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Today's News: 02/03/2012

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:25:00 GMT

Member News

WFMZ-TV reports that KidsPeace Psychiatric Hospital has opened a new 16-bed unit.

The Times Leader reports about Maxis Health System's decision to not maintain a presence at the Marian Community Hospital location after it closes.

In related articles, WNEP-TV and the Wayne Independent also report about the story.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review report about West Penn Allegheny Health System's strategy to regain financial stability. UPMC cited

In a related article, the Pittsburgh Business Times reports, �The new and improved West Penn Allegheny Health System will be a low-cost, high-quality alternative...�

A second Pittsburgh Business Times article also reports about the story.

The Pittsburgh Business Times reports that Jefferson Regional Medical Center continues to expand its women's health services.

The Pittsburgh Business Times reports, �The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center has formed an agreement with an Ontario-based company that will enable it to further commercialize supply-chain software.�

The Philadelphia Business Journal reports that Taylor Hospital has become the latest area medical center to open an inpatient hospice unit. Phoenixville Hospital cited

The Reading Eagle reports that Reading Hospital recently began the second phase of its HeartSAFE Berks County program.

Economic Impact of Hospitals

The Express-Times reports that, in conjunction with opening its new 16-bed unit, KidsPeace Psychiatric Hospital has added 20 jobs in the region.

Quality and Patient Safety

The National Journal reports that patients concerned about getting sick during a hospital stay now can compare online the rates of patients getting one deadly type of infection.

National News

The Pittsburgh Business Times reports, �A federal ban on the expansion of physician-owned hospitals may be lifted by the end of the month...� HAP cited

The Washington Post reports that the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation announced a revision to its new policy that prohibited funding to Planned Parenthood.

Health Reform

The Philadelphia Business Journal reports, �The Southeastern PA Health Information Organization...is looking to the state to help fund a proposed $7.2 million regional health information exchange (HIE).� DVHC of HAP cited

Kaiser Health News reports that many states aren't ready for the fast-approaching deadlines and decisions from Affordable Care Act mandates.

Flu Vaccine

Modern Healthcare reports that a national employer health care group joined several provider advocacy groups in urging hospitals to require their employees to get annual flu vaccinations.

Medicare & Medicaid

The Wall Street Journal reports, �Some hospitals pay thousands of dollars more than others for big ticket medical devices...�

Insurance & Managed Care

The Central Penn Business Journal reports about Highmark's creation of an integrated delivery system. Geisinger Health System, UPMC, and West Penn Allegheny Health System cited

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Highmark has launched a new liaison service meant to help its customers communicate better with physicians, specialists, and hospitals.

Today's News: 02/02/2012

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:04:00 GMT

Member News

The Pittsburgh Business Times and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review report about recent growth at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

A second Pittsburgh Business Times article also reports about the story.

The Citizen's Voice and the Times Leader report about the new Commonwealth Health regional health care system. Community Health Systems and Geisinger Health System cited

The Express-Times and the Morning Call report about St. Luke's Warren Hospital.

State Budget

The Patriot-News reports that Pennsylvania revenues for January were $2.2 billion, and 0.5 percent less than anticipated.

In a related article, the Central Penn Business Journal reports that Pennsylvania has collected nearly $500 million less in tax revenue than was budgeted.

The Patriot-News reports, �State labor unions want legislators to know there are alternatives to the sweeping cuts they anticipate seeing in Gov. Corbett's budget proposal.�

Quality and Patient Safety

The Record Herald reports that Waynesboro Hospital's mammography department recently was awarded an accreditation by the American College of Radiology.

NPR reports about drug error reduction associated with computerized prescribing systems.

Healthcare Finance News lists four main reasons why patients don't manage their own health care.

State News

The Times-Tribune reports that Marian Community Hospital's parent company will not open any outpatient care facilities to help meet the need created with the hospital's closure. Wayne Memorial Hospital cited

The Express-Times reports that union leaders are protesting at a local hospital after a decision to hire a construction group from outside the immediate area.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the owner of a Harrisburg diner has filed suit against the state health secretary.

National News

HealthLeaders Media reports that a move to outpatient care saved an Illinois critical access hospital, nearly shut down by fiscal and management problems.

A Philadelphia Inquirer columnist explains to consumers the trend behind hospital purchases of cardiology and other physician practices.

Health Reform

A Patriot-News letter to the editor written by Carolyn F. Scanlan, HAP's president and chief executive officer, states, �The nationwide system for pricing hospital services is long-standing and complex and is in need of reform.�

Insurance & Manager Care

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports, �Along with Highmark and UPMC Health Plan, at least three of the region's other health insurers also say they've gained traction over the last 12 months.�

Workforce

NPR reports about how a rural hospital in Kansas is successfully enticing physician interest.

The Daily Pennsylvanian reports about efforts among male nursing students to establish a local chapter of a professional male nurse association. Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center cited

A Philadelphia Inquirer columnist states, �Pharmacists, especially those who practice at neighborhood pharmacies, are on the brink of an extraordinary opportunity.�

Medical News

The New York Times reports that nearly half of lumpectomy patients who had second operations may not have needed them, a new study finds.

The New York Times reports about a breakthrough in Alzheimer's research that could lead to more effective treatments.

Today's News: 02/01/2012

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:13:00 GMT

Member News

The Times Leader reports that Community Health Systems announced the formation of a regional health care system.

In related articles, the Times-Tribune and WNEP-TV also report about the story.

The Times Leader reports that Community Medical Center's new name is Geisinger-Community Medical Center.

The Erie Times-News reports that UPMC Hamot is celebrating its one-year anniversary with UPMC.

Quality and Patient Safety

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports about the musicians that ease the tension of hospital stays by playing music at patients' bedsides. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania cited

A Philadelphia Inquirer columnist advises patients about how to avoid too many medical tests.

State News

A Times-Tribune editorial states, �Recent events in Northeast Pennsylvania demonstrate emphatically that health care consolidation is a fact of life.� Community Health Systems, Inc., Geisinger Health System, and UPMC cited

National News

Bloomberg reports that a growing number of older people and rising health care spending are driving demand for workers from nursing aides to surgeons.

The Associated Press reports that thousands of workers at Kaiser Permanente facilities throughout California have gone on strike over contract disputes involving Kaiser's mental health and optical employees.

Healthcare IT News reports that the National Quality Forum has endorsed four measures on health care resource use and costs.

The Record (New Jersey) reports about the American crisis of medical debt, putting some patients at risk of financial collapse.

Health Reform

A Politico opinion written by Sens. Mitch McConnell and Carrie Severino states, �If the individual mandate is ruled unconstitutional, the rest of the law should be thrown out, too.�

Medicare & Medicaid

Reuters reports that government spending for Medicare, Medicaid, and other health care programs will more than double during the next decade to $1.8 trillion.

USA Today reports that, since 2010, premiums for Medicare Advantage plans have decreased 16 percent, while enrollment has increased 17 percent.

Health IT

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports about the �gaps and barriers� challenging the implementation of health information technology reforms.

Healthcare IT News reports that health-related data breaches increased 97 percent during 2011 from the previous year.

Workforce

The Central Penn Business Journal reports about Lancaster General Hospital's �Home In The City� employee incentive program.

The Citizen's Voice reports that nurses at Geisinger Wyoming Valley and South Wilkes-Barre voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new three-year contract.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that many local independent physician practices have tightened their belts, cut staff, and increased the number of patients they see.

Healthcare Finance News reports about the effectiveness of state caps on mandatory overtime of nurses' work hours.

Today's News: 01/31/2012

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:13:00 GMT

Member News

The Philadelphia Business Journal reports that Fox Chase Cancer Center and the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program are unveiling a 250-square-foot mural in the hospital.

The Central Penn Business Journal reports that Hanover Hospital opened a new Express Care clinic.

The Philadelphia Business Journal reports that Eastern Regional Medical Center's parent company, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, signed a deal to be host sponsor of the Philadelphia Freedoms World Team Tennis squad for the 2012 season.

The Observer-Reporter reports that, in honor of American Heart Month, Southwest Regional Medical Center's cardiology department has planned a heart health education series.

The Pittsburgh Business Times reports, �Forbes Regional Hospital has opened a chronic wound care center, joining other hospitals in the region that have added the service line...� Excela Health System, Heritage Valley Health System, and Jefferson Regional Medical Center cited

Technology

The Wall Street Journal reports, �Two start-up companies have created databases that let consumers search FDA adverse event reports of prescription drugs and medical devices.�

Quality and Patient Safety

The Levittown Patch reports that St. Mary Medical Center received National Accreditation for Neurophysiology Intraoperative Monitoring.

Modern Healthcare reports that the Dartmouth Atlas Project announced two projects to analyze geographic differences in health care for patients insured by Medicaid and commercial insurance.

National News

The Bucks County Courier Times reports about the growing popularity of hospital-based spa services. Aria Health System cited

The Los Angeles Times reports that a federal judge temporarily blocked California's efforts to cut Medi-Cal payments to doctors, dentists, and other health care providers, citing access to care concerns.

Health Reform

The Los Angeles Times reports that the law's mandate requiring employee contraception coverage, without exemption for religious employers, could be headed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

A New York Times opinion states, �Here's a bold prediction for the new year. By 2020, the American health insurance industry will be extinct.�

Flu Vaccine

The Daily Item reports that it's not too late for a flu shot. Evangelical Community Hospital cited

Medicare & Medicaid

HealthLeaders Media reports that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services overpaid Medicare Advantage plans between $1.2 billion and $3.1 billion during 2010, and likely overpaid even more during 2011.

Insurance & Managed Care

The Philadelphia Business Journal reports that Aetna is rolling out what will eventually become a national patient-centered medical home program in Connecticut and New Jersey.

Workforce

The New York Times reports that more doctors, regardless of specialty, are expanding their practices to include lucrative cosmetic procedures paid for out of pocket by patients.

A New York Times nurse columnist elaborates about the increasing number of violent patients.

A Daily American editorial states, �Businesses, especially health care organizations, are within their rights to refuse to hire anyone who smokes.� Geisinger Health System cited

Medical News

The Philadelphia Inquirer provides an update about the three-year-old girl at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia who is disabled and needs to kidney transplant.

Miscellaneous

PBS reports about four scenarios representing what American health care could be like by 2025, based on �the various health policy decisions, technological advances, and political outcomes that remain to be seen.�

Today's News: 01/30/2012

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:08:00 GMT

Member News

The Erie Times-News reports that U.S. News & World Report has named Saint Vincent Health Center and UPMC Hamot among the best regional hospitals in the country.

The York Daily Record reports that, once the sale of Memorial Hospital to Community Health System is final, the hospital will become a tax-paying entity.

State Budget

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports, �Job creation, education funding, and restoration of money for social safety nets are among the top priorities for Senate Democrats during budget negotiations...�

Quality and Patient Safety

The Morning Call reports that hundreds of patients across the country have been injured using a kind of self-operated medication pump involved in recent incidents locally.

Kaiser Health News reports about why the country's hospitals aren't making progress toward safer patient care.

State News

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that more independent hospitals are looking into consolidations.

National News

The Boston Globe reports about the increasing popularity of Massachusetts' �global payment� health plans that put providers on a budget.

The Baltimore Sun reports about malpractice lawyer referrals in Maryland that come from the hospital.

Health Reform

The Morning Call reports, �Gov. Tom Corbett believes the...health reform law is unconstitutional, but that's not stopping the state from asking the federal government for money to implement it.�

Reuters reports about written briefs filed with the U.S. Supreme Court in anticipation of its review of the Affordable Care Act.

Medicare & Medicaid

Modern Healthcare reports about a newly proposed rule that seeks to make adjustments to the way Medicaid pays for prescription drugs.

Health IT

The Intelligencer Journal reports that local hospitals are offering ways for patients to electronically manage their health care.

In a related article, the American Medical News reports about increasing patient satisfaction through new tools that engage patients in their care.

Insurance & Managed Care

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports about friction between insurers and providers.

The Washington Post reports about how health insurance plans with high deductibles affect the care that families do, and don't, seek.

Workforce

The American Medical News reports that hospital employment of doctors shows no sign of slowing during 2012.

Healthcare IT News reports that more organizations are recruiting for chief nursing information officers.