July 2022 Issue of Becker's Hospital Review
ON THE COVER
Hospital adjusted expenses per inpatient day across 50 states
Below are the adjusted expenses per inpatient day in 2019, organized by hospital ownership type, in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., according to the latest statistics from Kaiser State Health Facts.
The case for seriously optimistic healthcare leaders
"Every meeting I have, I talk about optimism," says Michael Dowling, CEO of New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health. "I've probably given four talks in the last two days on that theme, including a meeting with my physician leadership team 15 minutes ago."
How Jefferson Health is harnessing philanthropy to address health disparities
In recent years, hospitals and health systems have launched programs or other initiatives to tackle health disparities, from outreach programs and education to recruiting a chief diversity officer.
Venture investment strategies from Northwell, UPMC, OSF + more
More hospitals with substantial cash pools have decided to think like venture capitalists, ramping up their investments into digital health startups.
Why the best ideas in digital health are still to come
Tom Andriola, vice chancellor of information technology and data and chief digital officer of University of California Irvine and UCI Health, is bullish on the future integration of technology in healthcare.
Major for-profit hospitals' labor costs hit $12B in Q1
Three of the four major for-profit hospital operators in the U.S. saw labor expenses spike in the first quarter of this year.
Walmart heir to help build new regional health system in Arkansas
Walmart heir Alice Walton's foundation has partnered with the Washington Regional Medical System in Fayetteville, Ark., to build a new regional healthcare system.
Understanding costs and learning to listen: 3 executives on the CFO-to-CEO transition
Hospital CEOs have faced many changes and challenges during the pandemic, from staffing shortages to digital transformations.
6 women in healthcare share tips for emerging leaders
Several female healthcare leaders recently shared with Becker's their best advice for people trying to grow in their healthcare careers.
Novant Health launches innovation lab: 5 things to know
Charlotte, N.C.-based Novant Health opened an innovation lab April 21.
Physician leaders wave red flag on automated pharmacy technology
As retail pharmacy chains rely on automated technology to fill prescriptions, a group of physician leaders is waving a red flag, stating that this technology has serious consequences for patient safety and the future of pharmacy.
Nurses make exit plans after RaDonda Vaught's conviction
More than 100,000 nurses left the workforce in 2021, according to an analysis published April 13 in Health Affairs. Now a nurse's criminal conviction for a medical error has the profession worried about how that number might swell.
How CIOs can win the battle for talent systemwide
Brad Reimer, CIO of Sanford Health in Sioux Falls, S.D., has staffing issues for the entire system top of mind as he keeps an eye on strategic planning.
James Madara, MD, CEO, American Medical Association
No one can predict what the future of the nation's healthcare system will look like, but there are certain needs that are "musts" to prioritize, no matter how healthcare shifts over the next century. That's how the American Medical Association's CEO sets the organization's objectives.
Joel Day, CFO, ScionHealth
Five months since the December 2021 launch of Louisville, Ky.-based ScionHealth, the new system has been presented with several learning opportunities as it focuses on a smooth transition into its own organization, CFO Joel Day told Becker's.
Nader Mherabi, CDIO, NYU Langone
NYU Langone Health's CIO and CDO is all about creating seamless technological experiences for all, bringing value to the organization and investing in innovative tech.
Rick Evans, Chief Experience Officer, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
The pandemic has shined a light on some of the weaknesses that were present in the healthcare system before the arrival of COVID-19. Across the nation, this has included an escalation of incidences of verbal and physical violence in healthcare settings. Behaviors that were becoming more common before the pandemic have now intensified as tempers and patience have grown short and divisions within our nation have persisted.
Shweta Ponnappa, Chief Marketing and Digital Experience Officer, Providence
Providence's chief marketing and digital experience officer plans to utilize data and insights to bring the most useful and personalized experiences to patients.
John Couris, CEO, Tampa General Hospital
As the president and CEO of a leading academic medical center, my primary responsibility is to balance the care and safety of our patients with the needs of my team members. Truth be told, one feeds the other — by making sure my team is supported and feels empowered to raise issues and concerns, admit to mistakes without fear and make recommendations for improvement, which results in patients receiving world-class care.
Neal Chawla, MD, CMIO, WakeMed
Healthcare providers across the U.S. are leveraging technology to better care for patients and tackle population health issues.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
AMA turns 175: How CEO Dr. James Madara sets priorities as healthcare's agenda grows
No one can predict what the future of the nation's healthcare system will look like, but there are certain needs that are "musts" to prioritize, no matter how healthcare shifts over the next century. That's how the American Medical Association's CEO sets the organization's objectives.
'So much is new': ScionHealth launch presents wealth of opportunities, CFO says
Five months since the December 2021 launch of Louisville, Ky.-based ScionHealth, the new system has been presented with several learning opportunities as it focuses on a smooth transition into its own organization, CFO Joel Day told Becker's.
NYU Langone Health's CIO & CDO is focused on creating excellent experiences: Q&A with Nader Mherabi
NYU Langone Health's CIO and CDO is all about creating seamless technological experiences for all, bringing value to the organization and investing in innovative tech.
How Jefferson Health is harnessing philanthropy to address health disparities
In recent years, hospitals and health systems have launched programs or other initiatives to tackle health disparities, from outreach programs and education to recruiting a chief diversity officer.
NewYork-Presbyterian CXO Rick Evans: We need to have our teams' backs when they face racist, discriminatory patient behavior
The pandemic has shined a light on some of the weaknesses that were present in the healthcare system before the arrival of COVID-19. Across the nation, this has included an escalation of incidences of verbal and physical violence in healthcare settings. Behaviors that were becoming more common before the pandemic have now intensified as tempers and patience have grown short and divisions within our nation have persisted.
CFO / FINANCE
441 rural hospitals at risk of losing services or closing
Out of 2,176 rural hospitals, 441 face three or more risk factors, putting them at risk of service reduction or closure, according to a May 4 Bipartisan Policy Center report.
Kaiser posts net loss of $961M in Q1
Driven mainly by nonoperating losses, Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente recorded a net loss of $961 million in the first quarter of 2022, down from a net income of $2 billion in the same quarter in 2021, according to financial data released May 6.
CommonSpirit posts $591M quarterly operating loss
CommonSpirit Health, a 142-hospital system based in Chicago, reported an operating loss for the three months ended March 31, according to financial documents released May 13.
Major for-profit hospitals' labor costs hit $12B in Q1
Three of the four major for-profit hospital operators in the U.S. saw labor expenses spike in the first quarter of this year.
Mass General Brigham posts $867M quarterly net loss
Despite seeing a slight increase in revenue, Boston-based Mass General Brigham ended the second quarter of fiscal year 2022 with both an operating loss and net loss, according to its financial report released May 13.
CEO/STRATEGY
The case for seriously optimistic healthcare leaders
"Every meeting I have, I talk about optimism," says Michael Dowling, CEO of New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health. "I've probably given four talks in the last two days on that theme, including a meeting with my physician leadership team 15 minutes ago."
Retirement regret (and how one hospital CEO beat it)
New retirees who feel any loss of structure, identity or intellectual stimulation are hardly alone — about 15 percent of retirees have a difficult time adjusting to their new lifestyles, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Walmart heir to help build new regional health system in Arkansas
Walmart heir Alice Walton's foundation has partnered with the Washington Regional Medical System in Fayetteville, Ark., to build a new regional healthcare system.
6 ways Wexner Medical Center cut its emissions, improved sustainability
Columbus, Ohio- based Wexner Medical Center has made a concerted effort to reduce its emissions as a system, implementing waste reduction techniques, sustainable construction and local supplier sourcing.
Understanding costs and learning to listen: 3 executives on the CFO-to-CEO transition
Hospital CEOs have faced many changes and challenges during the pandemic, from staffing shortages to digital transformations.
WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP
6 women in healthcare share tips for emerging leaders
Several female healthcare leaders recently shared with Becker's their best advice for people trying to grow in their healthcare careers.
Percentage of women in 29 specialties
Pediatrics has the highest percentage of female physicians compared to other specialties, according to Medscape's "Physician Compensation Report 2022."
Male CEOs are learning to lead with 'female' traits
The pandemic encouraged leaders to be more vulnerable with their staff, showing more empathy and transparency, traits that female leaders have often already been employing, Fortune reported April 28.
Meet the women-only private members club for executives
Chief, a membership-based club for female executives, launched in 2019 has been injected with a fresh round of investment from Google, helping it to expand, reported CNBC April 24.
49% of female revenue execs considered quitting last year: 5 top reasons
Almost half of female executives working in revenue-related roles have considered quitting their jobs in 2021 according to a new survey from Women in Revenue.
INNOVATION
Venture investment strategies from Northwell, UPMC, OSF + more
More hospitals with substantial cash pools have decided to think like venture capitalists, ramping up their investments into digital health startups.
8 reasons health AI companies fail
Artificial intelligence in healthcare "doesn’t really exist right now," even though it should, according to Aike Ho, a partner at venture capital firm Acme Capital.
CommonSpirit, AdventHealth invest in behavioral health startup
Behavioral health startup Concert Health on April 27 closed a $42 million series B funding round.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center training AI to 'sniff out' cancer
New York City-based Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center researchers' AI sensor, trained to identify ovarian cancer, was found to be more effective than currently used methods for early detection.
Ballad Health forms alliance to boost healthcare innovation
Johnson City, Tenn.-based Ballad Health has partnered with East Tennessee State University Research Corp. to create an innovation and entrepreneurship alliance, the health system said April 14.
CIO/HEALTH IT
Physician leaders wave red flag on automated pharmacy technology
As retail pharmacy chains rely on automated technology to fill prescriptions, a group of physician leaders is waving a red flag, stating that this technology has serious consequences for patient safety and the future of pharmacy.
Data is the 'lifeblood' of the digital health economy: Sanford CIO on how to keep up
Digital technologies and data analytics have become vital to health systems aiming to run efficient organizations, reduce burnout and provide excellent patient care.
Mississippi requires insurers to cover telehealth
The governor of Mississippi recently signed into law a bill that requires insurers to cover telehealth services on par with in-person care.
Health IT company names Ed Marx as CEO
Healthcare IT consulting company Divurgent named Ed Marx its CEO.
The era of passwords is ending: How tech giants will ensure safe sign-ins
Microsoft, Google and Apple made a joint agreement to implement passwordless logins across mobile and desktop devices and browsers.
CMO/CARE DELIVERY
Nurses make exit plans after RaDonda Vaught's conviction
More than 100,000 nurses left the workforce in 2021, according to an analysis published April 13 in Health Affairs. Now a nurse's criminal conviction for a medical error has the profession worried about how that number might swell.
Columbia University Medical Center cuts ties with Dr. Oz
Columbia University Medical Center has quietly cut its public ties to Mehmet Oz, MD, the TV celebrity physician who is now a Republican candidate for a Pennsylvania Senate seat, WebMD reports.
More men are going into nursing: What about travel nursing?
As the number of male nurses continues to increase nationwide and the major demand for travel nurses keeps growing at a record pace, it stands to reason that more men are going into travel nursing. The problem is that very little data exists to support that assumption.
AI can tell a patient's race by only X-rays, stumping researchers
Researchers have been able to train a deep learning model to accurately predict a patient's race from just medical images, like X-rays and CT scans leaving researchers confused, reported the Boston Globe May 13.
Travel nurses see abrupt pay drops, canceled contracts
Steady COVID-19 hospitalizations and the meltdown of pandemic relief funding are contributing to substantially lower demand for travel nurses, including lower pay and canceled contracts, NBC News reports.