-
Is California’s healthcare system broken?
Michael Monasky Healthcare AdministrationIn a series of seminars April 26 in Sacramento, politicos, industry lobbyists and state bureaucrats weighed in on two factors beleaguering the current healthcare system in California; cost and access. The tone of the event ranged from apologia to outright hand-wringing, with insiders even confusing themselves about the 2015 Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act federal health funding bill and cheat sheet workarounds for its subprograms.
-
More data breaches discovered as healthcare stays in the crosshairs
Scott E. Rupp Healthcare AdministrationIt seems as though this song and dance never gets old; the same tune just keeps playing and playing. The chorus, in healthcare, continues to say the same thing — hackers are after health information and the number of incidents is increasing. According to a new analysis by Symantec, almost 40 percent of the hacker group Orangeworm's victims are organizations operating in healthcare. Of those, 17 percent of victims are based in the U.S., which is fairly significant.
-
A strong nursing team makes the sound of a harmonious orchestra
Keith Carlson Medical & Allied HealthcareThe nursing team within any unit, department or agency could readily be compared to an orchestra. Here we’ll find the nurse manager/conductor, several lead players, many supporting players and those who remain even deeper in the background. In an orchestra, the smallest instrument can have an outsized purpose, and the instruments that only play occasionally are still crucial to a successfully executed performance. The same may be said of the nursing team.
-
Small practices less likely to fully utilize their EHRs
Scott E. Rupp Healthcare AdministrationA recent Black Book Research report has shown that almost 90 percent of practices with six or fewer practitioners are not properly using advanced electronic health record (EHR) features like electronic messaging, clinical decision support, interoperability, data sharing and even patient engagement processes. The Black Book survey is no small sample set, either, with almost 19,000 EHR users surveyed for the report.
-
Barbara Bush’s comfort care choice spurs crucial conversations
Joan Spitrey Medical & Allied HealthcareBarbara Bush, beloved former first lady, died April 17 in her Houston home at the age of 92. She was surrounded by her loved ones, including her husband of 73 years, former President George H.W. Bush.
-
If digital health investments are on a bubble, there is no evidence
Scott E. Rupp Healthcare AdministrationDigital health funding for 2018 is on pace for a significant year, the oracle of such data, Rock Health, has pointed out. This comes after a stellar 2017, which the firm has named "the biggest year in venture funding."
-
As EHR use expands, Mayo Clinic to reduce transcription staff
Scott E. Rupp Healthcare AdministrationMinnesota-based Mayo Clinic is offering "voluntary separation packages" to at least 400 medical transcriptionists, according to the Post-Bulletin. Even though the health system is not using the terms "layoffs" or "job cuts," most medical transcriptionists "believe this is beginning of the end for their department."
-
Help your patients and staff by reducing hospital noise
Lisa Mulcahy Healthcare AdministrationBlaring alarms. Beeping machines. Loud pages over the intercom. Intrusive cellphone conversations in the hallway. Noise at all hours in virtually every American hospital is a huge problem for both patients seeking rest to recover and doctors and nurses who need to concentrate on care without distraction.
-
Healthcare and a diversifying world
Keith Carlson Healthcare AdministrationAs the 21st century matures, so too does our understanding of what diversity means in relation to the delivery of compassionate, sensitive and appropriate healthcare. The notion of diversity has expanded in recent decades, and nurses, physicians, allied health providers and institutions must keep pace with the societal changes that are continually underway.
-
Integrated systems for smarter telemedicine
Christina Thielst Healthcare AdministrationOver the last several years, integration has been building in the world of health information technology and is most visible in medical centers and healthcare systems. Visit your clinic doctor, she wants to order lab tests and on your way out you stop by the lab for the blood draw. A few days later you get a message saying your results are now on the clinic's patient portal. This efficient and streamlined workflow benefits both providers and patients.
All Healthcare Administration Articles