December 2021 Issue of Becker's Hospital Review
ON THE COVER
100 of the largest hospitals and health systems in America | 2021
Becker's Hospital Review compiled a combined 100+ large hospitals and health systems by bed count and number of hospitals, respectively.
The less-discussed consequence of healthcare's labor shortage
The healthcare industry's staffing shortage crisis has had clear consequences for care delivery and efficiency, forcing some health systems to pause nonemergency surgeries or temporarily close facilities. Less understood is how these shortages are affecting care quality and patient safety.
Northwell CEO: Vaccination mandates work
After shedding about 2 percent of its workforce, New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health is 100 percent vaccinated against COVID-19 and doesn't expect disruption to services.
Ascension, CommonSpirit and Trinity see finances rebound
The largest nonprofit health systems, Ascension, CommonSpirit Health and Trinity Health, saw their financial performance begin to bounce back in fiscal year 2021 after the COVID-19 pandemic hurt performance a year earlier.
6 things to know about 'killware,' cybersecurity's next big threat
Some hackers are adopting a “killware” cyber model, which launches attacks on critical infrastructure with the intent to harm Americans, USA Today reported Oct. 11.
Pennsylvania hospital announces closure on Facebook after feds seize records
Ellwood City (Pa.) Medical Center is officially closed, but state and federal officials are still investigating its owner's dealings, according to New Castle News.
UnitedHealthcare, Anthem behind on billions of payments to hospitals
The country's two largest insurers — UnitedHealthcare and Anthem — are behind on billions of dollars of payments to hospitals due to new reimbursement rules, claims issues and retroactive claims denials, according to a Kaiser Health News article republished in USA Today.
2 North Carolina hospital board members resign over HCA ownership
Two members of Transylvania Regional Hospital's board resigned Sept. 20, saying they are "powerless, voiceless and definitely unessential" now that the hospital is owned by Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare.
11 physician specialities ranked by female representation
Obstetrics and gynecology is the physician specialty with the greatest female representation while orthopaedic surgery has the least, according to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.
How Cerner's new CEO Dr. David Feinberg plans to take EHRs to full potential: 5 insights
As part of his strategy for leading Cerner, David Feinberg, MD, is focused on improving EHR usability and interoperability, he said during the Kansas City, Mo.-based EHR company's virtual event Oct. 12.
Cyberattack on Alabama hospital linked to 1st alleged ransomware death
A lawsuit is alleging that a 2019 ransomware attack on Mobile, Ala.-based Springhill Medical Center resulted in a baby's death, according to a Sept. 30 report by The Wall Street Journal.
Breakthrough infections may not pose major transmission risk, immunologists say
The virus shedding from people with breakthrough COVID-19 infections may be less infectious than that coming from an unvaccinated COVID-19 patient, NPR reported Oct. 12.
Texas hospital responds to photo of COVID-19 patient draped in plastic
Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, Texas, said it received a flood of threats after a photo of a COVID-19 patient wearing a plastic drape over her head went viral, ABC affiliate KMID reported Oct. 14.
Shane Strum, President & CEO
Shane Strum became president and CEO of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Broward Health in March, and he brought with him a state-level perspective.
Karen Teitelbaum, President & CEO
Karen Teitelbaum will be stepping down from her post as CEO of Sinai Chicago at the end of the year. She has been with the health system since 2007, first as executive vice president and COO before becoming president and CEO in 2014. Ms. Teitelbaum spoke to Becker's in October about her greatest challenges and successes over the last 14 years and her plans for the future.
Dominic Nakis, CFO
Dominic Nakis serves as the CFO of Advocate Aurora Health, one of the largest nonprofit health systems with $13.1 billion in annual revenue and about 75,000 employees.
Alexa Kimball, MD, President & CEO
As we move through fall and continue in a new phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, career moves and leadership changes are everywhere in healthcare. If you are starting in a new leadership position, it will take time to learn the culture of your new workplace; or, if you have moved into a leadership role in an organization you have already worked for, it’s time to think about how your new role as a leader differs, and how you can both hit the ground running and be most effective in guiding your colleagues.
Greg Hoffman, CFO
Greg Hoffman serves as the CFO of Providence, a 52-hospital system with more than $25 billion in annual revenue.
Madeline Bell, President & CEO
Madeline Bell, BSN, is the CEO of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, which recently made Forbes' 2021 list of best employers for women. She spoke with Becker's Oct. 14 about the notable ranking, as well as her recent conversation with President Joe Biden regarding the mental health crisis facing America's children's hospitals.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Broward Health poised for significant growth in 2022, CEO says
Shane Strum became president and CEO of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Broward Health in March, and he brought with him a state-level perspective.
Karen Teitelbaum says goodbye to Sinai
Karen Teitelbaum will be stepping down from her post as CEO of Sinai Chicago at the end of the year. She has been with the health system since 2007, first as executive vice president and COO before becoming president and CEO in 2014. Ms. Teitelbaum spoke to Becker's in October about her greatest challenges and successes over the last 14 years and her plans for the future.
Why staffing is a top concern for hospital CFOs, according to Advocate Aurora's CFO
Dominic Nakis serves as the CFO of Advocate Aurora Health, one of the largest nonprofit health systems with $13.1 billion in annual revenue and about 75,000 employees.
Lessons learned: Your first months as a leader in healthcare
As we move through fall and continue in a new phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, career moves and leadership changes are everywhere in healthcare. If you are starting in a new leadership position, it will take time to learn the culture of your new workplace; or, if you have moved into a leadership role in an organization you have already worked for, it’s time to think about how your new role as a leader differs, and how you can both hit the ground running and be most effective in guiding your colleagues.
CFO / FINANCE
Tower Health to close 1 hospital, sell another
As part of a financial stabilization plan announced Sept. 28, Tower Health said it plans to close Jennersville Hospital in West Grove, Pa., and sell Chestnut Hill Hospital in Philadelphia.
Jefferson Health, Einstein Healthcare finalize merger, create 18-hospital system
More than three years after signing a letter of intent to merge, Jefferson Health and Einstein Healthcare Network have finalized the deal.
Intermountain's outpatient imaging company to offer lower, flat-rate prices
Intermountain Healthcare launched Tellica Imaging, an outpatient imaging company that will offer flat-rate prices, the Salt Lake City-based organization said Sept. 27.
Ascension, CommonSpirit and Trinity see finances rebound
The largest nonprofit health systems, Ascension, CommonSpirit Health and Trinity Health, saw their financial performance begin to bounce back in fiscal year 2021 after the COVID-19 pandemic hurt performance a year earlier.
HCA shrinks Georgia footprint, sells 5 hospitals for $1.6B
Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare has sold five Georgia hospitals since August.
CEO/STRATEGY
Northwell CEO: Vaccination mandates work
After shedding about 2 percent of its workforce, New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health is 100 percent vaccinated against COVID-19 and doesn't expect disruption to services.
Walgreens looking to healthcare to drive growth
Walgreens Boots Alliance CEO Roz Brewer has shared that the company plans to further expand into healthcare in an effort to turn it into a "new growth engine," CNBC reported Oct. 14.
Connecticut hospital CEO on pediatric mental health influx: 'This is our COVID surge'
Connecticut Children's Medical Center is overwhelmed by patients seeking mental health aid, the Hartford Courant reported Oct.6.
2 North Carolina hospital board members resign over HCA ownership
Two members of Transylvania Regional Hospital's board resigned Sept. 20, saying they are "powerless, voiceless and definitely unessential" now that the hospital is owned by Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare.
At understaffed Ohio system, executives clear schedules to pick up more duties
As understaffing in hospitals continues to strain health systems across the country, some leaders at Adena Health System are lending a hand on the front lines, WBNS 10 reported.
WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP
CHOP CEO Madeline Bell on why women shouldn't leave healthcare
Madeline Bell, BSN, is the CEO of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, which recently made Forbes' 2021 list of best employers for women. She spoke with Becker's Oct. 14 about the notable ranking, as well as her recent conversation with President Joe Biden regarding the mental health crisis facing America's children's hospitals.
11 physician specialities ranked by female representation
Obstetrics and gynecology is the physician specialty with the greatest female representation while orthopaedic surgery has the least, according to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.
Can I get an extension? How men and women treat workplace deadlines differently
New research has found that women are less likely than their male counterparts to negotiate deadline extensions, reported The Wall Street Journal Oct. 30.
In healthcare, women hold 25% of board seats: 5 findings to know for 2021
The percentage of women on boards has grown in 2021, making the most considerable one-year growth in the past decade. However, gender parity has still not been reached, a new report finds.
INNOVATION
Mayo, Kaiser rally 11 systems to launch hospital-at-home coalition
Two of the nation's biggest healthcare providers are leading a new innovation coalition focused on transforming healthcare delivery outside of the four walls of a hospital.
Nearly half of employees say too much digitalization hurts productivity
Employees report spending about five hours each week hunting for fragmented information across a sea of apps meant to improve productivity, according to a recent report by Ithaca, N.Y.-based Cornell University and Qatalog.
7 big ideas in healthcare innovation
From their thoughts on how the health IT will evolve in the next five years to how to choose which digital health startups to invest in to which mottos guide their innovations strategies, here are seven quotes about the role of innovation in healthcare that hospital executives shared with Becker's Hospital Review in September:
Best Buy to acquire remote care monitoring platform: 5 details
Best Buy signed an agreement to acquire remote patient monitoring and telehealth company Current Health, the company said Oct. 12.
CIO/HEALTH IT
How Cerner's new CEO Dr. David Feinberg plans to take EHRs to full potential: 5 insights
As part of his strategy for leading Cerner, David Feinberg, MD, is focused on improving EHR usability and interoperability, he said during the Kansas City, Mo.-based EHR company's virtual event Oct. 12.
The downsides to remote-work technologies: 5 insights
While remote work offers benefits ranging from flexibility with schedules to eliminating commutes, the virtual model also introduces downsides such as isolation, exclusion and surveillance, The Wall Street Journal reported Oct. 29.
Cyberattack on Alabama hospital linked to 1st alleged ransomware death
A lawsuit is alleging that a 2019 ransomware attack on Mobile, Ala.-based Springhill Medical Center resulted in a baby's death, according to a Sept. 30 report by The Wall Street Journal.
CIOs rely on tech freelancers to fill talent gaps: 3 things to know
CIOs are turning to IT freelancers, who can fill their talent shortages and allow them to cherry-pick what expertise they need for a current project, The Wall Street Journal reported Oct. 8.
White House to shift hospital COVID-19 data tracking oversight back to CDC
The Biden administration plans to move the federal public health data tracking system back to the CDC following the Trump administration's shift in July 2020, Bloomberg reported Oct. 14.
CMO/CARE DELIVERY
Breakthrough infections may not pose major transmission risk, immunologists say
The virus shedding from people with breakthrough COVID-19 infections may be less infectious than that coming from an unvaccinated COVID-19 patient, NPR reported Oct. 12.
Hospitalizations due to delayed care put extra stress on health systems
Many hospitals are reporting an influx of patients who delayed care during the pandemic and now require acute care for their worsening conditions. This demand is placing extra stress on organizations already facing capacity issues amid a surge in COVID-19 patients.
Good Samaritan Hospital CMO to resign after 18 months
Klaus Thaler, MD, will step down from his CMO role at San Jose, Calif.-based Good Samaritan Hospital after 18 months on the job, NBC Bay Area reported.
The less-discussed consequence of healthcare's labor shortage
The healthcare industry's staffing shortage crisis has had clear consequences for care delivery and efficiency, forcing some health systems to pause nonemergency surgeries or temporarily close facilities. Less understood is how these shortages are affecting care quality and patient safety.
What researchers found reviewing 250,000 long COVID-19 cases
More than half of COVID-19 survivors experience at least one symptom six months or more after initially recovering from the illness, a systematic review involving 250,351 COVID-19 survivors found.