June 2022 Issue of Becker's Hospital Review
ON THE COVER
Kaiser to restructure Colorado, Washington operations
Kaiser Permanente's Colorado and Washington medical groups and health plan have agreed to a new organizational structure and operating model in these two markets, Becker's has learned.
Hospitals are bolstering wages. Is it sustainable?
As the workforce shortages worsened and the pandemic caused widespread burnout, many hospitals and health systems saw their labor expenses significantly rise as they were forced to pay more to attract and retain workers.
'De-innovation': How Cleveland Clinic and more determine which processes to nix
While most conversations about hospital innovation center around which new initiatives health systems have up and running, a less glamorous yet important piece of the conversation centers on which programs have been discontinued.
What made baby-boomer nurses work through the pandemic?
From novices to seasoned experts, the COVID-19 pandemic challenged all nurses in different ways. Facing a time of unprecedented turbulence in their careers, some baby-boomer nurses took the opportunity to retire early.
What separates 'good' leaders from 'great' ones?
Extensive research has shown that leaders, regardless of a formal title, shape the culture, life and performance of an organization. That's why it's imperative to have great leaders.
CMS pitches inpatient payment rule for 2023: 10 things to know
CMS released its annual Inpatient Prospective Payment System proposed rule April 18, which proposes a reimbursement boost for acute care hospitals.
US hospitals that give the most free care to patients
Becker's determined which U.S. hospitals provide the most free health services to patients as a share of their total patients.
Healthcare's 14 CEOs on Equilar's list of top paid chief executives
Fourteen healthcare CEOs made Equilar's list of the highest paid CEOs among the 100 largest companies in the U.S. by revenue in 2021.
22 cities where the gender pay gap has shrunk
While the gender pay-gap is still growing nationwide, there are now 22 metropolitan areas in which women under 30 earn the same, or more than their male counterparts, according to a March 28 Pew Research Center report.
HHS sounds alarm on 'exceptionally aggressive' ransomware group
The HHS Cybersecurity Program issued an alert April 19 to healthcare providers warning them to defend against the "exceptionally aggressive" Hive ransomware group.
Don't write that patient review, it might be a HIPAA violation, report says
When responding to online patient reviews, some healthcare providers are taking defending their reputation too far, and are violating HIPAA laws, The Verge reported April 1.
29 physician specialties ranked by annual compensation
Physician income rebounded toward the end of last year as routine patient care returned, with primary care physicians earning an average annual compensation of $260,000 and specialists earning an average of $368,000, according to Medscape's "Physician Compensation Report 2022."
It could take years to know what 'endemic COVID-19' looks like
It can take years for scientists to determine endemic patterns while pandemics settle, and consequences of widespread illness can be long lasting after new infections fade, leaving the endemic stage of COVID-19 a "mystery," The New York Times reported April 7.
Alexa Kimball, MD, President and CEO, Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians
As new chiefs and chairs start to take on their new jobs during this dynamic era, it’s clear that the role of the chief has changed dramatically over time.
Robert Garrett, CEO, Hackensack Meridian Health
We stand with our nurses and healthcare workers throughout the nation who are deeply troubled by the conviction of a nurse in Tennessee in the death of a 75-year-old patient due to a drug error. It's a rare and troubling example of a healthcare professional facing prison for a medical mistake.
Kevin Slavin, President and CEO, St. Joseph's Health
We stand with our nurses and healthcare workers throughout the nation who are deeply troubled by the conviction of a nurse in Tennessee in the death of a 75-year-old patient due to a drug error. It's a rare and troubling example of a healthcare professional facing prison for a medical mistake.
James Hereford, President and CEO, Fairview Health Services
James Hereford has helmed Fairview Health Services in Minneapolis throughout the pandemic and has had a front-row seat to the fluid circumstances of the last two years. In the wake of the challenges COVID-19 has created, he said he is more focused than ever on building a strong culture and ensuring his employees feel connected to the mission of the 10-hospital organization.
Michael Dowling, President and CEO, Northwell Health
Maternal health outcomes for women of color are moving in the wrong direction.
Rick Evans, Senior Vice President and Chief Experience Officer, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
Last week, I did something I haven't done in a long time. I went in person to a professional conference. The meeting was the "ElevatePX" conference sponsored by The Beryl Institute, an organization dedicated to advancing the human experience in healthcare. The Beryl community is over 60,000 strong and is comprised of patient experience leaders, patient advocates and other organizations involved in patient experience work.
John Couris, President and CEO, Tampa General Hospital
John Couris has been part of many achievements during his time as president and CEO of Tampa (Fla.) General Hospital, including the opening of the Global Emerging Diseases Institute and the launch of a venture capital fund to drive an innovation culture within the organization.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
The successful department chief: Essential skills, considerations in a changing landscape
As new chiefs and chairs start to take on their new jobs during this dynamic era, it’s clear that the role of the chief has changed dramatically over time.
Hospital CEOs: We stand with our front-line teams if they err
We stand with our nurses and healthcare workers throughout the nation who are deeply troubled by the conviction of a nurse in Tennessee in the death of a 75-year-old patient due to a drug error. It's a rare and troubling example of a healthcare professional facing prison for a medical mistake.
Minnesota health system CEO's advice: Help employees feel they're connected
James Hereford has helmed Fairview Health Services in Minneapolis throughout the pandemic and has had a front-row seat to the fluid circumstances of the last two years. In the wake of the challenges COVID-19 has created, he said he is more focused than ever on building a strong culture and ensuring his employees feel connected to the mission of the 10-hospital organization.
Michael Dowling: Maternal mortality isn't changing, so Northwell will
Maternal health outcomes for women of color are moving in the wrong direction.
NewYork-Presbyterian CXO Rick Evans: What's on patient experience leaders' to-do list this spring
Last week, I did something I haven't done in a long time. I went in person to a professional conference. The meeting was the "ElevatePX" conference sponsored by The Beryl Institute, an organization dedicated to advancing the human experience in healthcare. The Beryl community is over 60,000 strong and is comprised of patient experience leaders, patient advocates and other organizations involved in patient experience work.
CFO / FINANCE
CMS pitches inpatient payment rule for 2023: 10 things to know
CMS released its annual Inpatient Prospective Payment System proposed rule April 18, which proposes a reimbursement boost for acute care hospitals.
Fat Joe presses hospitals to post prices in a new ad
Fat Joe, a rapper known for songs such as "Lean Back" and "What's Luv?" presses hospitals to post prices in an ad that launched April 19 across the U.S.
US hospitals that give the most free care to patients
Becker's determined which U.S. hospitals provide the most free health services to patients as a share of their total patients.
Hospitals are bolstering wages. Is it sustainable?
As the workforce shortages worsened and the pandemic caused widespread burnout, many hospitals and health systems saw their labor expenses significantly rise as they were forced to pay more to attract and retain workers.
CFOs bored with constant spreadsheet jockeying: survey
More than 80 percent of CFOs believe they suffer from the most intensive daily manual work compared to other roles in the C-suite, according to a new DataRails survey.
CEO/STRATEGY
A trait of the best leaders: Contagious positive energy
Having a positive relational energy that helps uplift and inspire workers is the most powerful predictor of organizational success, according to a April 18 Harvard Business Review article.
CEO pay approaches record amid workforce shortages
Annual compensation for CEOs in the U.S. is heading for a record amid worker shortages and inflation, The Wall Street Journal reported April 3.
What separates 'good' leaders from 'great' ones?
Extensive research has shown that leaders, regardless of a formal title, shape the culture, life and performance of an organization. That's why it's imperative to have great leaders.
8 best health systems to work for: Fortune
Eight health systems made Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work for list this year.
Kaiser to restructure Colorado, Washington operations
Kaiser Permanente's Colorado and Washington medical groups and health plan have agreed to a new organizational structure and operating model in these two markets, Becker's has learned.
WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP
The power of mentors, according to Queen's Health Systems CEO
Jill Hoggard Green, PhD, RN, serves as president and CEO of the Queen's Health Systems in Honolulu.
Epic CEO Judy Faulkner to receive honorary degree for philanthropic work
Epic CEO Judy Faulkner will receive an honorary doctor of civic engagement degree from Carlisle, Pa.-based Dickinson College.
Male physicians see up to 31% larger paychecks than their female colleagues
Pay gaps between male and female physicians persisted across every specialty in Medscape's "Physician Compensation Report 2022."
Female breadwinners take on more housework, study shows
Mothers who earn more than their spouses frequently take on an even greater share of housework, a study published March 31 found.
Playing golf can lead to academic promotions. But women often are left out of the club.
One reason women struggle to advance in academic medicine is they are often excluded from male-dominated networking activities such as golf, research suggests.
INNOVATION
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.
'De-innovation': How Cleveland Clinic and more determine which processes to nix
While most conversations about hospital innovation center around which new initiatives health systems have up and running, a less glamorous yet important piece of the conversation centers on which programs have been discontinued.
Kaiser Permanente Ventures invests in nurse staffing startup
Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente Ventures participated in a $115 million funding round for nurse staffing platform IntelyCare.
7 must-haves for 'iterative innovation' in the words of Amazon's CEO
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy published his annual shareholder letter April 14, his first since assuming the top post of the company in 2021.
How hospitals can be a 'laboratory' for innovation
Hospitals should formalize their strategy, define what innovation looks like and encourage clinicians to think outside of the box as they pursue innovation. Here, four hospital chief innovation officers share strategies on how to create a pro-innovation environment.
CIO/HEALTH IT
Ransomware group operates like regular company, with HR department, 'employee of the month'
Leaked documents show that ransomware group Conti operates like a regular company, with salaried workers, bonuses, performance reviews and even "employees of the month," CNBC reported April 13.
HHS sounds alarm on 'exceptionally aggressive' ransomware group
The HHS Cybersecurity Program issued an alert April 19 to healthcare providers warning them to defend against the "exceptionally aggressive" Hive ransomware group.
Antitrust advocates are worried about Amazon's telehealth push
A host of recent deals made by Amazon signal the tech giant's ambitions in telehealth, raising alarm bells for antitrust advocates who fear Amazon will dominate the market, Politico reported March 30.
How Kaiser, HCA, Geisinger + more are using AI to save lives
Hospitals are using artificial intelligence in emergency rooms, inpatient wards and intensive care units to help identify and treat patients at highest risk for sepsis and an impending cardiac arrest or stroke, The Wall Street Journal reported April 10.
How email warnings can stop snooping hospital employees
Email warnings were 95 percent effective in preventing healthcare employees from inappropriately accessing patient health information, according to an April 13 study published in JAMA.
CMO/CARE DELIVERY
What made baby-boomer nurses work through the pandemic?
From novices to seasoned experts, the COVID-19 pandemic challenged all nurses in different ways. Facing a time of unprecedented turbulence in their careers, some baby-boomer nurses took the opportunity to retire early.
29 physician specialties ranked by annual compensation
Physician income rebounded toward the end of last year as routine patient care returned, with primary care physicians earning an average annual compensation of $260,000 and specialists earning an average of $368,000, according to Medscape's "Physician Compensation Report 2022."
Inflammation, not coronavirus, may be behind loss of smell: Johns Hopkins
Loss of smell from COVID-19 may be a consequence of inflammation caused by the infection, versus a direct outcome from the virus itself, according to a study published April 11 in JAMA Neurology.
The exodus of young nurses
The U.S. nursing workforce fell by more than 100,000 in 2021, primarily driven by nurses under age 35 leaving hospital-based jobs, according to an analysis published April 13 in Health Affairs.
CHI Health creates traveling nurses system
Omaha, Neb.-based CHI Health said it has launched an internal travel program for skilled clinicians in Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota and North Dakota.