September 2023 Issue of Becker's Hospital Review
ON THE COVER
David Callendar, MD. President and CEO of Memorial Hermann Health System
Labor costs have spun out of control in the last few years as inflation set in and hospitals relied on contracted travel nurses to combat nationwide workforce shortages.
Tom Mihaljevic, MD. President and CEO of Cleveland Clinic
When Tom Mihaljevic, MD, took over as president and CEO of Cleveland Clinic five years ago, something began to weigh heavily on his mind.
Robyn Begley, DNP, RN. CEO of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership
While patient safety should always be a top priority, being forced to abide by nurse-to-patient ratios when scheduling takes away nurse leaders' ability to exercise their own clinical power, Robyn Begley, DNP, RN, CEO of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, told Becker's.
Rob Allen. President and CEO of Intermountain Health
U.S. News & World Report, Healthgrades, The Leapfrog Group and CMS, among other outlets, have long offered hospital ratings, rankings and grades, which measure organizations based on many factors.
'The wall doesn't care': 1 CMO on getting things done in a shifting environment
Eric Katz, MD, chief medical officer at Banner Estrella Medical Center, loves nothing more than to build better mousetraps.
The 15-minute meeting that transformed Cleveland Clinic
When Tom Mihaljevic, MD, took over as president and CEO of Cleveland Clinic five years ago, something began to weigh heavily on his mind.
The health system CEO who wants all of your questions (even about his pay)
At San Diego-based Scripps Health, CEO Chris Van Gorder has stuck with a few leadership philosophies over the course of his 23-year tenure, including radical transparency with more than 2,500 physicians.
'1 size doesn't fit all': A nurse leader's case against staffing ratios
While patient safety should always be a top priority, being forced to abide by nurse-to-patient ratios when scheduling takes away nurse leaders' ability to exercise their own clinical power, Robyn Begley, DNP, RN, CEO of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, told Becker's.
Drop 'satisfaction' metrics and use these 2, Banner CMO says
When systems use metrics like employee and patient satisfaction, what they're really trying to capture is employee pride and patient loyalty, Eric Katz, MD, chief medical officer at Phoenix-based Banner Estrella Medical Center, told Becker's.
Pay cuts continue in the C-suite
As companies endure difficult times, some are maintaining one cost-cutting measure from the pandemic's early days: reduced pay for executives.
Deaconess Health to acquire Indiana hospital
Evansville, Ind.-based Deaconess Health, a 20-hospital system, entered into an affiliation agreement July 26 to acquire the Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center based in Jasper, Ind.
Does nursing need a rebrand to attract more men?
A nursing background can lead to a myriad of job paths. That comes as no surprise to those already working in the profession, but there's an immense opportunity for healthcare organizations to do a better job at showcasing just how diverse the range of career options are with a nursing degree — especially when it comes to attracting more men to the field.
What's missing from discussions on the nursing shortage? 9 CNOs weigh in
When it comes to the nursing shortage, much of the national rhetoric is focused on nurses who have left the bedside, or projections on how many more are planning an exit. But there is a need for more emphasis to be placed on the now: How can nursing delivery models change to best support and retain today's nurses while also attracting more individuals to the profession?
Why the pandemic-era acceleration of health tech isn't going away
The COVID-19 pandemic intensified the need for new healthcare technology adoption at hospitals and health systems, and CIOs predict that this accelerated pace is likely to continue as organizations look for ways to optimize workflows, operations and increase efficiency.
Michael Dowling: We have to be careful AI doesn't outsmart us
Northwell Health CEO Michael Dowling said although artificial intelligence has the potential to enhance healthcare delivery, he fears there could come a day where the technology could outsmart the human brain, Politico reported July 20.
Healthcare's tedious work is also dangerous
The U.S. healthcare system is one of extremes, in which the same patient on the same day can experience herculean efforts to return to health while being denied a $12 medication, according to one physician's op-ed in The New York Times.
CFO / FINANCE
The health system CEO who wants all of your questions (even about his pay)
At San Diego-based Scripps Health, CEO Chris Van Gorder has stuck with a few leadership philosophies over the course of his 23-year tenure, including radical transparency with more than 2,500 physicians.
Pay cuts continue in the C-suite
As companies endure difficult times, some are maintaining one cost-cutting measure from the pandemic's early days: reduced pay for executives
Prisma Health to outsource 689 jobs
Greenville, S.C.-based Prisma Health has entered into a partnership with Compass One Healthcare to provide environmental services. As a result of the deal, the health system will terminate the employment of 689 environmental services workers at the end of August, though every individual will have the opportuinity to continue their role as a Compass One Healthcare employee, according to a WARN notice filed with the state July 13.
Hospital CEOs get serious about cutting labor costs
Labor costs have spun out of control in the last few years as inflation set in and hospitals relied on contracted travel nurses to combat nationwide workforce shortages.
Aspirus Health and St. Luke's Duluth to combine to form 19-hospital system
Wausau, Wis.-based Aspirus Health and Duluth, Minn.-based St. Luke's have signed a letter of intent to affiliate and jointly serve patients in their home states and Michigan, according to a July 12 release.
CEO/STRATEGY
The 15-minute meeting that transformed Cleveland Clinic
When Tom Mihaljevic, MD, took over as president and CEO of Cleveland Clinic five years ago, something began to weigh heavily on his mind.
Jefferson executive resigns after Twitter trouble
Mark Tykocinski, MD, has resigned from his roles as president of Thomas Jefferson University and interim dean of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College in Philadelphia.
CEO of CHS hospital in Indiana to leave role
Clyde Wood, CEO of Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind., is leaving his role, The Journal Gazette reported July 28.
New Mexico hospital CEO resigns
Caleb O'Rear has resigned as CEO of Alta Vista Regional Hospital in Las Vegas, N.M., the Las Vegas Optic reported July 20.
The CEO Forum: 10 CEOs transforming healthcare
The CEO Forum Group, a media and marketing company focused exclusively on CEOs, recently released its latest list of the "Top 10 CEOs Transforming Healthcare in America."
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
What's it like to outsource to Optum? A New York health system CEO explains
Health systems across the country have outsourced administrative functions to UnitedHealth Group's Optum in an effort to cut costs and streamline operations.
Does nursing need a rebrand to attract more men?
A nursing background can lead to a myriad of job paths. That comes as no surprise to those already working in the profession, but there's an immense opportunity for healthcare organizations to do a better job at showcasing just how diverse the range of career options are with a nursing degree — especially when it comes to attracting more men to the field.
The misconception that young physicians 'don't want to work that hard'
Each generation views the world differently, and there are some communication gaps administrators and systems have not yet bridged with younger physicians, Doug Bruce, MD, chief clinical integration officer at Cleveland-based MetroHealth, recently told Becker's.
'Use less; lose less; and hire more': Hospital CEOs buck layoff, pay cut trends
With labor costs on the rise, many hospitals and health systems are making cuts.
What's missing from discussions on the nursing shortage? 9 CNOs weigh in
When it comes to the nursing shortage, much of the national rhetoric is focused on nurses who have left the bedside, or projections on how many more are planning an exit. But there is a need for more emphasis to be placed on the now: How can nursing delivery models change to best support and retain today's nurses while also attracting more individuals to the profession?
INNOVATION
Why the pandemic-era acceleration of health tech isn't going away
The COVID-19 pandemic intensified the need for new healthcare technology adoption at hospitals and health systems, and CIOs predict that this accelerated pace is likely to continue as organizations look for ways to optimize workflows, operations and increase efficiency.
Not just tech: 'Hospital at home' has to take caregivers into account, experts say
As hospital-at-home programs have expanded, so have responsibilities for family caregivers, NPR reported.
Health IT execs at Johns Hopkins, Temple, UC Davis + 4 more weigh in on limits of telehealth
Telehealth remains a powerful tool for treating patients from their homes, but connectivity issues and legal confusion around telehealth restrictions still limit the technology, health IT executives told Becker's.
Michael Dowling: We have to be careful AI doesn't outsmart us
Northwell Health CEO Michael Dowling said although artificial intelligence has the potential to enhance healthcare delivery, he fears there could come a day where the technology could outsmart the human brain, Politico reported July 20.
Why large EHR installs are like 'trying to fix a plane while flying'
Daniel Barchi, CIO of Chicago-based CommonSpirit, said large electronic health record implementations often have problems that are far more than just technical, Politico reported July 21.
CMO CARE DELIVERY
Most socially responsible hospital in each state: Lown Institute
The Lown Institute has released its 2023 list of America's most socially responsible hospitals, including the highest-ranked hospitals for social responsibility in each state.
FDA releases strategy for Pfizer's damaged plant
There will not be immediate or significant disruptions to the U.S. hospital drug market after a tornado hit a Pfizer plant in Rocky Mount, N.C., according to the FDA.
Nurse practitioners sue California over restricted use of 'doctor'
Three nurse practitioners are suing the state of California for its restrictions over the use of "doctor," asking the court to prevent enforcement of the law, The Washington Post reported July 18.
Emergency physicians denounce corporate management
The American College of Emergency Physicians has updated its position on non-physician-led emergency medical practices, stating physicians — not corporations — should make medical and business decisions.
Healthcare's tedious work is also dangerous
The U.S. healthcare system is one of extremes, in which the same patient on the same day can experience herculean efforts to return to health while being denied a $12 medication, according to one physician's op-ed in The New York Times.
CIO / Health IT
Why this medical school is teaching residents to use chatbots for diagnosis
Physicians at Boston-based Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center are teaching students to use artificial intelligence chatbots to help diagnose cases, The New York Times reported July 22.
Why Johns Hopkins Medicine is charging for MyChart messages
Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins Medicine will begin charging for some MyChart messages July 18.
HCA faces lawsuit over massive data breach
Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare is facing a lawsuit for a recent data theft incident that affected 171 hospitals and health systems across the U.S. and may have breached information of about 11 million patients.
Why Epic is opposing new interoperability, transparency rules
Epic, the nation's largest EHR vendor, opposed some proposed changes by ONC that the agency says will improve interoperability, healthcare data exchange and health IT transparency.
Cleveland Clinic CIO to move to Inova
Falls Church, Va.-based Inova has named Matthew Kull as its new chief information and digital officer. He will join the health system on Aug. 7.
WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP
A UPMC nurse's rapid rise to leadership
Ashley Iannazzo, DNP, RN, has experienced various changes during her career trajectory. Most recently, she went from one direct report three years ago to overseeing about 700 employees as senior director of clinical operations at the UPMC Center for Nursing Excellence and UPMC Travel Staffing senior nurse leader.
The downside of remote work for women
The women's workforce has largely benefitted from the pandemic-spurred surge in remote work offerings. Millions of mothers with young children who left the workforce in 2020 found balance with the ability to work from home, and there are now more women in the labor force than ever.
The latest recruitment trend: 'Quiet hiring'
Many people are familiar with the term "quiet quitting," which refers to a phenomenon in which employees reduce their enthusiasm at work and stick to the minimum expectations of their role. Now another labor-related trend is trending: "quiet hiring."
Fastest growing C-suite role screeches to a halt
Chief diversity officers rapidly gained prevalence in 2020. Now, the role is being vacated in droves — a decision driven not only by employers, but by diversity leaders themselves, The Wall Street Journal reported July 21.
47% of women physicians pass up on career opportunities — here's why
A recent survey of 1,056 female physicians found that career pressures influenced timing of childbearing and may contribute to ongoing gender disparities and attrition.