ABCD Exchange : November 1998 : QuickScan - News in Brief

Upfront - Illinois Coalition for Improving EOL Care
President's Letter - ABCD is Effective
Public Policy - The Hugh Finn Case
Innovations - VA End-of-Life Curriculum
Gatherings - Florida Symposium
Resources - Roundup

News and Notes on End-of-Life Care

Portland, OR - A recent study indicates that families reported increased levels of pain among patients dying in Oregon hospitals late last year. The increases began last November, shortly after Oregon’s Death With Dignity Act took effect. According to preliminary findings of a study led by Susan Tolle, M.D., of Oregon Health Sciences University, family members reported a sharp increase in patient pain during the final months of 1997. Researchers have not yet explained why the increase occurred. Tolle noted that it may be related to the increased publicity about physician-assisted suicide, pushing families to expect more pain control, or DEA threats to investigate doctors who assist in suicide, or nurse and pharmacist beliefs that high doses of opioids can hasten death. The study included interviews with 475 families three months after a loved one had died.

Alexandria, VA - The October issue of The Quality Letter for Healthcare Leaders featured end-of-life care, including the Institute of Healthcare Improvement Breakthrough Series. The story features many IHI teams, including Hamot Medical Center, Kaiser San Diego, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The comprehensive issue is an excellent introduction to problems in end-of-life care, and activities underway to provide better care. For more information, or reprints, contact Aspen Publishers at 703.739.6444 or e-mail at customer@aspenpubl.com

Washington, DC - Brochures and booklets describing Medicare health plans can be ordered from the Department of Health and Human Services, National Medicare Education Program, designed to provide beneficiaries with ongoing information about Medicare. Other activities include the Medicare web site, www.medicare.gov, and a toll-free national number to be available next October. For now, residents in five states are trying a pilot version of the hotline. To order Medicare publications, call 1.800.638.6833.

Cleveland, OH - United Church of Christ Chaplains in Health Care and the Council for Health and Human Service Ministries has published Making End-of-Life Decisions: United Church of Christ Perspectives. Write to UCC, 700 Prospect Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115-1100, or call 1.800.325.7061.

Washington, DC - The Alzheimer’s Association announces its 11th annual public policy forum, to be held March 20-23, 1999, in Washington, DC, which will include workshops and plenary sessions on end-of-life care. To be added to the mailing list, call the Public Policy Division at 202.393.7737, or e-mail diane.blake@alz.org

Washington, DC - Hospice Foundation of America announces that its 1999 annual teleconference, "Living With Grief: At Work, At School, At Worship," is scheduled for April 14, 1999 from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. ABC News’ Cokie Roberts will moderate panels for the free program, which can be seen live via satellite. Other panelists include Dr. Kenneth Doka, Professor of Gerontology, College of New Rochelle; Rev. Michael Jemmott, Senior Staff Chaplain, Johns Hopkins Hospital; Michael Kirby, M.S.W., Director of Employee Assistance Program, New York State Police, and Marcia Lattanzi-Licht, R.N., Hospice Consultant and Lecturer. For more information and registration materials, call 202.638.5419, or visit www.hospicefoundation.org.

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This content is provided by Americans for Better Care of the Dying. For more information, visit www.abcd-caring.org.