March 2011 eNews
Joint Commission Approves Hospital Palliative Care Certificate Program
The Joint Commission (TJC) has approved a new hospital palliative care certificate program, similar to those already in existence for stroke units and heart failure. The program is expected to launch September 1, 2011. This is an important step forward because TJC certification sends a strong signal of importance and legitimacy to hospital administration, payers, policymakers and organized medicine. It will spur palliative care program leaders to adhere to quality guidelines, and it will be a major catalyst to achieving quality palliative care programs in all U.S. hospitals. More details to come. Spread the word and share this important news with colleagues and administration!
Better Care of Sickest Patients Can Reduce Hospital Medicaid Costs, Says New Palliative Care Study
According to a new study in Health Affairs, Medicaid beneficiaries receiving palliative care show significantly lower hospital costs while getting an extra layer of medical support. The study reports that, on average, patients who received palliative care incurred $6,900 less in hospital costs during a given admission than a matched group of patients who received usual care.
Read the Report (subscription required)
PBS The Open Mind Interviews Diane E. Meier, MD
On PBS The Open Mind Richard Heffner sat down for an in-depth interview with Diane E. Meier, MD, director of the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC). They discussed the benefits of palliative care, where the field is headed and addressed common misconceptions. The interview and transcript for "Palliative Care: Care vs. Cure?" is available online. Watch the Video
Steven Z. Pantilat, MD Receives James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award
Steven Z. Pantilat, MD, at the University of California at San Francisco Palliative Care Program was honored with the 2011 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award on March 3. The award provides $125,000 to support the work of individuals who are advancing innovative and effective solutions to significant issues in California. Learn More
Akron Children's Hospital Receives $1.2 million for Palliative Care
Akron Children's Hospital has received $1.2 million to create an endowed chair for its pediatric palliative care services. As the founder and medical director of the Akron Children's Hospital's Haslinger Family Pediatric Palliative Care Center, Sarah Friebert, MD will be the first chair holder, and the chair will be named in her honor. Akron Children's Hospital is also a Palliative Care Leadership CenterTM. Learn More
HealthLeaders Media Names Diane E. Meier, MD, One of 20 People Who Make Healthcare Better
The annual HealthLeaders20 profiles individuals who are changing healthcare for the better. Diane E. Meier, MD, Director of the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC), is featured alongside Don Berwick, MD, Nancy Pelosi, Elliott Fisher, MD, and more. Read Diane E. Meier: Palliative Care Pioneer (interview by Carrie Vaughn) listen to the interview
Children's National Medical Center Receives $3 million to Study Family-Centered Advance Care Planning
Children's National Medical Center received more than $3 million in grants from the National Institutes of Health and the American Cancer Society to study advance care planning for teens with AIDS and cancer, respectively. Learn MoreRegence Foundation Awards Eight New Palliative Care Grants
The Regence Foundation announced it has made eight palliative care grants to hospitals in Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Washington totaling more than $1.5 million. The grants are to help recipients implement hospital-based palliative care programs. Learn More
New Study Shows Variability in Palliative Care and Hospice Data to Calculate Hospital Mortality Rates
A recent study in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, "Hospital Mortality Rates: How Is Palliative Care Taken into Account?" revealed considerable differences in the way entities rating hospitals recognized and handled hospice and palliative care for the calculation of hospital mortality data. The report cites the need for leaders to educate themselves on how mortality rates are calculated, where palliative care and hospice care fit in, and how this affects the hospital. Read the Report
Special Report Examines Government Scrutiny of Hospice Eligibility
This report explores the biggest regulatory challenge now facing hospices; the dilemmas involved in determining terminal prognoses; limitations in the medical science of prognostication; and the emotional barriers of hospice access. The report recommends concrete steps for the hospice community to engage with the challenges of heightened government scrutiny of their patient eligibility determinations. Read the Report
HHS Issues New Strategic Framework on Multiple Chronic Conditions
The new strategic framework—coordinated by HHS and involving input from agencies within the department and multiple private sector stakeholders—expects to reduce the risks of complications and improve the overall health status of individuals with multiple chronic conditions. You are invited to share developments regarding your efforts to implement elements of the strategic framework by e-mailing HHS at MCC@hhs.gov. Learn More
HPM Coalition Leaders Strategize: “Speaking with One Voice”
The Hospice and Palliative Care Coalition, comprised of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM), the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC), the National Palliative Care Research Center (NPCRC), and the National Association of Social Work (NASW), met to re-affirm its purpose and mission. The Coalition also discussed the use of consistent language and agreed to use the inclusive phrase "hospice and palliative care" when describing the work of the coalition, and when taking action on behalf of the coalition on related activities and goals.
Join the 2011 National Palliative Care Registry™
Annually, when you register your program, you'll be able to:- Track your program's structures and processes of care, year after year.
- Generate reports — now available for programs that completed registration in 2009.
- Receive a premium listing in the GetPalliativeCare.org Provider Directory.
- Be included in prevalence studies.
Meetings & Events
CAPC National Seminar
November 10—12, 2011
Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego, CA
Registration Coming Soon
Choose from a host of new topics and new themes. The ED will be a big focus this year. We'll also have content specific to social workers, chaplains, program administrators and small hospitals. Take advantage of topics including: financing concepts; working across the continuum; pediatric palliative care for adult programs; role of the program manager; palliative care in the ED and ICU; spirituality standards; communication skills and much more!
Education
HPM Fellows Eligible for Free e-Learning Courses
CAPC Campus Online™ offers a variety of CME/CE courses to enhance your professional development. Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellows may enroll at no cost. Courses are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Learn More and Enroll
Palliative Care Immersion Course
March 28—April 1, 2011
Four Seasons, Flat Rock, NC
Taught by an interdisciplinary team, this course is designed for physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and clinical nurse specialists who are either new to the field of HPC or want to enhance their clinical skills as well as improve the design/efficiency of their palliative care program. Learn More
Duke University School of Medicine Mini-Fellowship Program
April 4—8, 2011
The mini-fellowship will provide an opportunity for physician faculty members to attend a five-day program designed to help clinician-educators enhance their skills in curriculum development in geriatric medicine with a specific content emphasis on Palliative Care Curriculum Development. Request an application or contact the Education Program Coordinator at geri.education@duke.edu or (919) 660-7577. Get More Information
IHI Expedition Series
Palliative Care & Pain Management in Critical Care
Begins April 28, 2011
More details coming soon
Faculty: David Weissman, MD, Professor Emeritus, Medical College of Wisconsin, and Judith Nelson, MD, JD, Associate Director, Medical Intensive Care Unit, Mount Sinai School of Medicine More details coming soon. Expeditions are two- to four-month, interactive, web-based programs. Hospitals can "direct enroll" in any one Expedition program for $750.
ELNEC-Critical Care Course
August 4-5, 2011
Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel, St. Louis, MO
The End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) provides nurse educators with essential training in end-of-life/ palliative care and provides participants with the knowledge and resources to share this with other nursing colleagues. Learn More
CAPC Tools, Training & Technical Assistance
Upcoming Audio Conferences
Reaching the Non-Referring Physician
Thursday, April 14, 2011
1:30—2:30 PM Eastern
Register Now!
Recruiting a Physician to the Palliative Care Team
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
1:30—2:30 PM Eastern
Registration Coming Soon!
New Yorkers—Take Advantage of Funding for CAPC Technical Assistance
As part of its continued efforts to improve New York State's health care system, the New York State Health Foundation has awarded CAPC a grant to help New York state hospitals develop, strengthen and grow strong palliative care programs. New York State hospitals, and hospices with an established hospital palliative care program partnership, are eligible to enroll at no cost for CAPC technical assistance. Space is limited. Funding is currently available for:
- CAPC Audio Conferences
- CAPC Campus Online™ e-Learning Courses
- Palliative Care Leadership Centers™ (PCLC)
