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Regulatory updates, market trends and triage news. Read up on developments from our daily nurse triage blog.
2016 Virtual Conference: Call for poster presentations
The call for poster presentations for this summer's upcoming virtual conference "Challenges on the Front Lines: Effective Approaches to Complex Challenges" is open through April 29. Source: NHPCO
Potential for misuse & diversion of opioids to addicts should not overshadow their therapeutic value
Opioids are very effective for treating some types of pain, such as cancer pain and postoperative pain, but not for other kinds of pain like chronic low back pain. Source:...
Doctors ponder delicate talks as Medicare pays for end-of-life counsel
The ability for physicians to discuss advance care planning with their patients and receive reimbursement for this service is the focus of an article by Phil Galewitz published by...
Choosing to die at home does not hasten death for patients with terminal cancer
A large study from Japan found that cancer patients who died at home tended to live longer than those who died in hospitals. Source: Medical News Today
Missed opportunities to avoid painful shocks by deactivating ICD’s in final days of life
Many patients who have a common medical device known as an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) are unaware that the device can be deactivated to prevent painful shocks in their...
One month until National Healthcare Decisions Day
It's only one month until National Healthcare Decisions Day, April 16, 2016—the ninth year! This day of national awareness about making healthcare wishes known provides an excellent opportunity for...
Motivations, Satisfaction, and Fears of Death and Dying in Residential Hospice Volunteers: A Prospective Longitudinal Study
Rationale: Studies conducted on hospice volunteers’ characteristics and experiences have been cross-sectional. We conducted a prospective study to examine changes in the volunteer experience over time in a cohort of...
Evidence-based scope of practice for spiritual care
HealthCare Chaplaincy Network released the first evidence-based scope of practice, or set of competencies, for professional chaplaincy, giving spiritual care specialists, other providers and administrators a framework in which...
MedPAC March report to Congress
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission has released its report to Congress on Medicare Payment Policy, March 2016 Edition. The Hospice Action Network's Karen Davis shares key points of relevance...