February 2019 Issue of Becker's Hospital Review
ON THE COVER
Apple has quietly hired dozens of physicians: 5 things to know
Apple has quietly hired dozens of physicians, an indicator that it's serious about health tech, CNBC reports. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Massachusetts General Hospital might store patient data on blockchain through new partnership
Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston partnered with Korean blockchain startup MediBloc to explore using the blockchain to store and share patient health information, according to CoinDesk. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
State-by-state breakdown of 93 rural hospital closures
Of the 26 states that have seen at least one rural hospital close since 2010, those with the most closures are located in the South, according to research from the North Carolina Rural Health Research Program. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
4 questions to assess whether blockchain 'makes sense' at your hospital
David Houlding, chair of the HIMSS Blockchain in Healthcare Task Force, shared a set of guiding questions he suggested healthcare leaders ask themselves when assessing a new blockchain project. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Aetna's chief digital officer: 'Insurance will change dramatically'
Just over two years ago, Aetna hired Firdaus Bhathena as chief digital officer to lead the health insurer's technology strategy. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Dignity Health CFO Dan Morissette discusses CHI megamerger, Apple partnership
It has been a big year for Dignity Health, as the health system finalized a merger agreement with Catholic Health Initiatives and entered into other interesting partnerships. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Michigan Hospital CEO Will Take Pay Cut to Boost Facility's Finances
The CEO of Sturgis (Mich.) Hospital said he'll take a 10 percent pay cut to help the 84-bed acute care facility improve its finances amid planned job and services cuts, according to a Sturgis Journal report. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Federal judge in Texas rules ACA is unconstitutional: 8 things to know
A federal judge in Texas has ruled that the entire ACA is unconstitutional, and a fight against the ruling is expected to ensue, according to The New York Times. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Bay Medical to lay off up to half of 1,450 staff
Panama City, Fla.-based Bay Medical Sacred Heart revealed on Dec. 4 it expects to lay off 635 staff members early next year once it reopens, according to a news release obtained by the Panama City News Herald. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
PwC names 6 healthcare issues to watch in 2019
PwC's Health Research Institute believes 2019 is the year the "New Health Economy" will finally become a reality. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Florida hospital CEO: 'Misunderstanding' led to outcry over new policy
The president and CEO of Naples, Fla.-based NCH Healthcare System said the system's new policy placing hospitalists in charge of patient care has been largely misunderstood as distressing toward physicians, according to Fox 4 News. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
The problem with patient surveys
Patient satisfaction is an important part of hospital operations, but hospital leaders should consider the nuances of measuring patient experience before acting on survey results, according to a blog post on the AMA Wire. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
15 physician specialists most in demand
Family medicine is the most common and in-demand medical specialty for physicians, according to a study from Doximity, a social network for clinicians. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
CFO / FINANCE
Dignity Health CFO Dan Morissette discusses CHI megamerger, Apple partnership
It has been a big year for Dignity Health, as the health system finalized a merger agreement with Catholic Health Initiatives and entered into other interesting partnerships. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUEhtml
Kentucky hospital files for bankruptcy
Pineville (Ky.) Community Hospital Association filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on Nov. 29. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
4 hospitals in Oklahoma and Tennessee miss payroll
Several hospitals in Oklahoma and Tennessee managed by the same company missed payroll, prompting one CEO to resign. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Separately owned hospitals in Missouri capital 'not sustainable,' St. Mary's president says
St. Louis-based SSM Health is in talks to sell its Jefferson City, Mo.-based St. Mary's Hospital to a local competitor after deciding that having two separately owned hospitals in town is not sustainable, according to the News Tribune. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Michigan hospital CEO will take pay cut to boost facility's finances
The CEO of Sturgis (Mich.) Hospital said he'll take a 10 percent pay cut to help the 84-bed acute care facility improve its finances amid planned job and services cuts, according to a Sturgis Journal report. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Outlook is negative for nonprofit hospital sector, Moody's says
Moody's Investors Service has issued a negative outlook on the nonprofit healthcare and hospital sector for 2019. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
UnitedHealth purchase price of DaVita Medical Group falls $560M
DaVita Medical Group has agreed to sell to UnitedHealth Group and its subsidiary for roughly $560 million less than the previous $4.9 billion acquisition price, the Star Tribune reports. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Trinity Health gets $86M revenue boost from new hospital
Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health recorded higher revenue and operating income in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019 than in the year prior, according to unaudited financial documents. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
UPMC Pinnacle to close hospital
Harrisburg, Pa.-based UPMC Pinnacle plans to close its hospital in Lancaster, Pa., early next year and transition inpatient services to another facility. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Healthcare spending hit $3.5T in 2017
Growth in national healthcare expenditures slowed to 3.9 percent in 2017 due to slower spending growth across most categories, including hospital care and physician services, according to CMS data first published by Health Affairs. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Partners HealthCare's annual operating income soars 489%
Boston-based Partners HealthCare saw its operating income rise in fiscal year 2018 despite a decline in revenues, according to financial documents released Dec. 7. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Envision, UnitedHealthcare extend contract: 5 things to know
UnitedHealthcare and Nashville, Tenn.-based Envision Healthcare, one of the country's largest providers of emergency room services, agreed to extend their contract, effective Jan. 1. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
State-by-state breakdown of 93 rural hospital closures
Of the 26 states that have seen at least one rural hospital close since 2010, those with the most closures are located in the South, according to research from the North Carolina Rural Health Research Program. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Aetna's chief digital officer: 'Insurance will change dramatically'
Just over two years ago, Aetna hired Firdaus Bhathena as chief digital officer to lead the health insurer's technology strategy. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
CMS updates hospital price transparency requirement — again
CMS published an additional FAQ document that provides guidance for hospitals required to post their standard charges online. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
South Carolina hospital closes after 63 years
Fairfield Memorial Hospital in Winnsboro, S.C., the only hospital in its county, closed Dec. 18. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
CEO / STRATEGY
Federal judge in Texas rules ACA is unconstitutional: 8 things to know
A federal judge in Texas has ruled that the entire ACA is unconstitutional, and a fight against the ruling is expected to ensue, according to The New York Times. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Nurses fill less than 25% of leadership roles at most healthcare organizations
Nurse leaders are critical to hospital care, but too few nurses enter the leadership pipeline, according to an NEJM Catalyst survey. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Bay Medical to lay off up to half of 1,450 staff
Panama City, Fla.-based Bay Medical Sacred Heart revealed on Dec. 4 it expects to lay off 635 staff members early next year once it reopens, according to a news release obtained by the Panama City News Herald. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
CHS appoints new director: 5 things to know
Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems has appointed Elizabeth T. Hirsch to its board of directors. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Jefferson Health, Boston Medical Center + 5 systems join Medicaid project
The Medicaid Transformation Project added seven health systems to its national effort to transform how care is delivered to vulnerable populations. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
PwC names 6 healthcare issues to watch in 2019
PwC's Health Research Institute believes 2019 is the year the "New Health Economy" will finally become a reality. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
New University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics CEO: Growth is 'critical to our future'
Iowa City-based University of Iowa Healthcare recently has focused on expanding its footprint across the state, and Suresh Gunasekaran, the new president and CEO of UI Hospitals and Clinics, does not expect the growth mindset to change anytime soon, he told The Gazette. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Acadia Healthcare fires CEO
Franklin, Tenn.-based Acadia Healthcare has removed chairman and CEO Joey Jacobs from his roles with the company. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
St. Luke's Health System to cut positions, add 300 in redesign
Boise, Idaho-based St. Luke's Health System confirmed it will eliminate positions and create about 300 new ones as it redesigns the organization under a new population health model. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Former Cleveland Clinic executive gets prison time in $2.7M fraud scheme
The former executive director of Cleveland Clinic Innovations, the development and commercialization arm of Cleveland Clinic, was sentenced Dec. 19 to 30 months in prison for his role in a fraud scheme, according to the Department of Justice. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Meet the 1st hospitals to join Humana's national value-based network
Cleveland Clinic Florida in Weston and Cincinnati-based TriHealth are among the first hospitals to join Humana's national value-based Hospital Incentive Program, which reimburses hospitals based on quality improvement and performance metrics. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Obama, Bill Gates + 3 other leaders on their top business book picks
Some of the world's most successful leaders have one thing in common in terms of their daily routine: They're all avid readers. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Healthcare organizations will face these 23 risks next year, analysis says
Revenue cycle issues such as denials management and patient access are among the risk areas for healthcare organizations next year, according to an analysis from Crowe, a public accounting, consulting and technology firm. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
CIO / HEALTH IT
Apple has quietly hired dozens of physicians: 5 things to know
Apple has quietly hired dozens of physicians, an indicator that it's serious about health tech, CNBC reports. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Apple patents wireless earbuds with biometric sensors: 4 notes
Apple is looking to add health-monitoring features to its wireless earbuds, AirPods, according to a newly awarded patent reported by The Verge. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Apple Watch's ECG app is officially here: 5 things to know
The Apple Watch now offers two features OK'd for medical use, thanks to an update the Cupertino, Calif.-based tech maker released Dec. 6. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
GE files IPO to spin out its health unit: 5 things to know
General Electric confidentially filed to take its healthcare unit public, progressing its plans to spin the company out into a separate entity, Bloomberg reports. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
4 questions to assess whether blockchain 'makes sense' at your hospital
David Houlding, chair of the HIMSS Blockchain in Healthcare Task Force, shared a set of guiding questions he suggested healthcare leaders ask themselves when assessing a new blockchain project. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Tablets, inpatient portals for patients linked with lower readmission rates, study finds
Offering patients access to an inpatient portal is correlated with lower 30-day readmission rates, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Suki CEO Punit Soni on why automated clinical documentation is just the 'tip of the iceberg' & more
Punit Soni, CEO and co-founder of Suki, an artificial intelligence, voice-enabled digital assistant for physicians, discusses how voice technology is helping decrease physician burnout as well as his predictions for how voice recognition software will affect the future clinician experience. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
64% of execs worry about losing their jobs throughout a new EHR rollout
More than half of healthcare executives — 64 percent — expressed concern about the future of their employment during an EHR implementation or replacement, according to a seven yearslong survey commissioned by Black Book. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Former Cerner president Zane Burke heads to wearables company
Livongo Health, a wearables company aimed at chronic disease management, tapped former president of Cerner Zane Burke as its CEO, according to Crain's Chicago Business. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Massachusetts General Hospital might store patient data on blockchain through new partnership
Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston partnered with Korean blockchain startup MediBloc to explore using the blockchain to store and share patient health information, according to CoinDesk. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Medical record errors are common, hard to fix, report finds
Patients often struggle to have errors in their medical records corrected, according to a recent CNBC report. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Primary care physicians most likely to report EHR-related burnout, study finds
EHR-related burnout hits some physician specialties more than others, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Change Healthcare buys health-focused blockchain startup
Change Healthcare has acquired PokitDok, a platform-as-a-service company for healthcare that uses advanced blockchain and application programming interface technologies. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
CMO / CARE DELIVERY
Florida hospital CEO: 'Misunderstanding' led to outcry over new policy
The president and CEO of Naples, Fla.-based NCH Healthcare System said the system's new policy placing hospitalists in charge of patient care has been largely misunderstood as distressing toward physicians, according to Fox 4 News. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Stethoscopes carry broad range of bacteria — even after cleaning
Stethoscopes used in hospitals often contain a broad range of bacteria, according to a study published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
How this Intermountain nurse comforts deceased patients' families
A registered nurse at Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Medical Center is responsible for spearheading an initiative to comfort the families of patients who died at the hospital's respiratory intensive care unit, reports KSL TV. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Seattle woman dies of brain-eating amoeba after using tap water in neti pot
Clinicians at Seattle-based Swedish Medical Center witnessed the nation's first fatal case of a Balamuthia mandrillaris brain infection linked to improper nasal irrigation with tap water, according to a case study published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Why this family heirloom could reveal how 1918 flu pandemic spread
Human tissue slides passed down to descendants of a British military physician and shared with researchers could help unearth new information about the 1918 Spanish flu, reports STAT. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Stressed surgeon makes up to 66% more mistakes, study finds
Surgeons who are stressed out in the operating room may make up to 66 percent more errors, according to a study published in the British Journal of Surgery. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Joint Commission to add more suicide risk screening requirements for hospitals
The Joint Commission will require healthcare organizations to maintain screening tools and other procedures for patients at risk of suicide as part of its accreditation process, starting July 1, 2019. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
23K patients received ineffective vaccines from California health clinic
About 23,000 patients may have received ineffective vaccines or medications between October 2017 and November 2018 at Ventura, Calif.-based Ventura County Health Care Agency, according to VC Star. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Olympus settles federal scope investigation for $85M
Olympus Medical Systems Corp. will pay $85 million to settle federal charges alleging it failed to file adverse event reports regarding bacterial infections linked to its duodenoscopes and continued to sell the devices despite infection risks. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Nurses seldom disciplined for sexual misconduct, study finds
Fewer than 900 nurses have been reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank for sexual misconduct in the last 14 years, according to a study published in Public Health Nursing. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
The problem with patient surveys
Patient satisfaction is an important part of hospital operations, but hospital leaders should consider the nuances of measuring patient experience before acting on survey results, according to a blog post on the AMA Wire. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
49% of nurses have considered leaving the profession in the last 2 years, study finds
Nurses continue to consider leaving their profession amid complaints of burnout, overwork and harassment, according to a new study by RNnetwork, a travel nurse staffing agency. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
15 physician specialists most in demand
Family medicine is the most common and in-demand medical specialty for physicians, according to a study from Doximity, a social network for clinicians. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
30% of hospitals have violated EMTALA, investigation finds
Nearly one-third of U.S. hospitals have violated emergency department care standards set by the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act in the last decade, according to an investigative report from WebMD and Georgia Health News. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Fitbit data could help hospitals battle nurse fatigue
A UW-Madison School of Nursing professor is using fitness trackers to monitor nurse movement in hospitals and reveal what causes nurse fatigue during hospital shifts. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Christus Health CNO Debi Pasley on why healthcare isn't innovating faster
Debi Pasley, MS, BS, RN, is system senior vice president and CNO of Irving, Texas-based Christus Health, a system with more than 600 facilities, including more than 60 hospitals and long-term care facilities. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
How Flagler Hospital's physician IT crew helps promote groupness & new technology: Q&A with CIO Bill Rieger
Bill Rieger, CIO at Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine, Fla., shares insights on the health system's process to best define digital patient engagement to meet the needs of the consumer as well as his best advice for motivating teams. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
NewYork-Presbyterian CIO Daniel Barchi on the strategic initiative he'll tackle in 2019
Becker's caught up with technology executive Daniel Barchi, CIO and group senior vice president NewYork-Presbyterian, to discuss the primary initiative he will focus on next year and what greatness looks like when it comes to the people he works with. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Michael Dowling: What to expect from 2019
While the last two years seem to be defined by looming threats of major legislative changes, you don’t have to be Nostradamus to predict that 2019 will likely see a policy vacuum in Washington, considering the intense discord between the president and a divided Congress. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
Corner Office: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia CEO Madeline Bell on how to cultivate culture
Few people can claim to know pediatric healthcare as well as Madeline Bell. She began her career over three decades ago as a nurse at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and, after rising through the leadership ranks, she now runs the organization as president and CEO. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE