Many Americans have not thought about how they will navigate their later lives.We need to start thinking consciously about redesigning medical care, finances, and family life so frail elderly people can live meaningfully and comfortably at a sustainable cost to families and society. The experience of the last years of life is shaped by policies adopted for different purposes that do not fit our current needs. 

Full Article  

In recent decades, the Hospitalist has largely replaced the Primary Care Physician for general inpatient medical care. Good communication among team members and between hospitalists and PCPs can lead to efficient, well-coordinated care; however, poor communication and pass-offs can result in fragmented care and excessive testing.  

Recording the desires of patients who are on their death beds - or even noting whether a patient has appointed someone to make medical decisions on his or her behalf - is a huge gap in the nationwide effort to computerize patient care. Some hospitals and health care systems are trying to find a solution to support better care. 

 Full Article

It's often said that where Medicare goes, private payers will follow. The program's pay rates and policies have the potential to act as a catalyst for change nationwide, or to provoke coast-to-coast controversy. The following list goes through 100 things to know in order to shed some light on the many facets of and issues surrounding Medicare reimbursement.

In Dying in America, a consensus report from the Institute of Medicine, a committee of experts finds that improving the quality and availability of medical and social services for patients and their families could not only enhance quality of life through the end of life, but may also contribute to a more sustainable care system.