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Hospital consolidation is on the rise as organizations work to prepare for the changes and challenges of health reform. This case study profiles two organizations: one that recently entered into a partnership and another that has acquired several hospitals throughout the years. It provides insight into the benefits of partnering and what goes into finding the right partner. This case study also looks at the governance restructuring that occurs when organizations join together and best practices in ensuring that proper communication is taking place across the system. More Info
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Understanding the multiple dimensions of patient-centered care includes having information about factors of the care experience that are the primary drivers of patient satisfaction. As a percentage of Medicare reimbursement will be tied to certain HCAHPS measures starting in October 2012, healthcare leadership focus on patient satisfaction and its connection to quality has increased significantly. This case study profiles the experiences of three member organizations that have decided to focus on patient satisfaction as a key strategic priority. More Info
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“Going paperless” can mean many things, especially in the healthcare setting—electronic medical records, computerized physician order entry, etc. For many board members, it means improved ease and efficiency. In our modern society, when everything moves at such a fast pace, board members need timely, convenient access to board meeting materials. Recently, three organizations decided to implement an online board portal, where all the materials board members need are stored in an enclosed Web site with high security and restricted access. They chose the BoardEffect portal, a partner of The Governance Institute. More Info
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“Breaking even on Medicare” is a phrase often heard among hospital and health system executives as CMS and Congress continue to lower Medicare reimbursement rates to physicians and hospitals, and private payers continue to follow Medicare rates to set their own reimbursement levels. As a part of its “journey to systemness,” Conemaugh Health System has made Medicare break-even one of its goals. In this case study, Scott Becker and Steve Tucker of Conemaugh Health System share some of the changes they have made to move closer towards this stretch goal. More Info
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The healthcare community has come to realize that quality patient outcomes require proactive follow-up methods to ensure that patients can continue to progress when the hospital doors close behind them. Unfortunately, most hospitals don’t have the resources to do this, and it is difficult, if not impossible, to reach every patient (especially those most critical) within days of discharge. To address this challenge, the National Research Corporation (NRC) has developed a patient discharge and outreach program called Illuminate. This case study profiles the experiences of two organizations that have participated in this pilot program, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare and Englewood Hospital and Medical Center. More Info
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Two organizations, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, and Alegent Health in Omaha, Nebraska share their journeys regarding how they were able to develop their respective physician leadership development plans. More Info
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Hospitals and health systems trust their board of directors to provide direction and oversight to the organization, but who does the same for the board? As watchdogs of the board, the board development committee is responsible for developing the board’s knowledge and effectiveness, and ensuring that the board monitors its own performance. In January 2009, the Davis Health System/Davis Memorial Hospital board became the first in West Virginia to earn the West Virginia Hospital Association board certification. In this interview Mark Doak, president and CEO, and Brenda Smith, board liaison, share how their board attained this certification through the diligence of their active board development committee. More Info
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Non-profit hospitals and health systems are now recognizing that funds raised through philanthropy have quickly moved from being something that is “the icing on the cake” to being essential to the operation of a hospital. The nation’s financial markets are growing ever tighter, and hospitals are faced with the conundrum of needing more charitable donations in a time when fewer patrons are able (or willing) to give. Non-profit healthcare organizations
must continuously seek new ways to raise funds and strengthen the hospital’s position in its community. More Info
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Today, freestanding hospitals face seemingly insurmountable financial challenges. Some have been bought by larger health systems; some have closed doors. Others are considering health system affiliation of one form or another, either to stay financially afloat or position the hospital for strength over the long term. In some situations, in order to affiliate, the hospital often must give up decision-making autonomy that a freestanding hospital board enjoys. More Info
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There have been many recent changes in the way medical staffs function in U.S. hospitals, including the movement of care to the outpatient setting, physician competition, shortages in certain specialties, and the increase of hospitalist and intensivist programs... More Info
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