end-of-life care for patients and their families. The quality measures focus on areas of care including pain management, weight loss and depression.
 

Rapid growth of for-profit hospices raises ethical concerns, study says

May 19, 2011

The success of the for-profit hospice industry has caused concern among ethicists who say that the goal of profitability interferes with their ability to provide quality end-of-life care, according to new research.
 

End-of-life care planning regulation to go into effect

December 30, 2010

Starting Jan. 1, Medicare will pay doctors who advise patients on options for end-of-life care. Under this new rule, doctors can offer information to patients on how to prepare an "advance directive," which states how they wish to be medically treated if they become unable to make healthcare decisions for themselves. The discussion may occur during patients' annual exams.
 

Studies offer mixed results on cost benefits of hospice care

October 15, 2010

Increased use of hospice care services could help rein in healthcare spending at the end of life, according to one study. But another study indicates that hospice is not a silver bullet, Reuters Health reported.
 

Blacks' end-of-life care preferences often overlooked, study finds

September 28, 2010

Black patients are less likely than white patients to receive end-of-life care that accurately reflects their preferences, according to new research.
 

End-of-life care could depend on physician's religion, study suggests

August 30, 2010

The religious beliefs of your physician could impact the care you receive at the end of life, according to a new British study.
 

A new idea for hospice in long-term care

Larry Beresford June 29, 2010

The latest research raises the question of whether nursing homes should take charge of hospice care and not rely on outside contractors.
 

New guidelines released for hospice patients with defibrillators

May 17, 2010

New guidelines covering implanted defibrillators in terminal patients should help patients, doctors and hospice caregivers decide how to proceed with end-of-life treatments, experts say.
 

CMS nominee Berwick may face questions on healthcare 'rationing' during confirmation hearings

April 22, 2010

Donald Berwick, the current nominee for administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, likely will face questions over his views of end-of-life care during his Senate confirmation hearings, according to recent news reports.
 

Obama issues memo to ensure that hospitals honor patients' end-of-life wishes

April 20, 2010

A presidential memorandum aims to protect the rights of hospital patients on Medicare and Medicaid who are approaching the end of their lives.
 

Researchers look to hallucinogens to ease end-of-life anxieties

April 16, 2010

It turns out some scientists are saying, "yes," to drugs. Physicians and researchers are reevaluating hallucinogens like psilocybin, the psychotropic ingredient found in mushrooms, for their role in easing anxiety at the end of life, according to recent news reports.
 

For some seniors, family support increases end-of-life fears

April 01, 2010

Some groups of elderly people actually report being more afraid of death if they have a strong family network of caregivers, a new study finds.
 

Study: End-of-life care plans ease relatives' depression, stress

March 25, 2010

Relatives of elderly patients nearing the end of life experience less stress and depression if their loved one has made his or her end-of-life care wishes known, a new study finds.
 

Feeding tubes at end of life should be last resort, researchers say

January 07, 2010

There is no real benefit to using feeding tubes to care for those approaching the end of life. They should be considered only as a last possible option, according to a report from the Royal College of Physicians published Wednesday.
 

Less than 20% of nursing homes have end-of-life care programs

January 05, 2010

Fewer than one in five nursing homes provide end-of-life care services, according to new research from the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.
 

House bill resurrects end-of-life care planning measure

October 30, 2009

You've got to admit that our federal congressmen have some moxie. This week they unveiled their long-awaited healthcare reform bill. Included in it not only is the touchy public option, but also the perhaps even more controversial end-of-life counseling provision.
 

GOP chairman offers 'Seniors' Healthcare Bill of Rights'

August 25, 2009

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele on Monday outlined a "Seniors' Healthcare Bill of Rights" in The Washington Post.
 

Advance directives are not a proxy for euthanasia

Sherry Parrish August 25, 2009

It is a mistake to think that advance care planning in any way hurts seniors. Such discussions may lead to more end-of-life care instead of less and help preserve individuals' decision-making rights.
 

Study: End-of-life care planning improves quality of life of terminally ill patients

August 20, 2009

Amid the brouhaha over advance care planning, a new study finds that such counseling actually makes dying cancer patients feel better.
 
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