Hospices Reevaluate Staff PTO Policies During Pandemic

As the COVID-19 pandemic puts new pressures on hospice staff, providers are reevaluating and revising their policies to accommodate and maintain their workforce. Hospices nationwide have restructured and adapted telecommuting policies to transition employees into working remotely from home, easing some of the childcare issues for staff. Reallocating vulnerable or exposed staff to non-patient facing […]

Social Workers Adapt to Hospice Care In a Pandemic

The ongoing social isolation and distancing measures to reduce spread of the coronavirus pandemic has challenged a vital element of social and psychosocial services in the realm of hospice care. As the outbreak continues impacting communities throughout the nation, hospice social workers have become adaptive to continue serving patients and families in need. At the […]

Hospices Use Heat Map Technology to Track COVID-19, Allocate PPE

Allocating protective personal equipment (PPE) to staff has been an ongoing difficulty for hospice providers as they contend with dwindling supplies and increased costs as the coronavirus pandemic continues. Emerging technologies such as heat mapping are showing promise in helping hospices to identify geographic areas hardest hit by the novel coronavirus and in the greatest […]

Hospices Leverage Telehealth for Interdisciplinary Care

Telehealth use continues to expand in hospice care as providers find new ways to connect with patients and families from a distance during the coronavirus pandemic. The first priority for hospices was adapting telehealth to address patients’ medical needs, but they have moved on to broaden the scope to include a variety of interdisciplinary services. […]

LHC Group Rebounds from COVID-19 Pitfalls, Hospice Growth Slowed

Though uncertainties abound through the rest of the year, hospice operations at LHC Group (NASDAQ: LHCG) are trending upwards despite a mid-March dip due to the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the crisis pits headwinds against many of the organization’s future projections, LHC Group remains optimistic, anticipating recovery stemming from federal funding relief, acquisitions […]

Amedisys Poised for COVID-19 Recovery, Further Hospice Growth

The Amedisys, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMED) hospice segment saw a drop in referrals and rising costs stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic during the first quarter of this year. Though the outbreak creates industry-wide uncertainty about the future, demographic tailwinds, de novo activity and acquisitions show promise for a strong recovery, including the company’s $235 million purchase […]

The Changing Scope of Telehealth for Hospice Care

Technology has played a vital role in sustaining hospice care during the ongoing national state of emergency. Federal agencies have increasingly allowed for temporarily expanded telehealth use, and hospice providers are anticipating a new normal for delivering patient care as the pandemic begins to peak in some areas across the country. With the U.S. Centers […]

Hospice Providers Work to Boost Staff Morale Amid Pandemic Pressures

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a significant toll on hospice providers, including a heavy impact on its workforce. Many staff are experiencing physical and mental health challenges while continuing to deliver care to patients at highest risk. Hospices nationwide are finding new and encouraging ways to help boost morale and keep their workforce thriving amid […]

Vermont Hospice Makes 3D Printed Face Shields to Protect Staff

As the COVID-19 pandemic strains hospice supply lines, providers are finding innovative ways to obtain essential personal protective equipment (PPE) and prevent risk of infection. Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice (CVHHH) found a cost-effective solution to protect staff and patients by employing 3D printers to produce reusable face shields. What began as a hobby […]

Hospices Ramp Up Staff Screening Procedures for COVID-19

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, hospices are honing their screening procedures to protect staff as they visit patients’ homes. However, many challenges resulting from the pandemic’s pitfalls have placed a strain on providers as they work to protect patients and their workforce. Many hospices geared up their prevention measures at the pandemic’s onset. Hospices bolstered […]