March 2024 Issue of Becker's Hospital Review
ON THE COVER
Deborah Bloomfield, PhD. CFO at Bon Secours Mercy Health
From expanding Bon Secours Mercy Health's digital presence to improving cash flow and margins, here is what Deborah Bloomfield, PhD, the Cincinnati-based system's CFO, told Becker's she is most optimistic about in 2024:
Rod Hochman, MD. President and CEO at Providence
On Jan. 23, Rod Hochman, MD, president and CEO of Renton, Wash.-based Providence, released his sixth annual list of healthcare predictions for the year ahead.
Nathan Staggs. CEO of WhidbeyHealth
A number of hospitals and health systems appointed new CEOs early last year. Though these CEOs were new to the role and maybe even to the organization, they brought with them past experiences and lessons learned from others, which they were able to use to be a part of meaningful change during their first months on the job.
Gail Vozzella, DNP, RN. Senior vice president and Chief nursing executive at Houston Methodist
Hospital leaders are acutely aware of the fragility of the nation's nursing workforce, with findings from a survey analysis published last spring showing 800,000 nurses intend to exit the field by 2027.
Chris Van Gorder. President and CEO at Scripps Health
As healthcare organizations across the country are seeing an increase in cybersecurity incidents coupled with a rise in violence against nurses, physicians and hospital staff, San Diego-based Scripps Health has hired a new secret weapon to try to make the organization safer.
More health system C-suite reorganizations ahead
Multiple large health systems in the U.S. underwent a market reorganization in the last year by expanding their reach and formalizing leadership structures for resource optimization.
A look at Houston Methodist's plan to 'unburden' the nurse workload in 2024
Hospital leaders are acutely aware of the fragility of the nation's nursing workforce, with findings from a survey analysis published last spring showing 800,000 nurses intend to exit the field by 2027.
The advice CEOs put to use in their 1st year on the job
A number of hospitals and health systems appointed new CEOs early last year. Though these CEOs were new to the role and maybe even to the organization, they brought with them past experiences and lessons learned from others, which they were able to use to be a part of meaningful change during their first months on the job.
CFOs getting more CEO jobs
More CFOs are moving to CEO or president roles, but finance executives must be well-versed in what drives growth to find success in the corner office, Bloomberg reported Jan. 16.
The many hats of the healthcare CIO
The role of a healthcare CIO has transcended its traditional boundaries, presenting both increased responsibility and exciting opportunities in 2024.
Public payer-provider fights increase nearly 70%
Contract negotiation disputes between payers and providers that were reported in the media increased 69% between 2022 and 2023, and the number of communities affected across the country grew as well, according to data published Jan. 16 by FTI Consulting.
Why Scripps hired a former FBI agent
As healthcare organizations across the country are seeing an increase in cybersecurity incidents coupled with a rise in violence against nurses, physicians and hospital staff, San Diego-based Scripps Health has hired a new secret weapon to try to make the organization safer.
Mayo Clinic's 15-year focus
Workforce strategies and healthcare disruptors are just a couple things Sarah Poncelet, chair of the strategy and enterprise portfolio management office and strategic consulting services at Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic, is paying attention to in 2024.
2024 will be a turning point for AI in healthcare
Aashima Gupta, global director for healthcare strategy and solutions for Google Cloud, said that in 2024, AI in healthcare will transition from experimentation and trial phases to practical real-world applications.
The work nurse leaders would rather be doing
Nurses said their favorite tasks were employee engagement and retention efforts and their least favorite tasks were capacity issues, according to an American Organization for Nursing Leadership Foundation study.
Why Judy Faulkner bought a fire truck
When Epic was building its new campus in Verona, Wis., it learned its underground parking lots were too short to fit local fire trucks. So the EHR vendor bought its own.
CFO / FINANCE
Public payer-provider fights increase nearly 70%
Contract negotiation disputes between payers and providers that were reported in the media increased 69% between 2022 and 2023, and the number of communities affected across the country grew as well, according to data published Jan. 16 by FTI Consulting.
What Bon Secours Mercy Health's CFO is optimistic about in 2024
From expanding Bon Secours Mercy Health's digital presence to improving cash flow and margins, here is what Deborah Bloomfield, PhD, the Cincinnati-based system's CFO, told Becker's she is most optimistic about in 2024:
The biggest challenges facing revenue cycle departments in 2024
Nearly half of revenue cycle and finance leaders surveyed said timely patient collections is their biggest concern in 2024, according to a Jan. 23 report from Salucro Healthcare Solutions.
CEO/STRATEGY
CFOs getting more CEO jobs
More CFOs are moving to CEO or president roles, but finance executives must be well-versed in what drives growth to find success in the corner office, Bloomberg reported Jan. 16.
More health system C-suite reorganizations ahead
Multiple large health systems in the U.S. underwent a market reorganization in the last year by expanding their reach and formalizing leadership structures for resource optimization.
Rising uncompensated care costs have Denver Health at 'critical point,' CEO says
Denver Health is pushing for more state and federal funding as it grapples with ballooning uncompensated care costs, NBC affiliate KUSA reported Jan. 9.
Providence CEO's top 10 predictions for 2024
On Jan. 23, Rod Hochman, MD, president and CEO of Renton, Wash.-based Providence, released his sixth annual list of healthcare predictions for the year ahead.
'It's going to break Denver Health': CEO speaks out on uncompensated migrant care
Denver Health "is at a critical, critical point," according to its CEO, Donna Lynne, DrPH.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
The advice CEOs put to use in their 1st year on the job
A number of hospitals and health systems appointed new CEOs early last year. Though these CEOs were new to the role and maybe even to the organization, they brought with them past experiences and lessons learned from others, which they were able to use to be a part of meaningful change during their first months on the job.
A look at Houston Methodist's plan to 'unburden' the nurse workload in 2024
Hospital leaders are acutely aware of the fragility of the nation's nursing workforce, with findings from a survey analysis published last spring showing 800,000 nurses intend to exit the field by 2027.
How a medication officer is 'improving safety at every step'
Stephen Hoang, MD, is the medication safety officer and a pediatric anesthesiologist at Children's Health System of Texas in Dallas. He recently connected with Becker's to share his team's biggest priority for 2024 and proudest accomplishment of 2023.
INNOVATION
Not a 'Best Buy situation': How Trinity Health perfected the tech for virtual nursing
Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health now has virtual nursing in 19 hospitals across 10 states as it marches toward its goal of having the care model in 6,500 beds nationwide.
2024 will be a turning point for AI in healthcare
Aashima Gupta, global director for healthcare strategy and solutions for Google Cloud, said that in 2024, AI in healthcare will transition from experimentation and trial phases to practical real-world applications.
CMO/CARE DELIVERY
'Let's hear their voices': Nursing leader on combating nurse turnover
With a recent report showing the nurse vacancy rate remains "critical" at 15.7% nationally, many health leaders are shedding light on the importance of reducing these numbers.
The work nurse leaders would rather be doing
Nurses said their favorite tasks were employee engagement and retention efforts and their least favorite tasks were capacity issues, according to an American Organization for Nursing Leadership Foundation study.
CIO/HEALTH IT
Why Scripps hired a former FBI agent
As healthcare organizations across the country are seeing an increase in cybersecurity incidents coupled with a rise in violence against nurses, physicians and hospital staff, San Diego-based Scripps Health has hired a new secret weapon to try to make the organization safer.
The many hats of the healthcare CIO
The role of a healthcare CIO has transcended its traditional boundaries, presenting both increased responsibility and exciting opportunities in 2024.
WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP
Mayo Clinic's 15-year focus
Workforce strategies and healthcare disruptors are just a couple things Sarah Poncelet, chair of the strategy and enterprise portfolio management office and strategic consulting services at Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic, is paying attention to in 2024.
How this chief nursing officer plans to strengthen workplace culture
For Cherie Smith, PhD, RN, fostering enthusiasm in the workplace is the top priority for 2024.
Why Judy Faulkner bought a fire truck
When Epic was building its new campus in Verona, Wis., it learned its underground parking lots were too short to fit local fire trucks. So the EHR vendor bought its own.