SPOTLIGHT -
Washington state hospitals say ongoing losses are ‘unsustainable’
Most of the state’s hospitals are losing money. During an online forum, healthcare leaders warned that more services will be reduced or eliminated in the near future.
Telehealth gets extension, but ‘Super Bowl’ for virtual care is coming next year
Federal agencies will allow remote prescriptions to continue through 2024. Advocates say they are gearing up to ensure telehealth provisions can last even longer.
Merger plans dropped: UnityPoint Health, Presbyterian Healthcare Services go separate ways
The systems issued a joint statement saying the deal won’t move forward. UnityPoint also announced the departure of its CEO.
Two Leaders in Physician Staffing Unite as AMN Healthcare Physician Solutions
March of Dimes CEO: ‘We’re not prioritizing Moms”
Elizabeth Cherot, the first physician to lead the organization, talks about the rise in deaths tied to pregnancy, maternity care deserts, and structural racism.
Oregon hospital leader wants ‘to engage differently to solve problems’
Becky Hultberg, president and CEO of the Hospital Association of Oregon, talks about the state’s nurse staffing law, building partnerships, financial difficulties and what keeps her awake at night.
Kaiser Permanente union workers warn of second strike in November
Labor leaders said there could be another walkout next month if they don’t reach an agreement with the California-based health system. The sides are slated to resume talks later this week.
The nation’s largest healthcare workers strike is over, but there’s still no deal
More than 75,000 Kaiser Permanente employees walked off the job last week, and the two sides remain apart on key issues.
CommonSpirit Health sees big potential in new value-based care platform
The system recently launched the new Population Health Services Organization. CommonSpirit’s Thomas McGinn talks about the effort.
AI, deepfakes and other cybersecurity threats facing hospitals
Industry analysts talk about some of the potential dangers in the not-too-distant future.
UVA Health appoints first chief clinical officer, and more | MED MOVES
St. Joseph’s Health chooses its next chief executive officer, and other leaders take new roles.
Nurse staffing agencies ask feds to designate temporary staff as employees
A coalition of 30 organizations has asked the Labor Department for clarification. They note some temp agencies are using independent contractors for nursing roles.
Two planned hospital mergers face review from Minnesota attorney general
Keith Ellison says he’s going to look at the deal involving Essentia Health and Marshfield Clinic Health System and the proposed merger of St. Luke’s Duluth and Aspirus Health.
West Virginia hospital merger forms new academic health system
The Mountain Health Network has completed its merger with Marshall University and Marshall Health. The combined system is now known as the Marshall Health Network.
How hospitals and health systems could do more with telehealth
Some hospitals and medical practices are using virtual care on a limited basis in some areas. Dan D’Orazio of Sage Growth Partners sees more potential.
Nonprofit hospitals need to control labor costs, Fitch Ratings says
Hospital volumes have rebounded, but health systems continue to pay more for labor costs. Fitch’s downgrades have outnumbered upgrades 3-to-1.
On strike: More than 75,000 Kaiser Permanente workers stage walkout
Union leaders say it’s the biggest healthcare workers' strike in American history. The California-based system and workers remain apart on some key areas.
Michigan hospital system says it’s suffered ransomware attack
McLaren Health Care confirms the attack and is working to determine how many individuals have been affected.
Women pay more than men in out-of-pocket health costs, study finds
Female employees spend $266 more annually than men, and that excludes pregnancy-related costs, a report by Deloitte says.
Improving patient safety requires a commitment to health equity
Main Line Health CEO Jack Lynch says it’s impossible to talk about better outcomes without focusing on closing disparities in underserved groups.
More than 75,000 Kaiser Permanente workers plan to begin strike Wednesday
Union workers have planned a three-day walkout. Labor groups say it would be the nation’s largest strike of healthcare workers.
More hospitals are beginning to see some financial gains
Margins remain below historical levels, but more hospitals and systems are reporting better earnings.
Facing challenges, Main Line Health shines
The health system recently captured the American Hospital Association’s Quest for Quality prize. Main Line has earned high marks for its focus on behavioral health and health equity.
Catholic Medical Center explores merger with HCA Healthcare
The non-profit New Hampshire system could be merging with the for-profit giant.
Cannabis nursing: American Nurses Association gives its support
The nation’s largest nursing organization says it is formally recognizing cannabis nursing as a specialty practice.
Code green: Standing up to hospital violence | Viewpoint
There is a growing movement to establish a code-green protocol that can be called when a patient is belligerent and de-escalation strategies have failed.
Texas Children’s announces new president, and more | MED MOVES
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center names its first hospital president, and Brigham and Women's appoints a chief medical officer.
Consumers embrace telehealth for behavioral health, but how much will virtual care grow in other areas?
Nearly half of those who have used telehealth have only done so once, according to a new report from Trilliant Health. Some patients still want to be seen in person.
LCMC Health wins court battle with FTC over merger
A federal court rejected the Federal Trade Commission’s efforts to block the Louisiana system’s acquisition of three hospitals from HCA Healthcare.
From doctors to students, women in medicine suffer more burnout and anxiety
There’s a significant gender gap in the well-being of female physicians and women training to be tomorrow’s doctors.
