Hospice providers have leveraged data in various ways to both identify and address the biggest barriers to access and unmet needs among underserved terminally ill patient populations. Some avenues may be more fruitful than others. Hospices need careful consideration when implementing more equitable patient data collection methodologies that lead to impactful change, according to Brittany […]
The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) has launched a volunteer-based hospice service for terminally ill incarcerated individuals. The program is part of a wider trend to improve end-of-life experiences as swelling aging inmate populations increase demand. Volunteers in NDCS’ hospice program provide bedside companionship, emotional support and assistance with daily activities of life. Participants […]
Prolific health disparities have driven hospices to implement various strategies to improve diversity, equity and inclusion among underserved patient populations. Some providers say the needle has much farther to go toward equitable access. End-of-life care models have increasingly diversified to reach a broader range of patients with different beliefs, values and spiritual outlooks, according to […]
Recent research has found disparities in hospice discharge rates and outcomes among Black and Latino patient populations. Black and Hispanic patients are more likely to have shorter stays and be discharged from hospice into a hospital setting compared to others, according to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) […]
Breaking down health care disparities can come with complex operational and financial challenges for hospices as reimbursement avenues lag amid widespread workforce shortages. Navigating these challenges can be a difficult feat when seeking to expand equitable access, according to Teresa Lin, vice president of cultural market development at VNS Health. The provider offers hospice, home […]
The AIDS epidemic coincided with the birth of the hospice movement roughly four decades ago, carrying groundbreaking impacts on end-of-life care delivery for LGBTQ+ communities and beyond. Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals were among the most severely impacted by the AIDS outbreak in the 1980s. LGBTQ+ communities died at higher rates from 1980 to […]
More hospices nationwide have increasingly recognized the value proposition of expanding their reach into untapped and underserved populations and geographic markets. Aside from increased access, census volumes and quality, health equity’s return on investment can also include a better recruitment and retention outlook, according to David Turner, vice president of special projects and initiatives at […]
Hospice staff training models with culturally appropriate LGBTQ+ components are key to improving quality outcomes among an increasingly diverse base of underserved seniors. Ongoing staff education and communication skill building are two significant pieces of bridging gaps of hospice care among LGBTQ+ seniors, according to Jerry Farmer, vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion at […]
A rash of states are restructuring their medical licensing requirements to allow more trained clinicians from other countries to find employment in the United States. The trend is an aim to address prolific workforce shortages, including in hospice, but could also have impacts on improving diversity, equity and inclusion. Some states have restructured medical licensing […]
End-of-life doulas can help hospices’ efforts to improve health equity in hard to reach settings while also improving quality in the last days of life. The quantity and quality of patient visits during the last days of life is an important quality measure for hospice providers. Having doulas at the bedside during the last days […]
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