Hospice Management Advisor articles from December 2004

Hospice Management Advisor archives from December 2004

Hospice chains put pressure on nonprofits to boost services: Hospice industry, like the rest of health care, is growing.
December 1, 2004... In 1975, when the Hospice of Marin in Corte Madera, CA, became the second hospice to open in the United States, no one envisioned a time when hospices would become the standard for end-of-life care--even in profitable chains. "Our founding...

For-profit hospice growth due to marketing, quality: there's room for more growth for all.
December 1, 2004... As for-profit hospices grow and gain market share in the hospice industry, their nonprofit counterparts might learn a few new tricks from them about marketing hospice services to the public. VistaCare Inc. of Scottsdale, AZ, has plans to...

Ties with assisted living require unique approach: a little bit of home, a little bit of an institution.(Special report: expanding Hospice to alternative sites)
December 1, 2004... (Editor's note: In this issue, Hospice Management Advisor presents the second article in a two-part special report on how hospices nationwide are beginning to expand their services to treat people residing in long-term-care facilities and...

Services continue despite losing building in hurricane: staff overcome communications and travel problems.
December 1, 2004... (Editor's note: The devastation that Florida has experienced this hurricane season is unlike any the state has seen before. Following are the lessons learned from one agency caught in the middle of Ivan, one of the more powerful storms.) ...

Don't neglect regulatory issues in an emergency: industry works with CMS to lighten penalties.
December 1, 2004... Although the safety of employees and patients as well as the resumption of care to patients is a priority for a home health agency following an emergency, don't forget to address financial and regulatory issues that affect your agency's...

What to do before and after an emergency: communication is critical.
December 1, 2004... The most critical issue before, during, and after any emergency is communications, say the Florida home health managers who faced multiple hurricanes during the 2004 hurricane season. "We had no electricity after the hurricane, so we had no...

Joint Commission's 2005 survey fees to increase.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Survey fees charged by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations will increase for 2005. The fee increase, only the second in the last decade, will vary by program and, within programs, will vary by the types and...

Prepare your hospital for a very unusual flu season.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... With the unprecedented shortage of influenza vaccine this flu season, hospitals are scrambling to prepare for what may be a record number of flu patients presenting to their already overcrowded EDs and for staff shortages due to record...