Hospice and Palliative Medicine

Model for Running a Palliative Care Interdisciplinary Team Case Conference

Our palliative care interdisciplinary team (IDT) meets every morning, and reviews nearly all the patients on the inpatient service, new patients seen in the outpatient clinic, outpatients in need of active management of some aspect of their care (typically pain medication), and patients under our care who have died. It’s a unique and comprehensive meeting … Read moreModel for Running a Palliative Care Interdisciplinary Team Case Conference

Concurrent Session – Delirium

Trust psychiatrists to give an afternoon session that makes you completely forget about that nap you were craving! “Delirium: A Study of Difficult Cases” consisted of 3 vignettes about various forms of delirium, complete with very realistic role playing and chock full of wisdom from palliative care psychiatrists. First there was a case of reversible … Read moreConcurrent Session – Delirium

The Devil Is in the Denominator

To improve quality, whom we measure is as important as what. by Joe Rotella, MD, MBA, FAAHPM The growing awareness in America that our healthcare system is unaffordable and fails to deliver consistent quality has led us to healthcare reform, mandatory quality reporting, pay-for-performance, and Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). We need good measures of quality … Read moreThe Devil Is in the Denominator

President Crossno’s Letter to American Medical News

Letter to American Medical News January 6, 2012 Re: Handful of States Promise Physicians Online Access to Advance Directives, posted January 3, 2012 on amednews.com http://bit.ly/vFKMvx When very sick patients are unable to express their wishes toward the end of life, nothing is more heartbreaking for doctors and loved ones than not knowing what those … Read morePresident Crossno’s Letter to American Medical News

What Is Palliative Care?

by Ruth Mugalian, Public Communications Inc. Read the full article about defining palliative care in the Winter issue of The Quarterly. When I talk about my work with hospice and palliative medicine specialists and why I enjoy it, I usually say something like this: “They’re doctors who take care of very sick patients. They relieve … Read moreWhat Is Palliative Care?

On Organ Donation and Patient Wishes

by Katie Macaluso, AAHPM Quarterly Managing Editor If you’re a member of AAHPM, you should be spotting a copy of the fall issue of AAHPM Quarterly in your mailbox any day now (if it hasn’t arrived already). Pick up this issue to learn more about the 2012 Annual Assembly, certification deadlines, advocacy efforts, and where … Read moreOn Organ Donation and Patient Wishes

Another Way to Advocate for Patients

by Emily Muse, AAHPM Communities Manager I am a planner. I create lists, diagrams, and spreadsheets for almost everything. I even use a planning rubric when packing for weekend trips. Obviously, I began my preparation for the 2011 AAHPM Washington DC “Capitol Hill Fly In” by researching my congressional representatives and senators. I wanted to … Read moreAnother Way to Advocate for Patients

What I Learned from Visiting Academy Members

by Laura G. Davis, CAE, AAHPM Director of Marketing and Membership I recently had the opportunity to travel out of Chicago and spend some time with Academy members. These visits gave me the opportunity to learn first-hand how our members spend their days. It was an enlightening experience. I spent time with Dan Maison, MD … Read moreWhat I Learned from Visiting Academy Members