HealthLeaders Media Community and Rural Hospital Weekly - October 1, 2008


Treat 'Travelers' Like Family John Commins, Editor, Community Hospitals CEOs and other leaders at America's rural and community hospitals frequently complain to us that they have a hard time getting so-called rent-a-nurses or "travelers" to buy into their hospital's mission and methodology. And buying in to a hospital mission is particularly important in today's healthcare industry. [Read More]
		October 1, 2008

Editor's Picks

The physician shortage: A worldwide problem
A couple of stories jumped out at me today. The New York Times writes about the growing movement in New York State and across the nation to acquire physicians and other medical professionals from other countries through the J-1 exchange visas. Also today, Reuters writes about the growing dearth of physicians and medical professionals in the Third World and developing nations. A World Health Organization official is warning that health systems in developing nations are "on the brink of collapse due to the lack of skilled personnel." Is there a connection? Of course! We are already hearing questions raised about whether or not it is ethical for the United States to cherry pick medical professionals from other countries, to the detriment of those countries. I expect that the questions will only get louder and more persistent in the coming years as demand for medical services increases both here and abroad.

Medicare won't pay for medical errors
Just a friendly reminder! Starting today, Medicare won't pay you if you remove the wrong kidney! [Read More]

Violations reported at 94% of nursing homes
A new report by the Department of Health and Human Services found that 90% of nursing homes were cited for violations of federal health and safety standards, with for-profit nursing homes more likely to have more problems. The HHS report says 17% of the problems uncovered caused "actual harm or immediately jeopardy" to patients. [Read More]

Economic slump finds more people on Medicaid
More signs that the economy is in trouble. Medicaid enrollment is on the upswing. As more and more people lose their jobs, and therefore their health insurance, Kaiser reports that Medicaid enrollment grew 2.1% in 2008 fiscal year. The problem is even worse in hard-hit Rust Belt states like Michigan, which saw Medicaid enrollment jump 3.7% in fiscal 2008. [Read More]

Medicaid long-term healthcare costs to soar
America's Health Insurance Plans, the lobbying and PR arm of the health insurance industry, reports that long-term healthcare costs will soar to $3.7 billion over the next 20 years as America ages. [Read More]

Leaders Forum

The New C-suite: Sailing the Seven Cs (Part 2)
Healthcare leaders need to reinvent the C-suite and establish a new set of leadership skills to help them address the challenging nature of hospital-physician competition and collaboration. [Read More]

This Week's Headlines

Tennessee's Saint Thomas Hospital, WMC form new partnership
The Tennessean - October 1, 2008

St. Francis opens ER in Mooresville
Indianapolis Star - September 30, 2008

Schwarzenegger signs bills creating hospital privacy oversight office
Los Angeles Times - October 1, 2008

Massachusetts gets $10.6 billion for healthcare insurance
Boston Globe - October 1, 2008

From HealthLeaders Magazine

10 Events That Could Change Healthcare

No one knows what the future holds, but several scenarios could significantly alter the healthcare landscape. [Read More]

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	Community Call Discussion Board What, if anything, is your hospital doing to involve traveling nurses and other contracted healthcare professions in your mission?