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A statewide resource on end-of-life issues                UPDATE   
 
March 21, 2012 Volume 6, Number 1                  

HomeCCCC In Action

Join or Renew your CCCC Membership Now!

Take advantage of reduced rates for trainings & resources and, more importantly, be a part of the statewide movement to ensure that all Californians with serious or terminal illnesses receive quality, compassionate care. Join now!

 

New Report Released: Californians' Attitudes & Experiences with Death & Dying

The California HealthCare Foundation in collaboration with CCCC has released Final Chapter: Californians' Attitudes & Experiences with Death & Dying. The report, based on a survey of Californians, found that while 82% say that it is important to put their wishes in writing, less than one quarter have actually done so. Read the press release.

 

Presentations from CCCC's Annual Conference & the National POLST Conference Now Available

Over 250 people gathered in San Diego on February 15 - 16 to network and hear the latest on palliative medicine, end-of-life care and POLST. If you weren't able to attend, you can view the presenters' PowerPoints to see what you missed!

  

Upcoming POLST Workshop in the SF Bay Area

Beginning the Conversation - May 8

Come learn the latest about POLST and enhance your skills to facilitate meaningful conversations with patients and families about POLST and goals of care at this one-day workshop in Oakland. Register now.

  

 

California Updates

Palliative Care Now in 94% of California Public Hospitals

A collaboration among the California HealthCare Foundation, the Safety Net Institute and UCSF's Palliative Care Leadership Center has resulted in development of successful and sustainable palliative care services in public hospitals throughout California.   

                                                           

New Report: Hospital-Based Palliative Care in California Hospitals

When Compassion Is the Cure: Progress and Promise in Hospital-Based Palliative Care produced by the National Health Foundation and the University of California at San Francisco Palliative Care Leadership Center and released by the California HealthCare Foundation, profiles the state of palliative care in California's acute care hospitals. The survey found that 53% of hospitals now have a palliative care program, up from 43% in 2007.

  

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Announcements

Drop in Length of Service in Nation's Hospices in 2010

The National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization's annual report shows the number of patients served by hospice remains fairly constant at 1.58 million in 2010. However, there was a drop in length of service - both median (from 21.1 days in 2009 to 19.7 days in 2010) and average (from 69 days in 2009 to 67.4 days in 2010).

 

Consider the Conversation Wins Award of Excellence

Consider the Conversation: A Documentary on a Taboo Subject has been recognized in an international film and television competition for its "use of film for social change." The film takes a personal look at the emotional, spiritual, physical and social burdens associated with the shift that has occurred with end-of-life care.

   

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People on the Move

Last Acts of Kindness Wins Award

Last Acts of Kindness by Redwing Keyssar has won the American Journal of Nursing 2011 Book of the Year Award.

 

Mike Rabow Receives Cunniff-Dixon Physician Award

Mike Rabow, MD, professor of clinical medicine at UCSF and director of the Symptom Management Service at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center,has received a 2012 Hastings Center Cunniff-Dixon Physician Award. The awards recognize physicians who have shown their care of patients to be a model of good medicine and are advancing quality end-of-life care as a basic part of the doctor-patient relationship.


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Education   

Compassion in Action

On Thursday evening, March 29, Ira Byock, MD, will present a free community lecture at the Santa Clara University Mayer Theater.

 

The Compassion in Action Conference for healthcare professionals will take place on Friday, March 30th, featuring a roster of nationally known end-of-life speakers.


Sponsors: Hospice of the Valley and the Santa Clara University Dept. of Counseling Psychology

Dates: March 29 & March 30

Location: Santa Clara, CA

Cost: Lecture, free. Conference, $125.

More information.     

 

Part B Billing: Introduction to Getting & Using Billing Reports 

This audio conference will provide technical updates, advice and examples, including billing for medical team conferences and rules regarding "new patient" definitions which differ for outpatient and inpatient billing.

 

Sponsor: Center to Advance Palliative Care

Date: April 11, 10:30 - 11:30am

Cost: $89 per phone line or $99 for one phone line plus the audio conference CD-ROM

More information.      

 

Social Work: Credentials, Climate and Value

This audio conference will provide a brief background of the hospice and palliative care macro-level climate in which social workers operate.

 

Sponsor: Center to Advance Palliative Care

Date: May 15, 10:30 - 11:30am

Cost: $89 per phone line or $99 for one phone line plus the audio conference CD-ROM

More information.     

 

Transitions and Best Practices

20th Annual Hospice and Palliative Care Conference focusing on best practices in palliative care.

 

Sponsors: VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System

Date: June 7

Location: Fort MacArthur, San Pedro, CA

Brochure including registration, fees and CE information will be available in April 2012

Contact: Marcie.Stahl@va.gov 

   

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Resources   

New Palliative Care E-Newsletter

The American Academy of Hospice & Palliative Medicine has launched Hospice and Palliative Medicine SmartBrief, a free twice-weekly summary of key articles from hundreds of publications. More information.

 

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Newsletters are available on the CCCC Website (www.CoalitionCCC.org) in PDF format for anyone who is having trouble reading this email version.
In This Issue
CCCC in Action
California Updates
Announcements
People on the Move
Education
Resources
Quick Links