News

Counties with above-average Black, Hispanic and American Indian populations have been most likely to lose rural hospitals, according to a new study.

Due to insufficient planning, some costs are being passed onto patients, according to the study by Syntellis. Leaders are also worried about COVID-19 variants and staffing shortages.

In other news, the Memorial Healthcare System's chief executive plans to step down, and Methodist Hospital in San Antonio gets a new COO.

The most decorated Olympic athlete of all time spoke candidly about his mental health journey and advocacy at the HIMSS 2022 conference. Phelps said it’s time to break the stigma that prevents people from seeking help.

Evelyn Terrell, director of telehealth at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, outlines ways to ensure telehealth programs aren’t leaving patients behind.

More than 400 hospitals were honored with the Healthgrades 2022 Patient Safety Excellence Awards. The group’s report also cited four common incidents affecting the health of patients.

Many breaches aren’t discovered until months after the fact, and ‘double extortion’ is a growing threat, experts said at the HIMSS Conference.

Baligh Yehia, an Ascension executive, explains how the system surveyed patients about their unmet needs, and then worked to help them.

People could lose access to care in areas that are already underserved, says Diane Swonk, chief economist of Grant Thornton.

In an overview of the state of healthcare, leading experts talked about what needs to happen from the perspectives of providers, doctors, patients and payers.

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra and Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, stressed the importance of sharing data. They also talked about taking action against those who are blocking information.

Elsevier Health partnered with Ipsos for its first ‘Clinician of the Future’ report. Healthcare professionals say they’re worried about increasing technology demands and a shortage of doctors and nurses.

Healthcare systems must see guarding against breeches as an essential part of keeping patients safe, a doctor and top cybersecurity expert explained at the HIMSS conference.

The president and CEO of the organization said it's going to be a growing focus over the next several years. He talked about working to close inequities in America and worldwide.

ECRI, a nonprofit group focused on improving safety in healthcare, has released its annual analysis. The group’s president offers suggestions for hospital leaders to protect patients.

A University of Michigan study looked at the factors adults 50-80 consider when deciding on surgery.

In other executive news, an Ohio system names a chief digital health officer, CareFirst hires a chief diversity officer, and others are tapped for new posts.

The Senate passed the omnibus bill and President Biden plans to sign it. The package includes key provisions on telehealth, research programs and other areas of note for hospitals.

Coke, and much of corporate America, surpasses healthcare in measuring and disclosing environmental impacts.

Tower Health closed two hospitals and another suitor dropped its bid to purchase the facilities in the Philadelphia suburbs. Local officials hope to find a new organization to reopen the hospitals.

The providers are coming together in the newly formed Evolve Health Alliance. Officials say they will help each other with staffing needs and exchange ideas to improve operations.

Reducing patient leakage is a top concern for healthcare leaders. Angie Franks, CEO of ABOUT Healthcare, talks about what hospitals should be doing.

The spending package would offer a five-month extension on telehealth waivers. It would also support more money for medical research, including a new agency proposed by President Biden.

The department has announced a three-month period of increased inspections beginning today. Officials say they are focusing on ‘high-hazard’ facilities treating COVID-19 patients.

More than 200 patient records at a veterans hospital in Washington were corrupted. The problem prompted calls to delay a wider rollout of the new health record system.

Thomas Sequist explains why his mission to improve health equity is very personal.

Dozens of healthcare organizations asked the Biden administration to permanently waive the requirement of an in-person evaluation.

The initiative aims to spur innovation and healthcare solutions to help underserved communities.