Copyright 2009 Medical News Today Latest Palliative Care / Hospice Care News From Medical News Today. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/palliative_care/ admin@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Admin) editors@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Editors) en-us Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171956.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171956.php While all Americans will eventually die, CBS's 60 Minutes reports, it may turn some heads to find out how much the government will spend when it happens -- in 2008, about $50 billion in the last two months of life. "You might think this would be an obvious thing for Congress and the president to address as they try to reform health care. Seniors / Aging Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171900.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171900.php New research from the US adds weight to the growing body of evidence that opiate-based painkillers like morphine, which has been used to treat postoperative and chronic cancer pain for two hundred years, encourage cancer cells to grow and spread. If confirmed with clinical studies, these findings could change the type of anasthetics given to cancer patients during surgery and the type of painkillers they use afterwards. Cancer / Oncology Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171526.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171526.php Biliary drainage is performed as a palliative treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. The reduction of serum bilirubin is usually the hallmark of successful biliary drainage. However, some patients may have persistent jaundice or scanty bile output after biliary drainage. A research team, led by Dr. GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170935.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170935.php Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (LWW) is pleased to announce that the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) has appointed Betty Ferrell, PhD, MA, FAAN, FPCN, as the new editor of The Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing. LWW is part of Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading provider of information and business intelligence for students, professionals, and institutions in medicine, nursing, allied health, and pharmacy. "Dr. Palliative Care / Hospice Care Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170976.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170976.php A partnership between researchers at the University of Leeds and Martin House Children's Hospice has resulted in the world's first comprehensive study of palliative care received by children and young people. Palliative Care / Hospice Care Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170855.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170855.php The Associated Press reports on hospice care. "Lillian Landry always said she wasn't afraid to die. So when death came last week, the 99-year-old was lying peacefully in a hospice with no needles or tubes. Her final days saw her closest friend at her side and included occasional shots of her favorite whiskey, Canadian Mist. Landry is an exception. Seniors / Aging Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170644.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170644.php Patricia Berry, PhD, APRN, FAAN, associate professor at the University of Utah College of Nursing was formally inducted into the American Academy of Nursing Saturday as one of the 2009 new Fellows. Berry was nominated for this honor by two current Academy Fellows and was selected by the Academy's 15-member Fellow Selection Committee for her outstanding achievements in the nursing profession. Nursing / Midwifery Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169028.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169028.php Researchers in the USA have discovered a potential new function for anti-epileptic drugs in treating neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. The study, published in BioMed Central's open access journal Molecular Neurodegeneration, found that neurons in the brain were protected after treatment with T-type calcium-channel blockers, which are commonly used to treat epilepsy. Alzheimer's / Dementia Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168878.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168878.php Working like an architect, Prof. Hagit Eldar-Finkelman of Tel Aviv University's Sackler School of Medicine is "building" a new drug, L803-MTS, to treat a number of central nervous system (CNS) diseases like Alzheimer's. In pre-clinical studies, it also shows promise against Parkinson's, Huntington's and diabetes. L803-MTS is based on the physical structure of the GSK3 protein, which plays a causative role in insulin resistance and Type II diabetes. Alzheimer's / Dementia Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168495.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168495.php Patients who die in the hospital in the United States are almost five times as likely to have spent part of their last hospital stay in the ICU than patients in England. What's more, over the age of 85, ICU usage among terminal patients is eight times higher in the U.S. than in England, according to new research from Columbia University that compared the two countries' use of intensive care services during final hospitalizations. Palliative Care / Hospice Care Thu, 15 Oct 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167465.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167465.php A growing number of older adults are dying from dementia. In an editorial in the October 15, 2009 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, Greg Sachs, M.D. Alzheimer's / Dementia Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167416.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167416.php Kidney specialists should weigh the potential quality of life for frail elders with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in opting for dialysis over more conservative therapies, a nephrologist and a palliative care specialist suggest in an editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine. Acknowledging a lack of data from randomized trials evaluating the benefit of dialysis in the elderly, authors Mark L. Zeidel MD, and Robert M. Urology / Nephrology Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167431.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167431.php In the first study to rigorously describe the clinical course of advanced dementia, a leading cause of death among Americans, researchers in the US concluded that dementia is a terminal illness and is insufficiently recognized as such, resulting in many patients not receiving the palliative care that aims to improve the comfort of the terminally ill. Alzheimer's / Dementia Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167370.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167370.php James A. Block, M.D., president of J.A. Block Health Associates, will receive the inaugural 2009 American Cancer Society Pathfinder in Palliative Care Award, which recognizes individuals who have demonstrated innovation and ingenuity in their contributions to the advancement of the field of palliative care. Palliative Care / Hospice Care Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167098.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167098.php Pain is undertreated in three-quarters of dialysis patients and a recent survey reveals why. Only one-third of surveyed second year nephrology fellows indicated receiving training on how to treat pain in dialysis patients and when and how to address end-of-life issues with patients. Palliative care is now recognized as an important part of the comprehensive care of patients with serious illness. Pain / Anesthetics Thu, 08 Oct 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166627.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166627.php Aine Brady, T.D., Minister for Older People, officially opened the All Ireland International Conference on Palliative Care, "Pushing Boundaries in Palliative and End of Life Care". The Conference has been organised by the Northern Ireland Hospice and focuses on palliative and end of life care. The conference will capture new developments in palliative and end of life care from professionals and users' perspectives. Palliative Care / Hospice Care Wed, 07 Oct 2009 05:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166479.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166479.php Guidelines derived from a recent Consensus Conference, including recommendations on the role of healthcare providers in the assurance of quality spiritual care to patients in a palliative care setting, are published in a comprehensive report in Journal of Palliative Medicine, a peer-reviewed publication from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Palliative Care / Hospice Care Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166392.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166392.php Almost half of the patients who die in intensive care units die within 24 hours, but the environment is not equipped to provide good end-of-life care. Most relatives are nevertheless happy with the care given, shows a thesis from the Sahlgrenska Academy. An intensive care unit (ICU) is designed primarily to save lives rather than provide end-of-life care. Palliative Care / Hospice Care Wed, 23 Sep 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/164859.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/164859.php The European Society for Medical Oncology is proud to announce that it has formally recognized 27 cancer centers for their commitment to providing excellent palliative care as part of the care they offer to patients. The prestigious "ESMO Designated Centers of Integrated Oncology and Palliative Care" program gives cancer centers international recognition for providing comprehensive services in supportive and palliative care. Palliative Care / Hospice Care Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/164094.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/164094.php The second National Care of the Dying Audit of Hospitals (NCDAH) published today, shows that patients on the Liverpool Care Pathway for the Dying Patient (LCP) are receiving high quality care in the last hours and days of life. The audit covers the use of the LCP in 155 hospitals, looking at the records of almost 4000 patients. Palliative Care / Hospice Care Mon, 14 Sep 2009 01:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/163793.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/163793.php Despite an opposition campaign full of misinformation, an Oregon lawmaker continues to push to keep his controversial end-of-life provision in the House's health care proposal. The Oregonian reports: "With Congress digging in again on health care, Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore. Seniors / Aging Fri, 11 Sep 2009 01:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/163592.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/163592.php A report into appropriate, safe and effective medicines use in palliative care will be launched by the National Prescribing Service (NPS) and Palliative Care Australia at the 10th Australian Palliative Care Conference in September. The report, Achieving quality use of medicines in the community for palliative and end-of-life care, is the first to document a shared understanding of the barriers to the best use of medicines during the end stages of life. Palliative Care / Hospice Care Wed, 02 Sep 2009 05:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/162655.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/162655.php Health Care Needs A Clear Message Politico For a president whose communication skills are so justifiably well-regarded, the biggest obstacle comes as a surprise: the need for a clear and simple message of how his team's version of health care reform will benefit ordinary Americans (Mark Penn, 9/1). Health Insurance / Medical Insurance Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/162590.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/162590.php Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute (MRRI), the research arm of MossRehab, one of the world's leading clinical rehabilitation centers, has launched an ambitious research study to investigate how the sleep drug zolpidem might restore consciousness for patients in the vegetative state. Sleep / Sleep Disorders / Insomnia Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/162608.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/162608.php Patients with advanced illnesses more than doubled their use of hospice care when a major national health plan made hospice care more readily accessible, according to the results of a comparative study published in Journal of Palliative Medicine, a peer-reviewed publication from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Palliative Care / Hospice Care