Hospice Management Advisor Archives – December 1, 2011
December 1, 2011
View Issues
-
Encrypt laptops and smartphones to prevent data breaches
In April 2010, the laptop computer of a hospice nurse in the Chicago area was stolen. The theft of a mobile device is not that unusual. -
Media training essential for all spokespeople
Editor's note: This is the second of a two-part series that looks at effective media relations. This month, we look at tips and strategies for handling media relations during a crisis. Last month, proven strategies that result in media coverage of hospice events, services, and announcements were described. -
Spanish pain brochure explains symptoms
In response to an increasing demand for Spanish-language resources to educate Hispanic Americans about all aspects of chronic pain, the Baltimore, MD-based American Pain Foundation has produced a free brochure available in Spanish and English titled "Explain Your Pain." -
Educate yourself to manage care for growing senior population
As the baby boomers reach retirement age, the senior population in this country is growing by leaps and bounds. -
Leadership conference focuses on volunteers
The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) has announced July 30 to August 3, 2012 as the dates for the 2012 Volunteer Leadership Virtual Conference. Hosted on-line, the educational program is exclusively focused on hospice volunteerism. -
CMS finalizes 2012 Medicare home health payment changes
Payments to home health agencies (HHAs) are estimated to decrease by approximately 2.31% or $430 million in calendar year (CY) 2012, the net effect of a 1.4% payment update, the wage index update, and the case-mix coding adjustment, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS). -
Parents less likely to choose supportive care
Parents are more likely to choose aggressive chemotherapy for their children who are in the palliative stage of cancer than the health care professionals caring for the children, according to a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. -
Survey of medical records demonstrates effectiveness of POLST
According to newly published research, a program created to communicate the treatment preferences of those with advanced illness or frailty ensures those preferences are honored 94% of the time. The Program, called Physicians Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST), was launched in Oregon almost 20 years ago. -
Study shows issues with discharge instructions
Patients and their caregivers sometimes have difficulty recalling details of their discharge instructions, a new study finds. -
Patients/surrogates vastly overrate likelihood of survival
Most (83%) patients/surrogates stated they preferred full code status but only 4% could identify the components of CPR; 16% stated preferences that differed with the medical record. -
Personalize protection of patient health information to improve employee education
A hospice can have encryption on all devices that include patient information as well as a full set of policies and procedures regarding the protection of patient information, but staff education is critical to ensure safety of data, says Brian Payne, chief executive officer at Winston-Salem Hospice and Palliative CareCenter in North Carolina.