Report: End-of-life care gets better marks at VA living centers
By
Kristen Fischer
Nov 15, 2023
A new study looks at the quality of end-of-life care at Department of Veterans Affairs community living centers (nursing homes) and community nursing homes that contract with the VA.
How I found purpose in hospice nursing
By
Patty Husted
Nov 03, 2023
After working for more than 30 years in the field of hospice nursing – exploring roles across specialties, including patient services, operations and management – I can confidently say that hospice...
Use of common hospice drugs varies widely by state, highlighting limited guidance
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 16, 2022
Antipsychotics prescribing rates, for example, ranged from 62% for hospice beneficiaries in Oregon to 15% in Oklahoma, investigators say. Five states topped the prescriptions list.
EDs rarely send seniors with dementia to hospice care: study
By
Alicia Lasek (f3)
Jun 09, 2022
Despite a high likelihood of needing end-of-life care, patients with dementia who visit the emergency department are typically discharged to non-hospice settings and frequently return to the ED, investigators...
Barbara Bush gives gift to providers in final hours
By
James M. Berklan
Jun 08, 2018
Shortly after her death in mid-April, the tributes to former First Lady Barbara Bush washed over the media landscape for a few news cycles. Then, unfortunately, they faded.
Too many hospice patients are receiving antibiotics, and for too long, researchers say
By
Stephanie H. Kim
Jul 15, 2014
The prevalence and frequency of antibiotic use among hospice patients is high despite little evidence of effectiveness, researchers say.
OIG: Hospices often out of compliance, need framing
By
James M. Berklan
Feb 01, 2014
The Department of Health and Human Services’ watchdog arm recently said hospice providers need stronger oversight measures. It also noted more than $5.8 billion in recoveries in fiscal 2013.
Nursing home quality could improve with better palliative care interventions, large-scale trial shows
By
Tim Mullaney
Jan 23, 2014
By following practices that are common in home-based hospice care, nursing homes can improve the comfort and dignity of residents who are dying, according to new study results.
Increased hospice enrollment would save Medicare millions each year, researchers find
By
McKnight's Staff
Mar 06, 2013
Increasing hospice enrollment would improve care for beneficiaries while saving the Medicare program millions of dollars annually, according to a study in the March issue of Health Affairs.
Advance directives mean more palliative, less costly care, study shows
Oct 07, 2011
Individuals with advance directives are more likely to receive palliative care and are less likely to die in a hospital, a new study finds.