August 2022 Issue of Becker's Hospital Review
ON THE COVER
Hospitals' spring revenue boost not enough to offset expenses
Hospitals and health systems were hindered by skyrocketing expenses and depressed margins in May despite improved revenue and patient volume, according to a June 28 Kaufman Hall report.
CMS to launch new oncology payment model under Medicare
The Biden administration will launch the next phase of its Cancer Moonshot initiative next July with a new value-based oncology payment model through Medicare that aims to improve cancer care outcomes and lower costs nationwide.
Fortune 500's top 25 healthcare companies
The 68th Fortune 500 was released May 23. The annual list of the largest corporations in the U.S. ranked by revenue for the 2021 fiscal year includes 77 healthcare companies.
Amazon, Tufts Medicine launch digital health ecosystem
Boston-based Tufts Medicine worked with Amazon to move its entire digital healthcare ecosystem, including its Epic EHR infrastructure, to Amazon Web Services, according to a May 24 press release.
Where tech innovation is needed most in healthcare
Healthcare has faced rapid change in the last few years amid the pandemic, and digital transformation is not slowing down.
Rudeness: A care quality issue
For many people, rude behavior is no more than an unwelcome nuisance. But for those in healthcare, the consequences can be far more detrimental.
The advice 12 healthcare leaders remembered most in 2021
The Corner Office series asks healthcare leaders to answer questions about their life in and outside the office.
10 hospitals laying off workers
Several hospitals are trimming their workforces due to financial and operational challenges, and some are offering affected workers new positions.
Care New England to remain independent
Providence, R.I.-based Care New England's leaders say they have crafted a plan to allow the health system to remain independent rather than merge with a larger system, CBS affiliate WPRI reported July 6.
The 18 health systems Walmart sends its employees to for care in 2022
In an effort to rein in healthcare costs for its employees, Walmart sends them directly to health systems that demonstrate high-quality care outcomes, otherwise known as Centers of Excellence.
CEO resignations hit record high
Dozens of hospital CEOs have resigned this year as a record number of chiefs across all industries have exited their roles, according to a May 18 Challenger, Gray & Christmas report.
'We have turned to AI to disrupt the future,' Michael Dowling says
Hospital systems can employ artificial intelligence to reduce the types of health inequities that have made communities of color more vulnerable to COVID-19, the leader of one of the nation's largest health systems says.
Oracle is planning a unified national healthcare database. Will it work?
Oracle's primary mission is improving the complex healthcare system with technology, according to Larry Ellison.
66 hospitals, health systems that have launched post-COVID-19 clinics
Many hospitals and health systems have created COVID-19 recovery programs, or post-COVID clinics, to support patients who experience lingering symptoms weeks or months after being cleared of the illness — a population now widely known as COVID-19 long-haulers.
Rick Evans, Chief Experience Officer, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
Virtually every adult inpatient hospital in America administers the HCAHPS survey to patients. The data from these surveys are publicly reported for all to see, and star ratings are assigned to hospitals based on this patient feedback. In addition, results of these surveys are a driver of the government’s Value-Based Purchasing program, which rewards or penalizes hospitals based on performance. HCAHPS and other CMS-mandated quality measures are ingrained into most hospitals’ goal setting and operations. The stakes on performance are high.
Skip Hidlay, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Skip Hidlay, chief communications and marketing officer at Columbus-based Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, created a collaborative culture and expanded its strong partnerships with physicians, patients and digital marketing to make its brand successful, according to an interview branding agency Monigle shared with Becker's.
Patrick Frias, MD, President and CEO of Rady Children's Hospital and Health Center
Patrick Frias, MD, leans on the advice of his former mentor to inform his professional decisions: "The foundation of any good business is service."
Robert Garrett, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health/Andre Goy, MD, Executive Director of Hackensack Meridian Cancer Center
A generation ago we spoke of cancer in hushed tones. We whispered about the suspected "Big C," diagnoses were kept secret, and that was that.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
NewYork-Presbyterian CXO Rick Evans: An HCAHPS update is needed urgently
Virtually every adult inpatient hospital in America administers the HCAHPS survey to patients. The data from these surveys are publicly reported for all to see, and star ratings are assigned to hospitals based on this patient feedback. In addition, results of these surveys are a driver of the government’s Value-Based Purchasing program, which rewards or penalizes hospitals based on performance. HCAHPS and other CMS-mandated quality measures are ingrained into most hospitals’ goal setting and operations. The stakes on performance are high.
The advice 12 healthcare leaders remembered most in 2021
The Corner Office series asks healthcare leaders to answer questions about their life in and outside the office.
OSU Wexner's marketing chief on creating a humanized hospital brand
Skip Hidlay, chief communications and marketing officer at Columbus-based Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, created a collaborative culture and expanded its strong partnerships with physicians, patients and digital marketing to make its brand successful, according to an interview branding agency Monigle shared with Becker's.
Corner Office: Rady Children's CEO Dr. Patrick Frias on embracing service
Patrick Frias, MD, leans on the advice of his former mentor to inform his professional decisions: "The foundation of any good business is service."
The cancer moonshot: Here's how we get there
A generation ago we spoke of cancer in hushed tones. We whispered about the suspected "Big C," diagnoses were kept secret, and that was that.
CFO / FINANCE
10 hospitals laying off workers
Several hospitals are trimming their workforces due to financial and operational challenges, and some are offering affected workers new positions.
CMS to launch new oncology payment model under Medicare
The Biden administration will launch the next phase of its Cancer Moonshot initiative next July with a new value-based oncology payment model through Medicare that aims to improve cancer care outcomes and lower costs nationwide.
May hospital revenue boost not enough to offset expenses, Kaufman Hall says
Hospitals and health systems were hindered by skyrocketing expenses and depressed margins in May despite improved revenue and patient volume, according to a June 28 Kaufman Hall report.
Care New England to remain independent
Providence, R.I.-based Care New England's leaders say they have crafted a plan to allow the health system to remain independent rather than merge with a larger system, CBS affiliate WPRI reported July 6.
CEO/STRATEGY
The 18 health systems Walmart sends its employees to for care in 2022
In an effort to rein in healthcare costs for its employees, Walmart sends them directly to health systems that demonstrate high-quality care outcomes, otherwise known as Centers of Excellence.
New York hospital ousts 3 leaders
Carthage (N.Y.) Area Hospital notified three leaders, including its COO, that they were being let go June 3, according to the Watertown Daily Times.
10 best children's hospitals, ranked by US News
For the ninth consecutive year, Boston Children's hospital topped U.S. News & World Report Best Children's Hospitals rankings.
Oregon hospital fires COO after 4 days on the job
Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay, Ore., fired newly hired COO Larry Butler Jr. after four days of employment and learning of his criminal history.
Fortune 500's top 25 healthcare companies
The 68th Fortune 500 was released May 23. The annual list of the largest corporations in the U.S. ranked by revenue for the 2021 fiscal year includes 77 healthcare companies.
WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP
Female execs share tips to balance motherhood, careers
Several female executives shared tips to successfully balance influential careers and the daily demands of motherhood during the 44th annual Outstanding Mother Awards May 5.
Women of color feel they have to 'self-edit' at work
Women, and especially women of color, often feel they have to monitor themselves in work environments, constantly self-editing to ensure they don't leave a negative impression, writes Joan Williams, a professor at UC Hastings College of Law in San Francisco, in the Harvard Business Review.
What 'Lean In' culture for women got wrong
While the advice given in the book Lean In helped push women to change their habits, research shows that more structural change is needed before the playing field between men and women is leveled, Bloomberg reported June 3.
How 4 female hospital executives lead by example
Gender disparities continue to exist across the U.S. workforce. However, female executives at four Ohio hospitals have been able to break down barriers and lead by example at their organizations, the Tribune Chronicle reported June 5.
A CEO's solutions to getting more women into tech
Dialogue is "not enough" to improve diversity in tech, and actionable steps are needed to move the needle, a tech CEO told CNBC.
INNOVATION
'We have turned to AI to disrupt the future,' Michael Dowling says
Hospital systems can employ artificial intelligence to reduce the types of health inequities that have made communities of color more vulnerable to COVID-19, the leader of one of the nation's largest health systems says.
Atrium, Advocate Aurora merger to accelerate digital health innovation
The merger of Atrium Health and Advocate Aurora Health will advance digital health innovation, data analytics and digital consumer infrastructure.
Amazon, Tufts Medicine launch digital health ecosystem
Boston-based Tufts Medicine worked with Amazon to move its entire digital healthcare ecosystem, including its Epic EHR infrastructure, to Amazon Web Services, according to a May 24 press release.
US consumer experience drops, but top 5% of brands win with this strategy
The best brands are focusing on creating positive emotional experiences for their customers, as other organizations struggle to keep up in 2022, according to a June 6 report from market research firm Forrester.
Where tech innovation is needed most in healthcare
Healthcare has faced rapid change in the last few years amid the pandemic, and digital transformation is not slowing down.
CIO/HEALTH IT
Oracle is planning a unified national healthcare database. Will it work?
Oracle's primary mission is improving the complex healthcare system with technology, according to Larry Ellison.
Florida health system to spend $65M on Cerner to Epic transition
Naples, Fla.-based NCH Healthcare System will spend $65 million to transition its Cerner EHR system to an Epic system, Naples Daily News reported May 26.
What's next for Epic, Cerner
Epic and Cerner make up more than half of the U.S. hospital EHR market, but they are leaning into different strategies for growth.
4 health systems switching to Epic EHR systems
Below are four health systems that launched a new Epic EHR system or announced plans to do so in May.
Florida hospitals lack data to comply with governor's executive order on immigration
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order last September requiring hospitals to collect data on the amount of money spent to care for immigrants living in the country without legal documentation.
CMO/CARE DELIVERY
Rudeness: A care quality issue
For many people, rude behavior is no more than an unwelcome nuisance. But for those in healthcare, the consequences can be far more detrimental.
Physician's viral tweet spotlights shortcomings of airplane medical kits
Physician Andrea Merrill, MD, went viral June 12 after tweeting about her experience with an in-air medical emergency on Delta Airlines.
66 hospitals, health systems that have launched post-COVID-19 clinics
Many hospitals and health systems have created COVID-19 recovery programs, or post-COVID clinics, to support patients who experience lingering symptoms weeks or months after being cleared of the illness — a population now widely known as COVID-19 long-haulers.