Ron Southwick

Researchers found an automated, 30-day text messaging program engaged patients and lowered their odds of needing acute care services.

Health systems are reporting unusually early surges of the respiratory virus, and they are worried about the possibility of rising flu and COVID-19 cases.

More than 4,500 hospitals were analyzed across 17 different specialty areas. The group says it hopes consumers use the rankings to make informed choices.

Federal agencies say a cybercrime group known as the Diaxin Team has hit healthcare organizations with ransomware and stolen patient data.

Researchers found racial disparities are evident in the treatment of patients for advanced heart failure. The gap could be due to racial bias, they said.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A coalition of New York health officials and hospitals is pushing to change screening tools that are hurting patients from minority groups.

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.

Breast cancer screenings have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, and providers are seeing some patients with more advanced cancers.

The health system continues to deal with a cyberattack that has affected some systems and led to some patient appointments being canceled or rescheduled.

At a health conference, executives unveiled new solutions and sent a message that healthcare is the company’s focus.

The gender pay gap is seen among primary care physicians and specialists. Many women physicians say they aren’t being compensated fairly.

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.

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.

The system says it is working with law enforcement and cybersecurity experts. Some hospitals have rescheduled patient appointments and some systems are offline.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Michigan organization includes 22 hospitals and more than 300 outpatient facilities. The system says it aims to provide affordable and equitable care.

HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital is offering emergency services. Ian disrupted hospital service across the state and some facilities are still recovering.

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.

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.

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.

The excessive use of repeated text hampers patient care, because doctors are spending time poring over notes to determine the information that is accurate.

The deal, which requires regulatory approval, includes three hospitals. The systems would move to non-profit status.