Blogs

Description:  November 12, 2009:  At their November 5 public meeting, MedPAC (Medicare Payment Advisory Commission), discussed an analysis of hospice visit patterns. The data was collected to assist them in making recommendations for changes to the Medicare payment system for hospice services. Previously, MedPAC recommended changing the current flat per diem system of hospice payments

Description:  November 10, 2009:  Hospices across the country care for terminally ill veterans during the final weeks and months of their lives. In honor of Veterans Day, we want to share the story of Cpl. Adam Austin and Staff Sgt. Deuntae Preston, both members of the United States Marine Corps. They serve as volunteers through

Description:  Who can pass up the chance to give $50K to their favorite palliative care leader or organization if it turns out that it won't cost you a dime?  The Regence Foundation has established a new program, the Sojourns Award, aimed to promote palliative and end-of-life care in Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. It is

Description:  Thursday November 19, 2009:  It never occurred to me until today that enrolling my patients in hospice could cause them harm and distress. What unfolded is what happens all the time but which I hadn't recognized could have such a negative effect. My patient had been receiving home health through one agency for chronic

Description:  This is a link to a blog entry by CancerDoc, "a budding oncologist trying to make sense of the world."  It is a brutally honest post about an experience CancerDoc had watching a patient die in front of his daughter.  It's a bit gruesome, but is incredibly compelling.  It is an example of a

Description:  Thursday October 29, 2009:  Will reform help or hinder the practice of Hospice and Palliative Medicine(HPM)? Help, if HPM physicians reconfigure themselves into "sought-after practices". The reconfiguration must be willful and carefully planned, and in advance of implementation of national health reform. In other words, bets must be placed now that the health care

Description:  The most recent (November 18) blog entry from Angela Morrow, RN about a hospice dog, Baxter, who brought cheer to dozens of human beings as they approached the end of life.    Link:  Visit Site

Description:  This link is to a guest blog post (November 6, 2009) by Dr. Ira Byock, director of palliative medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H.  In this post, Dr. Byock talks about the House's Affordable Health Care for America Act and the recent section that has been resurrected; reimbursing doctor's for having voluntary

Description:  This post from Joanne Kenen on November 20, 2009 reviews some recent news in palliative care including NPR's report on the Gunderson Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, Wisonsin.  Joannes writing is very clear and includes some nice reflections.    Link:  Visit Site Related Resources:  NPR Audio Podcast: Why This Wisconsin City Is The Best

Description:     November 22, 2009:  CBS did a segment entitled "The Cost Of Dying" on tonight's 60 Minutes.Considering the title of the segment and the short amount of time alloted to it, CBS's coverage was accurate and thought provoking.I'd have done some things differently.....for example:   Point made: Patients most often don't pay their medical