NewsLine - July 2012 - (Page Intro)

ON OUR COVER: Improving Physician Narratives In his role as national medical director for a large multistate hospice, Kevin Henning participated in a quality improvement project in which hundreds of narratives were reviewed for compliance with the CMS requirement. In this article, he reviews good and bad narratives—and the steps the organization took to improve the bad ones. PLUS: A Study in Green Building In 2006, Hospice and Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois set its sights on building a 42,000-square foot hospice home. But instead of the “usual,” it built the first freestanding hospice home in Illinois to receive “Silver” LEED certification. “We paid about 4 percent more in upfront construction costs,” says Facilities Director Marjorie Pullinger, “but the benefit of that commitment is robust.” Marjorie, a registered architect, explains. The Changing Role of CT “Complementary therapies are becoming increasingly recognized as non-pharmacological adjunct treatments to help manage high stress and clinical symptoms,” says NCHPP Allied Therapist Section Leader Valerie Hartman. In this article, she discusses the treatment plan of one patient to illustrate just how effective CT can be. Short Takes: Ethical Issues: Tools to Support Your Practice Results From NHDD: It’s Working! Circle of Life Call for Nominations New Resources From WHV PC Support in Our Schools Hospice in the Media Hospice Savannah’s Palliative Care Services For Hospice Savannah, the expansion into non-hospice palliative care has evolved over an eight-year period. Today it includes consultation services at a local medical center, outpatient services at Andersen Cancer Institute, and a volunteer-supported transitions program. President/CEO Debra Anthony Larson discusses their expansion and future plans. Member News and Notes A Message From Don Compliance Tip of the Month What Does Diversity Mean in Your Organization? This is the question members answered through their submissions to NHPCO’s 2012 Creative Arts Contest that ended on June 30. Follow NHPCO on Twitter for a sneak peek at some of the photographic entries: @NHPCO_News (#hospice). Winners will be notified in late August. http://www.twitter.com/#!/NHPCO_news

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NewsLine - July 2012

Improving Physician Narratives
A Message From Don
NHPCO Resources for Physicians
When Life Gets Serious…Glatfelter Healthcare Practice (display ad)
Simione: Solving Your Hospice Challenges (display ad)
A Study in Green Building
The Steward Center for Palliative Care
The Voice of NCHPP
The Changing Role of CT
My.NHPCO—a Great Resource for Allied Therapists
Physician Guide to Hospice Care (display ad)
Ethical Issues: Tools to Support Your Practice
Results From 2012 NHDD
2013 Circle of Life Award Nominations
New (and Free) Resources From WHV
Exploring PC Support in Our Schools
Hospice in the Media
Member News and Notes
Compliance Tip of the Month
2012 CTC (display ad)
Resource Links to Bookmark
Videos Worth Watching

NewsLine - July 2012