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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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Today’s emergency department physicians struggle to keep pace with growing patient volume in EDs across the country. Additionally, hospitals are facing the difficult but necessary transition from paper medical records to electronic records (EHRs)... More Info
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Freestanding hospitals in the U.S. are seeking ways to provide better care and consolidate costs. Many look to joint ventures with physicians, and some develop relationships with other nearby hospitals to consolidate services and lower costs... More Info
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The healthcare industry is learning more and more about the importance of a patient’s environment in enhancing and speeding the healing process... More Info
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