[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6143349,"mediaKeyId","5535762-34814249353d00b40098222f75a606c2","parentId",5535762,"title","Council updates on pediatric hospice access, long‑term care education survey and BRFSS question planning","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",1758000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5535762-34814249353d00b40098222f75a606c2&start=1758&end=1758","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5535762-34814249353d00b40098222f75a606c2/thumbnail_1758000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6143349/Connecticut/Council-updates-on-pediatric-hospice-access-longterm-care-education-survey-and-BRFSS-question-planning","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6143349-daa121bdfb6e48a773ee5ef09832b612/orig.mp4?Expires=1770817626&Signature=WmjSwzN7nlRRJ2lus6nsr81dD~8-2W0iOAKBpt6ztWUx3EohtTxnMLqQj78fvcxuMApNNLs2yHm0pUw6vBx-FHWfotCxsrmIzk0vZV1zXHx-e7RcPhD6ehhFtHDGGyxymPWc9Qq1wtjO4p6AQ1MqjtOpQUGuR~RUDUUSOzTcqxKYp0y8lLUqc0EWykX0PVgsKlk6FPVr6mgIqXt1wk1I4Aye1KXu8-vqXennkyt38iks-eOD6~yb4fhRpK4Mcql7FyRbYuHuZ97r~Dk~sXfIdGjyV3AeUjhpne5Vgv-0N4ooQPjl-NWIl7G8IWQBZrBeQCKa7X7hm2fYzl0aItJueQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Department of Public Health","date","2025-08-06T14:30:15.86Z","article","Council members provided a series of updates on pediatric hospice access, long-term care education and public-health surveillance planning.

Connecticut Hospice is actively pursuing pediatric hospice capacity, including inpatient options and a pediatrician to oversee services; members said the hospice hopes to have expanded access in its service area by fall. The council also noted a pediatric palliative-care conference held in June at Fairfield University that drew more than 50 attendees and included interdisciplinary speakers from Yale and other institutions.

On long-term care, members discussed a recurring council objective: surveying skilled nursing facilities to assess education gaps and palliative-care needs. Staff and members agreed a needs-assessment survey would be useful but acknowledged response rates are likely to be limited; one member projected roughly a 25 percent response rate. Members suggested using existing membership meetings and targeted outreach to improve participation. The long-term care survey team and state surveyors will be asked to help distribute and interpret results.

The council also discussed adding palliative-care questions to the BRFSS (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System). Staff volunteered to check how other states use BRFSS questions about palliative care and to coordinate with the state statistics team and Adora, which manages the BRFSS process, to meet submission timelines for 2026 question cycles. The council said any proposed BRFSS items should be submitted for consideration by September to meet the November finalization schedule for 2026.

A council member offered to provide federal interpretive guidance on hospice service delivery in skilled nursing facility surveys and to follow up with materials for the group. Members did not take regulatory action but set follow-up tasks to develop survey questions and to coordinate BRFSS review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Palliative Care Advisory Council, August 1, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Members reported progress on pediatric hospice access, described plans to survey long-term care facilities about palliative care needs, and asked staff to explore Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) questions other states use to capture palliative-care data.","taxTitle","Department of Public Health, Departments and Agencies, Organizations, Executive, Connecticut","taxId",15791,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6143354,"Council members report EMS failures to recognize DNR bracelets; consider central incident reporting and education",300,1443000,1743000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5535762-34814249353d00b40098222f75a606c2&start=1443&end=1743","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5535762-34814249353d00b40098222f75a606c2/thumbnail_1443000.jpg","/articles/6143354/Connecticut/Council-members-report-EMS-failures-to-recognize-DNR-bracelets-consider-central-incident-reporting-and-education","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6143354-c99d73f0bdb91d81b25c42a781ae39e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770817626&Signature=g6fOCQqHihyAfaChXTucCPQnTQ4Q7GxCpFaKgAFLfGSOD2LYxidf2h-OuyWX9HjW5tvSjsWIOwKMIMG7nrw-FO5XsQywUlgAnbYap1SSBEkoSkhW7FP2wwjWyVxKm-I4uOU1b3bUMADpn82-7yNYHE7mEd4twewAKWvgxiLW6xoplB9HYBTqrDCv9tKhQgFOe0VT2O6nxh3j8idj~SaGDlxPSFz9oo8UbiexhggHZLPWsbSm9DuBr~nd-JnSfItQCljUqzhSVwTL~vTHnx4N8Tq8MEHppVjyZapnq2DxvvCjR4T7ogl1h~wZ-66QC6Pn7YxRB~VvUe-~hfu-i3HWCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members described several recent cases in which emergency medical services did not accept DNR bracelets as sufficient documentation, delaying transfers or care. One provider said she could recall “at least three instances” in the last quarter where the bracelet was not recognized and ambulances delayed transport of hospice patients.

Members said the practice varies: some agencies rely on the bracelet recognition policy while others continue to request physical orders or documentation. Council members and hospice staff said that because many patients decline to carry paper orders, the bracelet functions as the most readily available indication of a DNR order, but inconsistent recognition by EMS creates confusion and potential delays.

The council discussed options for capturing incidents to identify patterns. Suggestions included a short electronic report or QR-code link that would allow providers to log events quickly and route the data to a single reviewer for trend analysis. Members also proposed targeted education for EMS and acute-care staff and for home-care providers to reduce inconsistencies.

Council staff asked members to submit suggestions for FAQ language and to share any incidents through the council’s channels so DPH and provider networks can consider focused outreach. No regulatory action was taken during the meeting; members described these steps as data collection and education planning.","Members told the Connecticut Palliative Care Council of multiple recent incidents in which EMS did not accept DNR bracelets or requested physical documentation; the council proposed a central quick-report mechanism and education to identify trends and target training.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6143359,"Council hears mixed reports on fentanyl access; plans follow-up with DEA representative",1597,500000,2097000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5535762-34814249353d00b40098222f75a606c2&start=500&end=2097","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5535762-34814249353d00b40098222f75a606c2/thumbnail_500000.jpg","/articles/6143359/Connecticut/Council-hears-mixed-reports-on-fentanyl-access-plans-follow-up-with-DEA-representative","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6143359-edfce960e85bf41351cadfd466492da4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770817626&Signature=goYa7~X7IB0lgEgLUB0AdPSwVVs-~eSfIrPQocuGuFQctw6IAumSASwdhHqO9kpVO9bsByyiMjsQoUk~FUDc9kiy9TZxjsaUAQYar6lDBBMqBEzH89ceZlGHTSdZnTYZjIDH3hy~CtDkSsYU4IqeyRCxawyyDASfx4clmL-QwZRAlx6V7UgFY-HPrm3BiwiN7T22Bu18Y5TUHHctgjmPBoLKQ9TpP3~lf2CQzYx-ICFptcesAmGLYeiUFquKhzEmHNAUNX0THyMsFWEyQoBQy4Keh77yF~Q-7cv9Nw0RmI--CcOgustHBvQspcOyo4DBO7OdCM81JsvdWHcb7Z1S0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members discussed whether patients and hospices in Connecticut are encountering difficulties obtaining fentanyl for symptom control and palliative care. Several providers said they have not encountered supply problems in the state, while others noted intermittent shortages in related drugs.

A council member described receiving an inquiry from an out-of-state provider who reported difficulty accessing fentanyl when transitioning a patient to a Connecticut level of care; the council asked whether similar problems exist locally. Providers on the call said they had not observed a statewide fentanyl shortage. One speaker said there is currently an intermittent shortage of oral morphine that affects hospitals more than outpatient settings.

Members discussed whether the issue could be cross-state prescribing or formulary restrictions rather than a true supply shortage. Several providers noted that fentanyl is not commonly used in home hospice in their agencies—cost and diversion risk were cited as reasons why many providers do not start with fentanyl in the home setting.

The council agreed to pursue clarification and set up a meeting with Rod Marriott of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to discuss distribution, cross-state prescribing and any barriers to access. Staff volunteered to coordinate a meeting and to collect provider questions in advance so the DEA representative could prepare. Several members asked staff to query hospice and home-care providers about current practice and any access issues and to report the results back to the council.

No formal policy change or vote was taken; the group described the plan as a fact-finding next step.","Council members reported no widespread fentanyl shortages in Connecticut but noted isolated pharmacy or cross‑state issues; they plan to meet with DEA representative Rod Marriott to clarify access and distribution concerns and to gather provider input.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6143363,"Connecticut council outlines MOLST overhaul, digital rollout and new training plan",334,736000,1070000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5535762-34814249353d00b40098222f75a606c2&start=736&end=1070","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5535762-34814249353d00b40098222f75a606c2/thumbnail_736000.jpg","/articles/6143363/Connecticut/Connecticut-council-outlines-MOLST-overhaul-digital-rollout-and-new-training-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6143363-e1a247bb5892b57aa63e5fc24f772f86/orig.mp4?Expires=1770817626&Signature=CTZwW18MHY6iu-GlSSTb5xCCWLNwwRyr72VdPz3S-235vwr-pE4kviRWG40miYea5JQl9cpdyao8SYmQOWSBzjIgePsj~MJG9WbWMDWE7cmxPJQF~fAvEXaJZ7nhT9qHhUsL3XXNI7R2MaLBSfV~loeDL9eyHBeVRch1azlLCD0~Bd9gXL13DJFUQh3EyyKF61GiIjA974XCLN7K5ZtUNG~MOT1CwXp9qxCcaoYdhsQs3spEOrVicCQGCmpzq5B~GJtylG6lqkyF2iRU35QWy1KYn3RswSOyeyNMQ-G5mI81wFkT3ZlPnrMegFbPv3AXDVHORrUMz7m8glTlhj8lmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Connecticut Palliative Care Council reported Wednesday that it has advanced a multi-part update to the state’s Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST) process, moving to digital-first access and finishing new training modules for eligible providers. The council said the paper “lime green” form will be retired and that the statutory witness-signature requirement has been removed through the legislative process.

Council members said the changes aim to make MOLST forms easier to access and to reduce operational confusion for providers and patients. The council added that the training package has three parts: a public overview, an eligible-provider module required for anyone who will sign MOLST orders, and a specific EMS training track.

Council staff said the training will be hosted on the CTtrain learning platform so that completed training remains on individual accounts, and that stakeholders will be able to download the new form from a MOLST website link rather than requesting it from the department. Officials said the rollout timing is “late summer to early fall” but adjusted their own expectation to “mid fall” as more realistic.

Council members also discussed outreach plans: live stakeholder trainings led by experienced trainers, an FAQ document to address transition questions, and follow-up communications so providers who took previous training can confirm their status for the new process. The council requested that providers who run group trainings keep attendance records and testing results so the Department of Public Health (DPH) can record certification where appropriate.

Members raised transition questions the group plans to include in the FAQs, including whether previously trained providers will be “grandfathered” and how the department will know a provider completed training when the form becomes downloadable. Council staff said they will add those questions to the next agenda and that DPH already hosts MOLST training in CTtrain, which preserves training history in individual accounts. The council said existing lime-green forms remain valid during the transition.

Council members also noted related coordination: DPH staff and council members will meet with a UConn palliative care physician and other stakeholders to review changes and training content. The council asked members to send suggested FAQ items to staff for compilation. No formal vote or binding regulatory change was taken at the meeting; the council described ongoing implementation steps and outreach plans.

The council indicated it will continue to revise web-based FAQs, update policies and procedures, and offer stakeholder trainings when the new form and system are released.

The council will revisit the rollout and FAQ language at its next meetings; staff said they will add transition and training documentation to the agenda for upcoming sessions.","The Connecticut Palliative Care Council reported progress on modernizing the Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST) program, including new online training, retirement of the lime-green paper form and updated FAQs; the council plans stakeholder training and to track transition questions.","actionData","errors"]

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