Like it or not, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is here to stay. In June, The United States Supreme Court upheld the law after state attorney generals and the National Federation of Independent Business questioned its constitutionality. In a nutshell, the court stated that...
It is a situation that has replayed in hospitals for many years: a physician from one specialty wants to perform a procedure or apply for privileges that traditionally fall under the domain of another specialty. The physician applying for privileges might have the training and the qualifications...
It's no secret that hospitals stand to gain a lot when contracting with a hospitalist group. Hospitalists can improve quality, increase efficiency, and reduce costs. However, finding the best hospitalist group for your organization can be a daunting task. Any facility looking...
Hospital mergers and acquisitions are occurring with greater frequency than ever, and the trend does not show signs of slowing. With many hospitals forming new partnerships or joining larger healthcare networks, medical staffs are facing the issue of granting privileges to...
Mention to a group of physicians that patients should have ready access to their medical notes, and you will likely hear a gasp (or two). Physicians have traditionally resisted the idea of sharing medical notes with patients, but as patients clamor to be in control of their own health and payers...
Every healthcare provider will tell you that patients are customers, and customers can take their business elsewhere if they are unhappy about any aspect of their experience. To keep patients, and thus reimbursement, coming in the door, hospitals must focus on achieving strong patient...
Two-thirds of physicians are requesting to be employed by hospitals and health systems, according to the HealthLeaders Media report Physician Employment: The Collaborative Care Disconnect. Another HealthLeaders Media report, 2011 Physician-Hospital Alignment Survey, reveals...
A recent study from Loyola University Medical Center illustrates how adding a nurse practitioner (NP) to a medical or surgical department can improve patient discharges, reduce unnecessary readmissions through the ED, and save hospitals money.
Physicians and healthcare organizations that were on the fence about participating in an accountable care organization (ACO) may want to take a second look. In October 2011, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its final rule on ACOs, which has fewer...
Hospitalists who are guaranteed more money make less overall, according to the Medical Group Management Association's and the Society of Hospital Medicine's State of Hospital Medicine: 2011 Report Based on 2010 Data. The report states that adult hospitalists who earn high...
