DVHC of HAP RSS Feed

Today's News: 05/24/2013

Sat, 25 May 2013 00:57:00 GMT

Member News

The Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) and Delaware Valley Healthcare Council of HAP (DVHC of HAP) are closed today in observance of�Memorial Day. Today's News will resume normal publication on Tuesday, May 28.

Today's News: 05/24/2013

Sat, 25 May 2013 00:30:00 GMT

Member News

The Express reports that Muncy Valley Hospital's Skilled Nursing Unit will change its name to Susquehanna Health Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center at Muncy Valley Hospital effective June 1.

The Patriot-News reports that Holy Spirit Hospital has attained a long-held goal of becoming a �Magnet� hospital.

The Daily Times reports that construction workers uncovered a previously unknown time capsule tucked away inside Riddle Memorial Hospital's original cornerstone.

The Express reports, �In an effort to more directly assist military veterans who are returning to civilian employment, Geisinger Health System now has both a coordinator for veterans and career outreach, as well as a new website.�

The Express reports about the ribbon cutting ceremony for Geisinger Careworks Walk-In Clinic Williamsport.

The Chestnut Hill Local reports that Chestnut Hill Hospital has achieved another designation as a high quality medical facility.

Quality & Patient Safety

Reuters reports about a web-based decision-making tool that may help to reduce inappropriate medical testing.

A New York Times columnist discusses a recent study that indicates that people with disabilities receive subpar care.

State News

The Times-Tribune reports, �Bracing for the millions in cuts triggered by the Affordable Care Act and federal sequester, hospitals statewide face an uncertain financial future clouded by a steady rise in unreimbursed care.� HAP members cited

The York Dispatch reports about the recent Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council report showing a decline in income and increase in charity care. HAP members cited

The Bucks County Courier Times reports about hospitals as the �economic powerhouses� in southeastern Pennsylvania. HAP members, DVHC of HAP, and HAP cited

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports about continuing contract negotiations between UPMC and Highmark.

National News

HealthLeaders Media reports about resolving emergency room issues as the demand for services continues to increase.

U.S. News & World Report reports that Americans' premiums and out-of-pocket health care expenses continue to increase faster rate than wages.

In a related article, HealthLeaders Media also reports about the story.

Health Reform

The Associated Press reports about labor union discontent with some unexpected consequences of the Affordable Care Act.

Medicare & Medicaid

Modern Healthcare reports that more than half of the states that applied to participate in a controversial pilot for dual-eligible beneficiaries have either dropped out or delayed implementation.

Today's News: 05/23/2013

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:10:00 GMT

Member News

The Daily Review reports that Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital is once again expanding to meet the growing demand for health care services in the region.

The Patriot-News elaborates about the benefits of an affiliation between PinnacleHealth System and J.C. Blair Health System.

The Record Herald interviews Patrick W. O'Donnell, who will replace Norman B. Epstein as president and chief executive officer of Summit Health.

WTAJ reports that Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center has been named the latest recipient of Mario Lemieux Foundation's Austin's Playroom Project.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports about Butler Health System's financials for the nine months ended March 31.

Community & Economic Impact of Hospitals

The Times Online reports about Heritage Valley Health System's economic impact on the local economy. HAP cited

State News

The Daily Times reports that Gov. Corbett signed into law a bill aimed at helping with the development and expansion of community-based health care clinics.

The Pittsburgh Business Times reports that Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative is accepting applications for the 2013 Fine Award for Teamwork Excellence in Health Care until June 10.

A Bucks County Courier Times editorial discusses the �sad ending� to a local program for seniors that has successfully reduced hospitalizations, cut emergency room visits, improved patient outcomes, and trimmed Medicare costs.

Health Reform

Politico reports, �States still mired in the fight over the Obamacare Medicaid expansion are starting to give up on their first year of full funding...�

Disaster Preparedness

The Public Opinion reports about Gettysburg Hospital's emergency preparedness.

Medicare & Medicaid

The Pittsburgh Business Times reports about why Medicare sometimes pays �wildly different� rates that to providers. UPMC cited

A Lancaster New Era editorial states that hospital pricing transparency is a �welcome change.�

Health IT

The Associated Press reports that the Obama administration says more doctors and hospitals are embracing computerized medical records.

Insurance & Managed Care

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review report that Highmark members won't be able to seek medical care at St. Clair Hospital's soon-to-open outpatient facility.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Highmark now is in the health care business with its creation of the Allegheny Health Network.

The Philadelphia Business Journal reports about Independence Blue Cross's financial report for 2012.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports about allegations of antitrust violations against Highmark.

Medical News

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports about new treatment at Allegheny General Hospital to test the effectiveness of a �bioresorbable vascular scaffold.�

HealthLeaders Media reports that the ordering and testing of blood for surgery is expensive and �overutilized� by hospitals.

Miscellaneous

A Citizen's Voice letter to the editor from Geisinger Health System honors hospital emergency physicians and specialists and their counterparts in emergency medical services.

Today's News: 05/22/2013

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:15:00 GMT

Member News

The Patriot-News reports that PinnacleHealth System and J.C. Blair Health System are exploring an affiliation.

In a related article, the Central Penn Business Journal also reports about the story.

Bloomberg reports, �KidsPeace Corp., the owner of a nonprofit psychiatric hospital for teenagers in Pennsylvania, filed for bankruptcy blaming government spending cuts.�

In related articles, the Express-Times and the Morning Call also report about the story.

The Pittsburgh Business Times reports that the Jefferson Regional Medical Center board voted to add obstetrics to its service line.

WFMZ-TV reports that Lehigh Valley Health Network is building on a relationship with a top Florida cancer hospital.

The Pittsburgh Business Times reports that UPMC is opening its first gastrointestinal dermatology clinic.

The Intelligencer Journal reports about Lancaster General Health's plans for a new office building and parking garage.

The Pittsburgh Business Times reports, �Heritage Valley Health System will close its nursing school and transfer students to the Community College of Beaver County starting in August.�

State Budget

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the auditor general's office will lay off 67 employees due to a shortage of state funding.

Community & Economic Impact of Hospitals

The Pittsburgh Business Times reports about Heritage Valley Health System's economic impact on the local economy. HAP cited

The Associated Press reports about UPMC Hamot's increased uncompensated care and affiliated employee hiring freeze.

Quality & Patient Safety

Modern Healthcare reports about a new study that identifies factors that influence patient adherence to prescribed medications.

State News

The Times Observer reports about the newly launched Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare initiative aimed at combating the stigma attached to mental illness.

National News

HealthDay News reports about a new federal report that indicates that the overall health of Americans isn't improving due to unhealthy lifestyle choices.

Health Reform

HealthLeaders Media reports about the disadvantages to hospitals in states that opt out of Medicaid expansion.

HealthLeaders Media reports about federal negotiations about the role of health exchange navigators.

Medicare & Medicaid

Modern Healthcare reports, �New legislation...is welcome news to 20 state hospital associations working to eliminate a contentious hospital wage-index provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.�

Workforce

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports about a union protest resulting from a recent employee termination.

Medical News

WPXI reports that researchers at UPMC Children's Hospital are looking at a new way to help patients with peanut allergies.

Today's News: 05/21/2013

Tue, 21 May 2013 15:46:00 GMT

Member News

The Evening Sun reports that Hanover Hospital was recognized with an �A� Hospital Safety Score by The Leapfrog Group.

The Evening Sun reports that Capital Blue Cross has named Hanover Hospital as a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement.

Economic Impact of Hospitals

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports, �Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey says he spends a lot of time pushing for funding of the National Institutes of Health because it translates into jobs in Philadelphia and other parts of this region.�

Quality & Patient Safety

The Patriot-News reports to consumers about how to negotiate hospital and physician charges.

Healthcare Finance News reports about a low-cost and simple scorecard that may help detect patients more likely to be readmitted.

Charity Care

The Erie Times-News reports that UPMC Hamot expects to provide $49 million worth of uncompensated care in fiscal 2013, an increase of about $13 million from the previous year.

State News

The Daily Item reports about the recent hospital report issued by the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council.

National News

Modern Healthcare reports that the average cost for anesthesia units is 14 percent higher than last year.

HealthLeaders Media and Modern Physician report about a new RAND study about emergency rooms and hospital admissions.

The New York Times reports that the cost of claims from the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan has far exceeded federal estimates, leading to provider cuts.

HealthLeaders Media reports about the �now transparent� federal database of hospital prices.

Modern Healthcare reports about the small Oklahoma hospital devastated by the recent tornado.

Health Reform

The Times-Tribune reports about an upcoming state Senate hearing to discuss the regional impact of an expansion of Medicaid.

A New York Times editorial discusses continuing Republican efforts to thwart the Affordable Care Act.

A Public Opinion essay by U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster discusses the �dreaded launch of Obamacare.�

Health IT

Modern Healthcare reports about health IT spending.

Workforce

HealthDay News reports about new research from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania about staffing a nighttime physician in the intensive care unit.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that UPMC will cut about 100 transcription jobs.

Medical News

The Patriot-News reports that PinnacleHealth System recently performed its 1,000th kidney transplant since beginning its program in 2000.

Miscellaneous

The Meadville Tribune reports that a phone scam is falsely using the name of a local hospital.

Today's News: 05/20/2013

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:44:00 GMT

Member News

Becker's Hospital Review reports via interview with Main Line Health's president and CEO about staying competitive.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports about Monongahela Valley Hospital's first responder kit donations to local police departments.

The Morning Call reports about Easton Hospital's new Community Care Center.

Technology

The New York Times reports about robots that help care for the elderly.

Healthcare IT News reports about the growing popularity of bed management software programs.

Quality & Patient Safety

HealthLeaders Media reports that quiet operating rooms are safer.

Kaiser Health News reports that, because of the differences in health care pricing, it pays to �shop around.�

A Pittsburgh Tribune-Review opinion discusses observation status.

State News

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports about the state's Donate Life PA campaign.

The Tribune-Democrat reports about the recently issued Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council report. HAP members cited

National News

The New York Times reports, �A growing body of mortality research on immigrants has shown that the longer they live in this country, the worse their rates of heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.�

Health Reform

The Los Angeles Times reports that residents in Republican states that are rejecting Medicaid expansion already have lower rates of health care coverage than in other states.

HealthLeaders Media reports that the Affordable Care Act has had little effect on employer-provided health care coverage.

A Daily Review opinion supports Medicaid expansion.

Workforce

Reuters reports that most surgeons-in-training dislike new rules that limit how many hours they can work.

HealthLeaders Media reports that primary care physicians have emerged as key money makers for their affiliated hospitals.

Medical News

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports about a new procedure at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital to insert IVs using ultrasound.