| News for physicians caring for the seriously ill |  |
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| Palliative & Hospice Care Update | | |
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- Study analyzes radiation therapy use for dying cancer patients
MD Anderson Cancer Center researchers who analyzed 10 years of Medicare claims found costs and other nonmedical issues drive the use of radiation to ease cancer symptoms for patients in the final weeks of life. Costs for patients who got radiation were $3,453 higher on average, but those who were in hospice when they received it had total costs $2,675 less than people who had neither radiation nor hospice care, which is due in part to Medicare's reimbursement structure. Medscape (free registration)/Reuters
(11/21)     
- Pain lingers for many head, neck cancer patients, study says
Patients with head and neck cancer often report pain a year after diagnosis even if they take analgesics, University of Michigan researchers reported in the Archives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. Researchers said identifying patients most at risk for pain could help increase targeted assessments and interventions. MedWire News (U.K.)
(11/22)
- Mich. nurse sees value of pediatric hospice services
Pediatric hospice nurse Mary Spicketts says her job is not an easy one, but she takes satisfaction in working with patients and families. Spicketts, pediatric program director for Hospice of Michigan, says her experience has shown her how important pediatric hospice services are, and she finds children facing death are "amazing individuals who really just inspire you and keep you motivated to keep going." MLive.com (Michigan) (free registration)
(11/26)
| Patient & Family Perspective | | |
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| Medical Research | | |
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- CDC data show state rates for COPD vary
CDC data showed rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease varied regionally, affecting less than 4% of people in Washington state and Minnesota but more than 9% in Alabama and Kentucky. The survey showed 62.5% of patients said COPD harmed their quality of life, and 50.9% reported taking at least one daily medication for the condition. United Press International
(11/25)
- Alzheimer's appears to develop differently in women, men
MRI scans of 109 patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease indicated that brain atrophy started earlier in women than in men. Although female patients had smaller hippocampi than their male counterparts a year before diagnosis, men lost volume more quickly after that, researchers said. The findings were presented at a meeting of the Radiological Society of North America. Diagnostic Imaging
(11/27)
| Health Policy & Practice | | |
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- Budget negotiators consider raising Medicare eligibility age
Gradually increasing the eligibility age for Medicare from 65 to 67 would reduce federal spending by about $148 billion and might increase revenue as more people stay in the workforce, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Seniors would have an easier time getting private insurance once the Affordable Care Act is fully implemented, proponents of the idea say. However, research indicates costs would be transferred to employers and federal subsidies to buy private insurance would reduce overall savings. The Wall Street Journal
(11/26)
| Trends & Technology | | |
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- Provider network unveils tool for nursing facilities
A tool has been developed by the Keystone Beacon Community in Pennsylvania to support patient data-sharing between skilled nursing facilities. The platform can be used to extract and reformat information from patient records into a Continuity of Care document type that can be electronically sent to care providers through a health information exchange. Health Data Management
(11/26)
| AAHPM News | | |
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How can you stay inspired and up to date on the latest advances in hospice and palliative care?
Join the more than 2,400 hospice and palliative care professionals who meet once each year to gain knowledge directly from leaders in the field at the 2013 AAHPM & HPNA Annual Assembly. Learn the latest scientific advances. Share best practices. Build long-lasting relationships. Learn more.
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Joint Commission releases "Speak Up: What you need to know about your serious illness and palliative care"
Patients and the families of patients living with a serious illness may find help dealing with their emotional, physical and spiritual concerns by turning to palliative care, according to the Joint Commission's new educational campaign, which covers how and when to get palliative care, questions that palliative caregivers may ask, questions to ask palliative care providers, where to find information, and more. Free downloadable files of all Speak Up videos, brochures and posters (including Spanish language versions of the brochures) are available here.
| SmartQuote | | |
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 | The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet."
--James Oppenheim,
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