SPOTLIGHT -
Dallas hospital shooting marks latest attack on healthcare workers
Three deadly shootings have taken place at U.S. hospital campuses since June. Groups representing nurses and doctors are urging lawmakers and health systems to do more to protect staff.
FTC opposes SUNY Upstate Medical University’s plans to acquire Crouse Health System
The Federal Trade Commission said the deal would lead to higher healthcare costs and lower quality. Federal regulators have applied more scrutiny to hospital deals.
Doctors treating doctors, and the risk of ‘VIP syndrome’
Researchers said some physician-patients were able to get care more quickly and have longer conversations with their doctors. A study may offer lessons for treating patients who aren’t physicians.
Advocate Aurora Health discloses data breach, 3 million could be affected
The system says there’s no evidence of fraud or misuse of information. The breach stems from an online tool meant to track patient trends, and other health systems have reported similar incidents.
VA says it is working to improve electronic health record project
The VA said last week it is delaying the rollout of the new system until June 2023. The VA said it is working with Oracle Cerner to address a host of issues, including some which could affect patient safety.
Removing racism from health algorithms: ‘We don’t have a decade to wait’
A coalition of New York health officials and hospitals is pushing to change screening tools that are hurting patients from minority groups.
Hospitals are facing the worst financial year of the pandemic. Here’s what they’re doing.
Health systems are struggling with labor shortages and higher costs. Leaders say they are boosting pay and offering incentives to recruit and retain workers, a Kaufman Hall report finds.
Fewer women are getting breast cancer screenings: 'Get people back in'
Breast cancer screenings have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, and providers are seeing some patients with more advanced cancers.
CommonSpirit Health ransomware attack: Questions and answers
The health system continues to deal with a cyberattack that has affected some systems and led to some patient appointments being canceled or rescheduled.
Oracle Cerner touts big plans to transform healthcare
At a health conference, executives unveiled new solutions and sent a message that healthcare is the company’s focus.
Women doctors are earning less than men, at all stages of their careers
The gender pay gap is seen among primary care physicians and specialists. Many women physicians say they aren’t being compensated fairly.
‘Get this right’: VA delays rollout of new electronic health record system until June 2023
The new system has been plagued with problems and drawn the ire of lawmakers. The Department of Veterans Affairs says it’s working with Oracle Cerner to resolve the issues.
Hospital mergers and acquisitions may be picking up
The number of transactions this year is on the lower side, but they are bigger deals. And three health system deals were announced within a week.
CommonSpirit Health says system hit by ransomware attack
The system says it is working with law enforcement and cybersecurity experts. Some hospitals have rescheduled patient appointments and some systems are offline.
Essentia Health, Marshfield Clinic Health System discuss merger, tout ‘exciting opportunity’
If they agree to come together, a merger would produce a system with 25 hospitals and more than 26,000 employees. The deal comes during a fairly slow period for hospital consolidations.
Health groups ask Biden to declare national emergency for mental health of kids
More than 130 organizations signed a letter asking the president to do more to help children. Emergency departments are treating more young people for suicide attempts.
Maternity care deserts: 1 in 3 counties have no obstetric services
Millions of women live in areas with no access or limited access to maternity care because of the closure of hospitals or obstetric care units, the March of Dimes says.
‘Unsustainable’: Medical groups say regulatory burdens are rising, and hurting patients
About 9 out of 10 groups say they are facing greater demands, according to a survey by the Medical Group Management Association. Prior authorization tops the list.
Core mission: Merged Beaumont-Spectrum system now known as Corewell Health
The Michigan organization includes 22 hospitals and more than 300 outpatient facilities. The system says it aims to provide affordable and equitable care.
After Hurricane Ian ripped off part of its roof, a Florida hospital is open again
HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital is offering emergency services. Ian disrupted hospital service across the state and some facilities are still recovering.
LCMC Health plans to buy 3 hospitals from HCA Healthcare in $150M deal
LCMC is also partnering with Tulane University on efforts to expand academic medicine. The deal would leave two main players in the New Orleans hospital market.
The Flint water crisis, mental health, and lessons for other disasters
Roughly a quarter of residents exhibit PTSD, suggesting many need treatment, or never got the help they needed. Policy makers should consider early action in responding to other crises, researchers say.
Most Americans don’t seek pricing data for healthcare services, but that could change
Only about one-third of consumers shop around, an AKASA survey found. However, younger Americans are more apt to do their homework on healthcare prices.
Seeing double: Half of all electronic medical records contain duplicate text
The excessive use of repeated text hampers patient care, because doctors are spending time poring over notes to determine the information that is accurate.
Yale New Haven Health strikes deal to acquire Connecticut health systems from Prospect Medical Holdings
The deal, which requires regulatory approval, includes three hospitals. The systems would move to non-profit status.
Monica Bertagnolli takes over National Cancer Institute, joins women in top research posts
Bertagnolli is the first woman to lead the institute. President Biden has been choosing women for key science roles in his administration.
Many hospitals expanded charity care in COVID-19 pandemic, but some didn't
Researchers found health systems chose to make it easier for patients to get assistance, but a small number imposed more restrictive policies. They also called for more transparency in charity care policies.
The Amish and healthcare: WellSpan Health connects with trust and humility
The Pennsylvania system is aiming to improve health in the Plain communities. WellSpan’s leaders talked with Chief Healthcare Executive about the challenges and lessons of working with the Amish.
CommonSpirit Health reports IT security issue; hospitals affected, some patient appointments rescheduled
The nonprofit system said it has taken some systems offline, and that could include some electronic health records.
WellSpan Health uses data, and builds bridges, to improve health equity
The Pennsylvania system sets tangible goals and is seeing progress. WellSpan’s Mike Seim spoke with Chief Healthcare Executive about closing disparities.