Hospice Foundation of America
E-Newsletter
Volume 5, Issue 2
March 2005
http://www.hospicefoundation.org
In this issue:
- Message from David Abrams, President
- Focus on: A Discussion with Richard Fife, Chair, Corporate Ethics Committee, VITAS Healthcare Corp.
- End-of-Life Care In the News
- FYI
- What's New@HFA
- HFA Teleconference Update
- Locate a Teleconference Site
- Site Coordinator’s Corner
Message from David Abrams, President
With this issue, you'll notice that our e-newsletter is coming to you in a new design and HTML format. Our surveys have indicated that the majority of our subscribers can utilize this format, and it allows us to enhance our design and readability. If you are unable to read this month's e-news and want to continue receiving it as a text document, please send us an email to enews@hospicefoundation.org. We will be making additional enhancements, both in structure and in content, over the next few months.
Focus on: A Discussion with Richard Fife, Chair, Corporate Ethics Committee, VITAS Healthcare Corp.
In an exclusive interview, HFA spoke with Dr. Richard Fife of the VITAS Healthcare Corporation about being based in Florida and following the events in the Schiavo case. When asked, "do these types of national stories about end-of-life care have an impact on hospice ethics committees around the country?" Fife replied, "Very much so; there has been lots of discussion in all of our hospices nationally about advance directives and end-of-life decision making in light of the Schiavo case. It has been very strange to me that this has all happened in Florida, as our state has always been a key player in the issue of patient's rights. In addition, Florida law is actually very clear that in cases such as these...."
See the full text of Dr. Fife's comments as he discusses how hospices can develop and train ethics committees; looks at some of the common issues that these committees face; and offers advice for families who are dealing with difficult end-of-life choices.
End-of-Life Care In the News
The Drug Enforcement Administration is seeking comments from health care professionals and others regarding the use of controlled substances for the treatment of pain. The DEA drew criticism recently when it withdrew its support of the document, "Prescription Pain Medications: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for Health Care Professionals and Law Enforcement Personnel (FAQ)." In a joint letter to the DEA, the American Academy of Pain Medicine, the American Pain Society, and the American Society of Addiction Medicine called the DEA's action an "unfortunate step backward" for pain management. The Pain and Policy Studies Group, a key player in the development of the FAQ, said that the DEA's actions are "likely to interfere in medical practice and pain management, while contributing little if anything to addressing prescription drug abuse and illegal activities that result in diversion". You can read the DEA's solicitation for public comment, and the letters from the pain groups on the AACPI website.
FYI
The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization will hold its 6th Clinical Team Conference, "Science, Skills and Soul: Advancing the Continuum of Care," April 21-23 in Atlanta. The conference offers more than 100 educational sessions, nationally recognized plenary speakers including Joan Borysenko, networking opportunities, exhibits, poster sessions, and more. Continuing education credits/hours for nurses, physicians, pharmacists, chaplains, and social workers are available. For more details visit the conference Web site or call 800-646-6460.
What's New@HFA
Each year, HFA publishes a book in conjunction with the annual national bereavement teleconference. The book is an excellent stand-alone resource, with contributions on a wide range of topics by experts in the field as well as from family caregivers. The book will be available at many teleconference sites, but can also be ordered directly by individuals; simply call us at 800-854-3402 for ordering information. See the full Table of Contents.
The cover image of this year's book is "Science E Charite" by Pablo Picasso. By juxtaposing the caring arts with medicine, the artwork is a beautiful illustration of the many difficult questions surrounding ethical dilemmas at the end of life. See the book cover with the image.
Alan Meisel and Bruce Jennings contributed a chapter to the book which notes that, "The main challenge facing the law of end-of-life care is to avoid the twin wrongs of burdensome overtreatment and neglectful undertreatment." Read the full chapter on "Ethics, End-of-Life Care, and the Law: Overview."
John Mulder, MD, medical director for Alive Hospice in Nashville, TN, further explores how technology can complicate end-of-life care in a case study focusing on "Withdrawal of Implantable Cardiac Devices."
HFA Teleconference Update
On April 20, HFA will broadcast its twelfth annual National Bereavement Teleconference, "Ethical Dilemmas at the End of Life." We are pleased that William Colby, JD., has joined the teleconference panel. Mr. Colby serves as a Fellow at the Center for Practical Bioethics in Kansas City. He represented the family of Nancy Cruzan; the Cruzan case is the first so-called right-to-die case heard by the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Colby is the author of Long Goodbye: The Deaths of Nancy Cruzan. See a full listing of this year's teleconference panel. Mr. Colby recently wrote an op-ed piece about the importance of having family conversations about end-of-life wishes. Read the article that was published in USA Today.
Locate a Teleconference Site
If you are an individual interested in attending the HFA annual Teleconference broadcast in April, you can locate a site in your area.
Please be sure to contact the local site coordinator listed for information about attending the teleconference at his or her location. Some sites have limited space and a reservation must be made with the local site coordinator. Individual attendees do not need to register with Hospice Foundation of America. If there is no site listed in your area, check back as new sites are added regularly.
Site Coordinator's Corner
Congratulations to Catholic Hospice of Miami Lakes, FL! This host site won a complimentary box of Living With Grief: Ethical Dilemmas at the End of Life books (a $260 value). All sites registered by February 18 were entered in the drawing.
Please remember: Book orders must be submitted, with payment, by April 1.
Reminder: If your site is offering CEUs through HFA, applicants must use the evaluation form provided by HFA; substitutions cannot be accepted due to strict board guidelines.
If you have questions or concerns about your registration, please send an email to telecon@hospicefoundation.org.
This newsletter is sent to more than 6,350 subscribers on the 2nd Wednesday of every month to keep you informed of what is happening in the fields of hospice, grief and bereavement, and caregiving, as well as what's new at HFA. We encourage you to forward this e-newsletter to an interested colleague or friend. If at any time you wish to unsubscribe, follow the instructions below. Privacy Statement: In no case will we share e-mail addresses. See the full text of HFA's Privacy Policy.
This newsletter is published by Hospice Foundation of America
Jack D. Gordon, Chairman
David Abrams, President
http://www.hospicefoundation.org
Board of Directors: Thomas E. Bryant, MD, JD; Myra MacPherson; Priscilla Perry;
Patricia Spulak; Thomas Spulak
© Hospice Foundation of America 2005
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