January 2022 Issue of Becker's Hospital Review
ON THE COVER
39 hospitals face maximum Medicare readmission penalties
As part of the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program, Medicare will cut payments to 83 percent of the 3,080 hospitals evaluated for the program by anywhere from 0.01 percent to the maximum of 3 percent in fiscal year 2021.
Walmart heir Alice Walton wants to reform healthcare
The Walmart heir and philanthropist Alice Walton has had a keen interest in healthcare reform and has funded a number of initiatives aimed at improving health for the residents of northwest Arkansas, TalkBusiness reported Nov. 9.
The cost of nurse turnover by the numbers
The COVID-19 pandemic wore down registered nurses, causing many to leave and retire early, leaving vacant spots in hospitals. Due to this, hospitals have been paying astronomical prices in turnover costs, according to the "2021 NSI National Health Care Retention & RN Staffing Report."
Vaccine mandates are affecting CEO recruitment: Here's how
The effect of vaccination mandates and the COVID-19 pandemic have often been discussed from the angle of employees who have left their organizations and their managers, but the effect on executive hiring is less explored. Becker's spoke to an executive search hiring manager at WittKieffer to understand how the pandemic has changed executive recruitment in healthcare.
How to alleviate clinicians' EHR burnout, per 12 CIOs
Clinicians are experiencing a burnout crisis that stems from several factors — one of them being EHR burden. Here, executives from 12 hospitals and health systems across the country share their thoughts on how to best address EHR burnout.
7 health system CFOs share advice for peers
Seven finance chiefs from top health systems across the U.S. recently spoke with Becker's Hospital Review about the advice they would pass along to other CFOs.
Mass General Brigham CEO: Capacity crisis to continue
Boston-based Mass General Brigham saw its revenue and net income increase in the 12 months ended Sept. 30, despite higher expenses, staffing shortages and capacity challenges.
Career 'hot streaks': When they happen and what fuels them
It may appear that creative "hot streaks" in a person's career are random and short-lived, but new research reveals a pattern to the productive bursts that can help encourage more of them, The Atlantic reported Nov. 1.
Former Sanford Health CEO got $49M payout after abrupt departure
Kelby Krabbenhoft, the former president and CEO of Sanford Health who abruptly departed in late 2020, received a more than $49 million payout, according to federal tax documents obtained by Forum News Service.
10 execs share their systems' best innovation projects in 2021
This year has been ripe with opportunities to improve healthcare delivery through digital innovation. Below, 10 executives from health systems across the country share the project they've been most proud of in 2021.
HHS updates HIPAA guidelines: 7 things to know
HHS' Office for Civil Rights issued new guidance Dec. 20 to explain how HIPAA covers healthcare providers who disclose protected health information to support instances of extreme risk protection orders.
Why a Wyoming hospital split the CNO role among 3 nurses
Jackson, Wyo.-based St. John's Health is splitting the CNO role among three individuals as part of a shared leadership model, the Jackson Hole News&Guide reported Nov. 10.
The art of the second opinion
Second opinions are tricky. Patients who seek them often have complex conditions, and physicians must exercise caution when delivering them to avoid further confusing patients who are already conflicted.
Lloyd Dean, CEO
Retirement makes for a big transition in an executive's day-to-day life. This is especially the case when the executive has been working since age 10, like CommonSpirit Health CEO Lloyd Dean.
Edward Karlovich, Executive Vice President & CFO UPMC
Edward Karlovich serves as the executive vice president and CFO for UPMC, a $23 billion provider and insurer based in Pittsburgh.
Ryannon Frederick, MSN, RN, Chief Nursing Officer Mayo Clinic
Ryannon Frederick, MSN, RN, is chief nursing officer at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. In an email to Becker's in October, she shared how the health system is navigating staffing challenges, and what she thinks the nursing landscape will look like following the pandemic.
Stacy Garrett-Ray, MD, Chief Community Impact Officer Ascension
Stacy Garrett-Ray, MD, didn't hesitate to take on the role of chief community impact officer for St. Louis-based Ascension.
Joanne Conroy, MD, President & CEO Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health
Joanne Conroy, MD, CEO and president of Lebanon, N.H.-based Dartmouth-Hitchcock and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health, became accustomed to monitoring her patients' vital signs during her clinical career as an anesthesiologist.
Rich Liekweg, President & CEO BJC HealthCare
As president and CEO of St. Louis-based BJC HealthCare, Rich Liekweg strives to interpret others' words and actions through a lens of respect and focuses his attention on how others want to be treated.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
The stakes for health system CEOs are higher: CommonSpirit CEO Lloyd H. Dean explains how
Retirement makes for a big transition in an executive's day-to-day life. This is especially the case when the executive has been working since age 10, like CommonSpirit Health CEO Lloyd Dean.
UPMC CFO Edward Karlovich advises peers to 'look beyond the challenges of today'
Edward Karlovich serves as the executive vice president and CFO for UPMC, a $23 billion provider and insurer based in Pittsburgh.
Mayo's CNO on the likelihood of nurses' post-pandemic return
Ryannon Frederick, MSN, RN, is chief nursing officer at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. In an email to Becker's in October, she shared how the health system is navigating staffing challenges, and what she thinks the nursing landscape will look like following the pandemic.
Ascension's new chief community impact officer on why she took the job: 'We run to the poor and vulnerable'
Stacy Garrett-Ray, MD, didn't hesitate to take on the role of chief community impact officer for St. Louis-based Ascension.
The 3 health system vital signs Dr. Joanne Conroy monitors as CEO of Dartmouth-Hitchcock
Joanne Conroy, MD, CEO and president of Lebanon, N.H.-based Dartmouth-Hitchcock and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health, became accustomed to monitoring her patients' vital signs during her clinical career as an anesthesiologist.
CFO / FINANCE
The 39 hospitals facing maximum Medicare readmission penalties
As part of its hospital readmissions reduction program, Medicare will cut payments to 82 percent of the 3,046 hospitals evaluated for the program by between 0.01 percent to the maximum of 3 percent in fiscal year 2022.
10 most cost-efficient hospitals in America
The Lown Institute released a new analysis that studied data from more than 3,000 hospitals and identified potentially $8 billion in Medicare savings.
7 health system CFOs share advice for peers
Seven finance chiefs from top health systems across the U.S. recently spoke with Becker's Hospital Review about the advice they would pass along to other CFOs.
CHS doesn't expect ER volumes to fully bounce back post pandemic
Community Health Systems' executives discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected patient volumes and shared predictions for the year ahead during an event Nov. 8 sponsored by Credit Suisse.
8 hospital deals called off in past year
There were several hospital mergers, acquisitions and partnerships that, at some point in their lifetime, were called off in the past year.
CEO/STRATEGY
Novant Health must pay $10M to former exec in discrimination case
A former Novant Health executive who claimed in a lawsuit he was fired to help the organization reach diversity goals was awarded $10 million by a federal jury Oct. 22.
Advocate Aurora Health invests $93M to boost minimum wage
Advocate Aurora Health will invest $93 million to boost its minimum hourly wage, the health system said Nov. 11.
Michigan systems to disband 5,400-physician network
Five Michigan health systems are ceasing operation of Affirmant Health Partners, their clinically integrated network, at the end of this year.
The essential skills for CEOs to thrive today, according to 3 health systems
In a series of interviews, Becker's Hospital Review asked leaders to share the skills they consider essential for health system CEOs to thrive in today's healthcare landscape.
Career 'hot streaks': When they happen and what fuels them
It may appear that creative "hot streaks" in a person's career are random and short-lived, but new research reveals a pattern to the productive bursts that can help encourage more of them, The Atlantic reported Nov. 1.
WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP
Allina Health CEO Dr. Penny Wheeler on retirement and rebuilding
Penny Wheeler, MD, was born at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, the same hospital she has overseen as CEO of Allina Health system since 2014. "I tell people that I've been here for 63 years," she told Becker's in October.
CVS Health wants to push into primary care, CEO Karen Lynch says
CVS Health President and CEO Karen Lynch said the company is looking to push into offering primary care options to patients, which would increase its ambitious vertical system offerings.
Viewpoint: How everyday sexism holds women back
Microaggressions and subtle biases can pile up and collectively cause massive effects on employees that may hold them back from reaching the next level, writer Jessica Nordell argued in The New York Times Oct. 14.
Walmart heir Alice Walton wants to reform healthcare
The Walmart heir and philanthropist Alice Walton has had a keen interest in healthcare reform and has funded a number of initiatives aimed at improving health for the residents of northwest Arkansas, TalkBusiness reported Nov. 9.
Wide pay disparities found for physicians by gender, race
According to a survey published Oct. 7, female physicians and scientists at medical schools across the country are paid substantially less than men of all races.
INNOVATION
10 execs share their systems' best innovation projects in 2021
This year has been ripe with opportunities to improve healthcare delivery through digital innovation. Below, 10 executives from health systems across the country share the project they've been most proud of in 2021.
Provider-led data platform Truveta now live, secures $200M in funding
Truveta, a healthcare data analytics startup formed by 14 U.S. health systems, on Nov. 9 launched its deidentified clinical data platform, which pools information on participating care sites to glean insights on medical conditions such as COVID-19 and rare diseases.
Mark Cuban's drug company to launch PBM
Mark Cuban's new generic drug company is launching its own pharmacy benefit management company, The Wall Street Journal reported Oct. 25.
Atrium Health planning $1.5B innovation district: 5 new details
Charlotte, N.C.-based Atrium Health on Nov. 9 revealed new details about its $1.5 billion innovation district that will surround its future medical school, the Wake Forest University School of Medicine Charlotte, according to The Charlotte Observer.
CMS nixes Medicare coverage of breakthrough medical devices: 4 things to know
CMS said Nov. 12 it will rescind a rule introduced by former President Donald Trump's administration that allows Medicare to quickly cover medical devices deemed "breakthrough" technologies by the FDA.
CIO/HEALTH IT
HHS updates HIPAA guidelines: 7 things to know
HHS' Office for Civil Rights issued new guidance Dec. 20 to explain how HIPAA covers healthcare providers who disclose protected health information to support instances of extreme risk protection orders.
Telehealth, virtual care or video visit? The nomenclature patients prefer
Care that is provided virtually goes by several different names, and patients respond differently to each of those terms, according to research released by branding agency Monigle.
U of Maryland Medical System faces hourly cyberattack attempts, CIO says
Cyberattacks on hospitals and health systems are escalating, and at University of Maryland Medical System, phishing attempts are coming through multiple times a day, according to CIO Joel Klein, MD.
Where do different generations get their health info?
Disseminating health information at a physician's office is the most effective strategy for reaching all generations, according to a report released Nov. 1 by healthcare marketing agency CMI Media Group.
Google parent Alphabet launches AI-powered drug discovery company
Google's parent company, Alphabet, launched Isomorphic Labs, which will use artificial intelligence to accelerate drug discovery, according to a Nov. 4 blog post written by its CEO, Demis Hassabis.
CMO/CARE DELIVERY
Where are the 23 Leapfrog straight-'A' hospitals?
The Leapfrog Group released its fall 2021 Hospital Safety Grades on Nov. 10, assigning "A" through "F" letter grades to 2,901 general acute-care hospitals in the U.S. for patient safety performance.
Why a Wyoming hospital split the CNO role among 3 nurses
Jackson, Wyo.-based St. John's Health is splitting the CNO role among three individuals as part of a shared leadership model, the Jackson Hole News&Guide reported Nov. 10.
Where are the 18 Leapfrog 'F' hospitals?
The Leapfrog Group gave 18 hospitals failing grades in its fall 2021 Hospital Safety Grades released Nov. 10.
KFF survey: 78% of public believes or is unsure about at least 1 COVID-19 falsehood
Almost 80 percent of U.S. adults either believe or aren't sure about at least one of eight falsehoods about the COVID-19 pandemic or vaccines, and nearly one-third believe at least four of the falsehoods, a Kaiser Family Foundation survey published Nov. 8 found.
Kaiser backs hospital-at-home after nurses slam program
National Nurses United pushed back against hospital-at-home programs in a Nov. 4 statement, arguing such programs do not offer patients the same level of care and threaten to cut nurses' jobs.