Hospices Leverage Technology to Improve Patient, Employee Satisfaction, Reduce Turnover 

With burnout as a major cause of turnover, hospices are applying technology to take some of the pressure off of staff in hopes of boosting retention. A frequent goal is reducing the amount of time spent on documentation. Though complete and accurate documentation is essential to regulatory compliance, patient safety and securing payment, the sheer […]

Hospices Ramping Up Caregiver Support

Hospice providers have made recent moves to boost family caregiver support as access to respite care and other resources lags. Massachusetts-based NVNA and Hospice is among these providers. The company recently launched a new support group for adult caregivers of oncology patients. The monthly community group is intended to provide resources and assistance for caregivers […]

The Benefits of Diversifying a Hospice’s Referral Mix

As the health care system changes, hospices may want to focus on diversifying their mix of referral sources. A range of factors are transforming the environment in which home-based care providers operate, including hospices. Among them are value-based payment models, the workforce shortages, regulatory scrutiny and reimbursement that isn’t keeping pace with costs, according to […]

4 Keys to Creating a Palliative Care Marketing Campaign

Obstacles exist for palliative care marketers trying to reach new payers, referral partners and clients. To navigate them, providers should keep four key strategies in mind. At the heart of each of these strategies is the need to educate the audience you’re trying to reach. Widespread misconceptions about palliative care circulate among the public and […]

Hospice, Palliative Providers Strategize to Reach Underserved Communities

Providers are seeking to better understand the scope of health care disparities to find where the greatest areas of needs exist among underserved populations. But defining the range of communities that specifically lack access to hospice and palliative care can be a moving target. Every community in the nation has pockets of underserved communities, and […]

NHPCO: Language, Mistrust, Lack of Diverse Staff Come Between Hospices and Underserved Populations

Language barriers, mistrust of the health care system and a lack of diverse staff are the most common obstacles between hospice care and underserved communities, research from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) recently found. NHPCO’s Diversity Advisory Council, in partnership with Transcend Strategy Group, recently polled more than 1,200 individuals among LGBTQ+, […]

Hospice Workers ‘Crave’ Safety, Connection, Efficiency

As the hospice labor pool continues to dwindle, employers are seeking to understand what their workers need to continue on in the field. Researchers from Transcend Strategy Group have developed a stratified “hierarchy of needs” for hospice workers, based on data showing what those employees value most. Transcend found that the top priorities for hospice […]

Health Systems Expanding Into Hospice Could Disrupt Competitive Playing Field

As health and hospital systems show a growing interest in home-based care, the competitive landscape for hospices could change — both in terms of market share and staff recruitment. A leading concern is that hospices will see dips in their referral streams, admissions and ultimately their bottom lines, according to YoloCares CEO Craig Dresang. “In […]

No Easy Answers on Hospice Turnover Costs

Some hospice providers are walking a tightrope as they decide how to invest in recruitment and retention. Hospices have been pouring financial resources into efforts to bolster their workforce and are seeking ways to balance the costs associated with recruitment that differ from retention expenses. However, the process of calculating and comparing those costs can […]

Hospices Combat Misperceptions With Direct-to-Consumer Marketing

Patients and families often don’t recognize the distinctions among the hospices in their communities, which complicates providers’ efforts to differentiate themselves from competitors. Some hospices are reorienting marketing strategies to maximize consumer awareness and encourage patients to proactively discuss end-of-life options with their current providers. These findings appear in a recent report from senior care […]