April 2023 Issue of Becker's Hospital Review
ON THE COVER
Michael Dowling, CEO of Northwell Health
New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health began 2023 with a low, but positive operating margin, but labor costs are expected to increase again this year on the back of recent union activity in the state.
Robert Allen, CEO of Pipeline Health
Segundo, Calif.-based Pipeline Health emerged from bankruptcy Feb. 9, just four months after filing its Chapter 11 petition.
Randy Davis, Vice President and CIO of CGH Medical Center
On Feb. 8, CVS Health entered into an agreement to purchase primary care company Oak Street Health in an all-cash deal worth $10.6 billion, but some hospital and health system CIOs say this deal isn't transformative as it isn't big enough to "rattle" the provider industry.
Simon Linwood, MD, CIO of UCR Health
On Feb. 8, CVS Health entered into an agreement to purchase primary care company Oak Street Health in an all-cash deal worth $10.6 billion, but some hospital and health system CIOs say this deal isn't transformative as it isn't big enough to "rattle" the provider industry.
Onyeka Nchege, Senior Vice President and CIO of Novant Health
Onyeka Nchege, senior vice president and chief information officer of Novant Health, based in Winston-Salem, N.C., has seen the clear benefit of investing in digital transformation for patient care and the revenue cycle.
We're going to come out of this winning:' Northwell CEO on labor challenges and the system's biggest growth area
New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health began 2023 with a low, but positive operating margin, but labor costs are expected to increase again this year on the back of recent union activity in the state.
The promises and pitfalls of ChatGPT: 10 digital leaders on how hospitals might use it
In a little more than two months since its launch, ChatGPT passed the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam and prompted major scientific journals to ban or restrict its use in research. Now, hospital and health system leaders are trying to determine where the technology could be most helpful and where it may cause harm.
10 fastest-growing C-suite roles
A number of new titles have claimed their seat at the executive table in recent years, according to LinkedIn.
Most board members at the nation's top hospitals have no healthcare background: Study
Less than 15 percent of board members overseeing the nation's top hospitals have a professional background in healthcare, while more than half have a background in finance or business services, according to a study published Feb. 8 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
How Henry Ford rehired 25% of nurses who left during the pandemic
Job flexibility is at the center of hospitals' and health systems' strategies to welcome back nurses who left during earlier stages of the COVID-19 pandemic — and some are seeing significant progress.
Hospitals suffer worst financial year since the pandemic
Eleventh-hour financial improvements were not enough for U.S. hospitals, making 2022 "the worst financial year for hospitals and health systems since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic," according to Kaufman Hall.
Amazon completes $3.9B acquisition of One Medical
Amazon has completed its $3.9 billion acquisition of virtual and in-person primary care company One Medical, the retailer said Feb. 22.
CFO-turned-CEO shares keys to leading health system out of bankruptcy in 4 months
Segundo, Calif.-based Pipeline Health emerged from bankruptcy Feb. 9, just four months after filing its Chapter 11 petition.
Novant's ROI for 2 key digital investments
Onyeka Nchege, senior vice president and chief information officer of Novant Health, based in Winston-Salem, N.C., has seen the clear benefit of investing in digital transformation for patient care and the revenue cycle.
Mark Cuban's low-cost pharmacy to partner with independent pharmacists
Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Co. announced that it is working on a new program to partner with independent pharmacists in an effort to increase access and affordability of prescription drugs.
CFO / FINANCE
Hospitals suffer worst financial year since the pandemic
Eleventh-hour financial improvements were not enough for U.S. hospitals, making 2022 "the worst financial year for hospitals and health systems since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic," according to Kaufman Hall.
Top 7 billionaires in US healthcare
An HCA Healthcare co-founder and shareholder tops the list of billionaires in U.S. healthcare.
Hospital expenses, state by state
Average hospital operating expenses vary greatly from state to state, from $70 million in Wyoming to half a billion dollars in New York.
Amazon completes $3.9B acquisition of One Medical
Amazon has completed its $3.9 billion acquisition of virtual and in-person primary care company One Medical, the retailer said Feb. 22.
North Carolina health systems defend executive pay in wake of treasurer's report
Nonprofit hospital systems are defending the pay their executives receive after a report released by North Carolina Treasurer Dale Folwell on Feb. 15 found that the systems paid top executives more than $1.75 billion in the past decade, doubling CEO paychecks in less than five years.
CEO/STRATEGY
10 'overpaid' CEOs in healthcare
The number of 'overpaid' CEOs leading large companies that intersect with healthcare decreased in the past year, falling from 17 to 10, based on the most recent annual report from nonprofit shareholder advocacy group As You Sow.
10 fastest-growing C-suite roles
A number of new titles have claimed their seat at the executive table in recent years, according to LinkedIn.
Most board members at the nation's top hospitals have no healthcare background: Study
Less than 15 percent of board members overseeing the nation's top hospitals have a professional background in healthcare, while more than half have a background in finance or business services, according to a study published Feb. 8 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
Illinois hospital CEO dismissed amid board investigation
Debbie Campbell has been dismissed as CEO of Thomas H. Boyd Memorial Hospital in Carrollton, Ill., WLDS1180reported Feb. 16.
Some Gen Zers hope they get laid off: Here's why
Younger generations aren't lamenting layoffs, Bloomberg reported Feb. 8
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
We're going to come out of this winning:' Northwell CEO on labor challenges and the system's biggest growth area
New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health began 2023 with a low, but positive operating margin, but labor costs are expected to increase again this year on the back of recent union activity in the state.
CFO-turned-CEO shares keys to leading health system out of bankruptcy in 4 months
Segundo, Calif.-based Pipeline Health emerged from bankruptcy Feb. 9, just four months after filing its Chapter 11 petition.
Nurse viewpoint: Mandatory staffing ratios are the wrong fight
Mandatory nurse staffing ratios are a temporary solution to a larger issue and will not bring about the respect the profession deserves, Kathleen Bartholomew, MN, RN, a national speaker and nurse advocate, wrote in an op-ed for Nurse.org. Instead, nurses should be advocating for charge nurses to have the authority to set ratios on an hourly basis and "get as many nurses as they request. Period," she said.
'A waste of $10B': Health system CIOs on CVS' Oak Street acquisition
On Feb. 8, CVS Health entered into an agreement to purchase primary care company Oak Street Health in an all-cash deal worth $10.6 billion, but some hospital and health system CIOs say this deal isn't transformative as it isn't big enough to "rattle" the provider industry.
INNOVATION
Novant's ROI for 2 key digital investments
Onyeka Nchege, senior vice president and chief information officer of Novant Health, based in Winston-Salem, N.C., has seen the clear benefit of investing in digital transformation for patient care and the revenue cycle.
CVS, Amazon, Optum: Health system CIOs on who will be the biggest disrupter of '2
As Amazon, CVS and Optum continue to utilize upstart companies that provide primary care, virtual care and in-home care to try to buy their way into the healthcare industry, health system CIOs told Becker's that they're betting on CVS and Optum to make the most disruption to the primary care arena in 2023.
What is the best hospital in the US?' ChatGPT's response
People are turning to ChatGPT for guidance in a variety of situations, including for healthcare needs. Mediumreported earlier this month ChatGPT listed questions about health and medicine, including symptoms and treatments, were among the most asked questions of the artificial intelligence-powered chat bot.
'Mmm hmm.' 'Uh-uh': Study says Google, Amazon medical transcription services miss nuances
Mmm hmm." "Uh-uh." When your physician answers your questions with those phrases, you understand. But the artificial intelligence listening to your conversation might not.
US physicians are experiencing a data overload
More than 7 in 10 physicians said they are suffering from a data overload, Politico reported Feb. 8.
CMO CARE DELIVERY
Hundreds more physicians died than expected amid pandemic
Just as COVID-19 led to a much higher number of deaths for the public than what would have been anticipated without the virus, during the same time physicians in the workforce saw more than 600 excess deaths among their profession.
Why some hospitals are understaffing physicians
Private equity investors are taking over more medical staffing companies, leading to physician cuts being made in emergency rooms to save money and increase profits, NPR reported Feb. 11.
The health systems bucking the price transparency trend
Nearly a quarter of hospitals reviewed by patientrightsadvocate.org are now compliant with federal price transparency rules, according to the agency's semi-annual report released Feb. 6.
'Very concerning,' says AMA leader on pharmacists expanding their scope
The American Medical Association is tracking about 60 bills that seek to broaden pharmacists' scope of practice, and its senior attorney said the legislation is "very concerning for us."
Mark Cuban's low-cost pharmacy to partner with independent pharmacists
Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Co. announced that it is working on a new program to partner with independent pharmacists in an effort to increase access and affordability of prescription drugs.
CIO/HEALTH IT
MyChart on smart TVs, two-way texting, genomics: Epic's plans for '23
After a year in which it debuted several new software programs and worked with Big Tech companies such as Google and Apple, Epic has big plans and goals for 2023.
Dartmouth pilots nursing hackathon: 'Shark Tank for nurses'
Lebanon N.H.-based Dartmouth Health recently gave nurses the opportunity to pitch solutions for issues they encounter on a daily basis as part of the health system's first Nursing Innovation Hackathon.
Russian hackers disrupt health system websites across US
Russian hacking group Killnet claimed responsibility for a cyberattack that disrupted hospital and health system websites across the U.S., according to BetterCyber, a technology company.
Providence to hire 2,000 more tech employees in India
Renton, Wash.-based Providence plans to triple its number of employees in Hyderabad, India, a major technology hub, according to local newspaper The Siasat Daily.
Tallahassee hospital still using paper records, diverting EMS patients after IT security event
Tallahassee (Fla.) Memorial HealthCare said it is "making progress" from an IT security event that caused it to take its IT systems offline last week.
WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP
Why VCU Health's new CIO is laser-focused on usability + adoption: Q&A with Ellen Wiegand
From protecting her health system's IT budget to archiving and sunsetting remaining IT systems that were replaced by the health system's new core enterprise platforms, VCU Health's new CIO and Senior Vice President Ellen Wiegand is focused on usability and adoption in 2023.
20 governors form alliance to expand reproductive healthcare
Twenty U.S. governors are joining forces to strengthen, expand and protect reproductive rights in their states.
UCSF: All-woman transplant team makes history
University of California San Francisco made history with what it believes is the first all-woman heart transplant team, the San Francisco Times reported Feb. 14.
Workplace 'mansplaining' takes a toll on women
Condescension at work is more likely to affect women than men, Fortune reported Feb. 15.
Bragging at work has its benefits
Nobody wants to be seen as a "bragger," but it is important to advocate for oneself and take credit on the job, The Wall Street Journal reported.