July 2024 Issue of Becker's Hospital Review
ON THE COVER
Steve Aleman. CFO at Prime Healthcare
Steve Aleman, CFO of Ontario, Calif.-based Prime Healthcare knows a thing or two about healthcare real estate acquisition.
Michael Allen. CFO at OSF HealthCare
Peoria, Ill.-based OSF HealthCare has seen drastic improvements to its financial performance over the last two years, a performance that has allowed the health system to see revenue growth and expand its M&A footprint.
Bill Robertson. CEO at MultiCare Health System
Hospital and health system CEOs are continuously tasked with making strategic decisions for their organizations, and the approaches they take with these decisions vary.
Richard Vath, MD. President and CEO at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System
Richard Vath, MD, president and CEO of Fransican Missionaries of Our Lady Health System in Baton Rouge, La., is reflecting on his 40 years in healthcare ahead of his retirement on June 30.
Mark Clement. President and CEO of TriHealth
As hospitals and health systems seek to create more access points to meet demand for healthcare, they are particularly focused on access to care for underserved communities.
Mark Larson, MD. Medical director for Mayo Clinic Care Network
In an era marked by an abundance of options in the health IT marketplace, Mayo Clinic Platform aims to get proven tools to healthcare providers.
'No silver bullets' to improve margins, OSF CFO says
Peoria, Ill.-based OSF HealthCare has seen drastic improvements to its financial performance over the last two years, a performance that has allowed the health system to see revenue growth and expand its M&A footprint.
The decision that led this system CEO to abandon 'both/and' thinking
Hospital and health system CEOs are continuously tasked with making strategic decisions for their organizations, and the approaches they take with these decisions vary.
Sutter installed a dyad leadership model to boost results. Did it work?
Sacramento, Calif.-based Sutter Health restructured it's divisional leadership last October, naming six market presidents and six chief medical officers to lead dyad partnerships for more efficient decision-making and improved access to care.
The future chief pharmacy officer
With fewer people applying for pharmacy degree programs and residencies, it's vital for health system leaders to foster the next generation of chief pharmacy officers, executives told Becker's.
Why Ardent isn't focusing on 'technology just for technology's sake'
Nashville, Tenn.-based Ardent Health Services' chief digital information officer is focusing on three key pillars in 2024: cybersecurity, enhancing consumer experience and fostering purpose-driven initiatives.
Leaders leave patients in PE hospital shell game
A bankrupt hospital that remains open is — in some ways — just as worrisome for patients as if it closed.
Prime CFO on how owning real estate enhances care
Steve Aleman, CFO of Ontario, Calif.-based Prime Healthcare knows a thing or two about healthcare real estate acquisition.
HCA CFO sees 'encouraging signs' from 2-midnight rule
Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare CFO Bill Rutherford said although it is still early, the system is starting to see "encouraging signs" from CMS' two-midnight rule.
The cost of unnecessary hospital days in 8 numbers
Hospitals across the U.S. are having capacity issues, leading to unnecessary stays and higher costs overall.
Why UPMC opened a farm on a hospital campus
Farming began as a hobby for KimberLee Mudge, MD, a breast surgeon at UPMC Memorial in York, Pa., and it has now turned into an initiative designed to improve the health of people throughout Central Pennsylvania.
Meditech's market share over the years
Meditech's EHR market share from 2021 to 2023 has stayed the same, remaining at 16%.
The physician gender pay gap: 6 new findings
On average, a male physician practicing full-time in the U.S. earned about 29% more than a female counterpart in 2023.
Hospitals 'learning as we go' with virtual nursing
Health systems are working out the kinks with virtual nursing, with some hospitals discovering the care model doesn't work for all its hoped-for uses, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
CFO / FINANCE
Prime CFO on how owning real estate enhances care
Steve Aleman, CFO of Ontario, Calif.-based Prime Healthcare knows a thing or two about healthcare real estate acquisition.
HCA CFO sees 'encouraging signs' from 2-midnight rule
Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare CFO Bill Rutherford said although it is still early, the system is starting to see "encouraging signs" from CMS' two-midnight rule.
Gen X, Y worry about Medicare's future
Concern about Medicare's future is no longer unique to current beneficiaries and older Americans.
'No silver bullets' to improve margins, OSF CFO says
Peoria, Ill.-based OSF HealthCare has seen drastic improvements to its financial performance over the last two years, a performance that has allowed the health system to see revenue growth and expand its M&A footprint.
Providence CFO eyes 'strong 2024' after $176M operating gain in Q1
Renton, Wash.-based Providence is back in the black after reporting a $176 million operating gain (2.3% margin) in the first quarter, a significant improvement on the $345 million operating loss (-5.1% margin) reported in the first quarter of 2023.
CEO/STRATEGY
Oklahoma hospital CEO defends rural health clinic closure
The decision to close McCurtain Memorial Urgent Care - Hochatown near Broken Bow, Okla., on April 28 has sparked confusion and controversy between local political and healthcare leaders.
Janus Health names CEO
RCM tech platform Janus Health has named Todd Doze its news CEO.
CEOs' top healthcare pain points
As Hospital Week comes to an end, Becker's connected with hospital and health system CEOs to get their take on some of the biggest issues they would like to see addressed in the healthcare industry.
How Tufts CEO aims to overcome 'fragmented', 'high-cost' healthcare market
Burlington, Mass.-based Tufts Medicine has partnered with population health company Navvis to scale value-based capabilities across its system, which includes an academic medical center, three community hospitals, a home health organization and more than 2,300 physicians.
The decision that led this system CEO to abandon 'both/and' thinking
Hospital and health system CEOs are continuously tasked with making strategic decisions for their organizations, and the approaches they take with these decisions vary.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Boosting access to care for underserved communities: 4 systems share their stories
As hospitals and health systems seek to create more access points to meet demand for healthcare, they are particularly focused on access to care for underserved communities.
How Mayo Clinic Platform is supporting providers
In an era marked by an abundance of options in the health IT marketplace, Mayo Clinic Platform aims to get proven tools to healthcare providers.
The future chief pharmacy officer
With fewer people applying for pharmacy degree programs and residencies, it's vital for health system leaders to foster the next generation of chief pharmacy officers, executives told Becker's.
Why Ardent isn't focusing on 'technology just for technology's sake'
Nashville, Tenn.-based Ardent Health Services' chief digital information officer is focusing on three key pillars in 2024: cybersecurity, enhancing consumer experience and fostering purpose-driven initiatives.
INNOVATION
Lessons from Cleveland Clinic's 1st year of 'hospital at home'
Cleveland Clinic's hospital-at-home initiative has patient experience scores that rival any of the health system's inpatient units, the program's leader told Becker's.
10% of Mass General Brigham physicians use generative AI
Almost 1 in 10 Mass General Brigham attending physicians are experimenting with generative AI that listens to patient visits and uploads notes to EHRs, The Wall Street Journal reported May 8.
Can AI triage emergency room patients?
Artificial intelligence could help triage emergency room patients, aiding providers during busy times, a new study found.
Why Mayo Clinic's patents keep growing
Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic has been filing an increasing number of patents because of the high degree of institutional support for innovation, the Rochester Post-Bulletin reported.
Hospitals 'learning as we go' with virtual nursing
Health systems are working out the kinks with virtual nursing, with some hospitals discovering the care model doesn't work for all its hoped-for uses, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
CMO/CARE DELIVERY
Leaders leave patients in PE hospital shell game
A bankrupt hospital that remains open is — in some ways — just as worrisome for patients as if it closed.
More safety work needed in outpatient settings, study suggests
While preventable harm in hospital settings has been a widely discussed issue for decades, new research suggests that adverse events are relatively common in outpatient settings, marking a critical opportunity to improve safety.
Workplace factors that are 'extremely important' to nurses
Better pay rates was the most important aspect of the workplace for nurses, according to a recent AMN Healthcare report.
Female physicians have lower patient mortality, readmission rates: Study
Patients treated by female physicians have lower mortality and readmission rates, a recent study found.
Northwestern illuminates nursing pathway for nonclinical workers
Kiana Smith joined Northwestern Medicine two years ago as a Panera Bread employee before becoming a security guard in the emergency department. Time around patients sparked her interest in a clinical role, and thanks to a systemwide program, she achieved the career leap.
CIO/HEALTH IT
Hospital groups urge feds to hold Change accountable for breach notifications
Multiple hospital groups are urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to hold UnitedHealth's subsidiary Change Healthcare accountable for providing breach notifications regarding its February cyberattack.
Are healthcare cyber attacks having a credit impact?
Recent cyberattacks on healthcare organizations have raised concerns about potential financial repercussions, particularly regarding their credit ratings. However, according to Fitch Ratings, these cyber incidents are unlikely to impact the credit standings of the affected organizations.
The buzz from Epic's Expert Group Meetings
Thousands of health IT leaders gathered at Epic's Wisconsin headquarters recently to discuss how to use technology to meet the demand for patient volume, attract and retain clinicians, and streamline reimbursements.
How UW Health's CISO approaches cybersecurity recruitment
As the demand for cybersecurity professionals continues to grow, Trevor Martin, chief information security officer at UW Health, is raising questions about the motivations and preparedness of job applicants in the field, The Cap Times reported May 15.
Meditech's market share over the years
Meditech's EHR market share from 2021 to 2023 has stayed the same, remaining at 16%.
WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP
The physician gender pay gap: 6 new findings
On average, a male physician practicing full-time in the U.S. earned about 29% more than a female counterpart in 2023.
HCA hospital taps 1st female CEO
Tammy Razmic was selected as the new CEO of StoneSprings Hospital Center in Sterling, Va., part of Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare.
Mount Carmel Health System names new president, CEO
Columbus, Ohio-based Mount Carmel Health System, part of Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health, named Tauana McDonald president and CEO, effective July 1. Ms. McDonald will succeed Lorraine Lutton who shared plans to retire last December.