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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 2019, for example, the percentage was 66%.

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How the Right Investments Can Help Hospices Reduce Turnover

Hospice News

Assessing clinician satisfaction and streamlining onboarding can pay off for hospices when it comes to staff retention. Hospices have poured dollars into retention amid widespread workforce shortages exacerbated by the pandemic. It impacts clinical capacity and our ability to serve patients.” Hospice News photo).

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Awareness, Education Keys to Trauma-Informed Hospice Care

Hospice News

Having a greater understanding around the impacts of trauma and abuse can help hospices improve end-of-life experiences for patients and working conditions for staff. Training and education are keys to caring for patients and employees with unique needs impacted by trauma and abuse.

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Hospices Face ‘Astronomical’ Costs to Attract and Keep Staff

Hospice News

Hospices are allocating more financial and operational resources on staffing initiatives than ever before to remain afloat and grow. Recruitment and retention have been top of mind for hospice providers amid ongoing workforce shortages that have only worsened with the pandemic. This is a rise from 33% the prior year.

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Culture, Compensation, Education Are Keys to Hospice Chaplain Turnover

Hospice News

The hospice chaplain shortage is reaching a tipping point. As they work to recruit and retain their chaplain labor force, hospices are contending with a barrage of issues that also can impact patient access. When someone is overwhelmed, it is impossible for them to provide quality care.”. A shrinking labor pool.

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Earlier Palliative Care Yields Higher ROI

Hospice News

Based on that analysis, the general perception that palliative care costs more money than it saves doesn’t hold water, Dr. Vipul Bhatia, associate chief medical officer for WellSpan said at the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization Annual Leadership Conference. We have to see them early enough to see the impact.”

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Patients, Providers Embrace Integrative Palliative Care

Hospice News

William Collinge, associate director of the Integrative Palliative Care Institute in Washington, said most palliative care organizations evolved as basic, mainstream medical care provided by doctors, nurses and social workers. The integrative model highlights an ongoing evolution. But it is still an emerging field.