Hospice Statements and News from the Hospice World
- September is Pain Awareness Month
The American Pain Foundation has ideas for involvement and outreach through the Power Over Pain CampaignThe Alliance of State Pain Initiatives has activities planned to raise awareness of these issues in a number of states - World Hospice and Palliative Care Day will take place on October 6th 2007 with Voices for Hospices, the global musical marathon event which has over 500 concerts around the world.
- International Workgroup on Death, Dying and Bereavement
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A study published in the March 2007 issue of the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management reports that hospice care may prolong the lives of some terminally ill patients.
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In an article published in Aging Today, Betty Ferrell discussed the importance of “Communication as Advocacy” (PDF) at the end of life. A critical component of furthering communication is the understanding of the role that grief plays at this time.
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The belief that the administration of opioids (including morphine) hastens death can be a significant barrier to effective pain management for dying patients, reports the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. A study appearing in the December 2006 issue of the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management suggests that the timing of death among patients with advanced illness involves a complex interplay of variables and that effective opioid use actually poses little risk of hastened death.
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The Maine Pain Initiative, a committee of the Maine Hospice Council, has released “Pain Management at the End of Life: A Physician’s Self-Study Packet.” This packet covers the clinical issues, ethical considerations and common myths of pain management, and includes tools for clinicians. The PSSP has been accredited for continuing education credits for physicians by the Maine Medical Education Trust the Maine Osteopathic Association. Copies of the packet may be obtained by completing the request form on the Maine Hospice Council website, or by calling MHC at 800-438-5963.
- Achieving Balance in National Opioids Control Policy
Seven new translations of this 2000 WHO guidelines document, have been added to the Pain and Policy Studies Group’s public access website. - May 2006 -
One Glorious Sunset
Pulitzer-Prize winning humorist and columnist Art Buchwald entered hospice care a few months ago. His wit and vitality are still in great evidence as he discusses his experience. - April 2006 - Jamey Boudreaux, Executive Director of the Louisiana and Mississippi Hospice and Palliative Care Organization - March 2006
- Statement from the Oregon Hospice Association regarding the 2006 Supreme Court Ruling in Gonzales vs. Oregon - March 2006
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PC-FACS (Fast Article Critical Summaries for Clinicians in Palliative Care)
The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) provides palliative care clinicians with concise summaries of important findings from more than 30 medical and scientific journals. - February 2006 -
EDELE (Epidemiology of Dying and End-of-Life Care)
A project of The Carolinas Center for Hospice and End of Life Care and The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, providing an online, searchable catalogue of over 300 web pages that provide data on demographics for people who died and their families, healthcare and community resources for end-of-life care, use of these resources, and outcome and satisfaction with care. - January 2006
