HealthLeaders Media Community and Rural Hospital Weekly - October 8, 2008 View as a Webpage | Subscribe for Free

Wisconsin Hospitals Provide Lesson in Innovation
John Commins, Editor, Community Hospitals
A small group of hospitals in western Wisconsin is providing a lesson in innovation for rural hospitals everywhere: A first-of-its-kind grant will be used to offset the cost of building a collaborative information system and EMR initiative. [Read More]
     
 
October 8, 2008
 
Editor's Picks
Iowa Community Hospitals join rural network
In another example of rural hospitals taking the initiative, three small hospitals in northern Iowa have installed an integrated electronic health record system. [Read More]
Mayo Clinic reduces errors with radio ID tags on specimen bottles
The Mayo Clinic says it has drastically reduced the risk and number of errors during biopsy analysis by instituting RFID labeling systems for specimen bottles. [Read More]
KU hospital marks a decade of independence
It was 10 years ago this month that the state of Kansas split KU hospital from the medical school and other academic departments. KU hospital supporters say there's been plenty of positive change in the last decade. [Read More]
New study links parents' income with kids' health
A report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation shows that there is an expected health gap between rich and poor children. However, the report also points out a significant gap between the middle and upper classes—one that is seen across the country. We are falling short. One-third of children in poorer families are in less-than-optimal health, and are five times more likely to be worse off than wealthier kids. In middle-class families, children were 1.5 times more likely to be in less-than-optimal health than in wealthy families. [Read More]
Business groups underwhelmed by McCain's health plan
In a surprising twist, normally Republican-leaning U.S. business associations have provided a chilling reception for Sen. John McCain's proposed overhaul of the nation's healthcare system. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Business Roundtable, and the National Federation of Independent Businesses have expressed concerns that McCain's plan to tax healthcare benefits would do little to alleviate the number of uninsured, and could threaten to unravel the employer-sponsored healthcare system. [Read More]
 
Leaders Forum
Margins Squeezed? Here's Where to Find Operational Efficiencies
The current economic downturn has caught many businesses, including healthcare organizations, in an unanticipated margin squeeze. So what can your organization do to ensure that it is generating the margin necessary to fund future operations and investments? A margin improvement audit may be the solution. [Read More]
 
This Week's Headlines
CMS announces permanent RAC contractors
Dominic Nicastro, for The RAC Report ? October 7, 2008
Ground broken on new hospital in Plainsboro, NJ
Newark Star-Ledger ? October 6, 2008
Healthcare provides shot in the arm to Florida counties
Orlando Sentinel ? October 7, 2008
Fairview job cuts are latest for Minneapolis-area healthcare
Minneapolis Star Tribune ? October 7, 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]
    
 
Community Call
Discussion Board
What, if anything, is your hospital doing to involve traveling nurses and other contracted healthcare professions in your mission?
 
Audio Feature
Controversy Over RAC: With the controversial Recovery Audit Contractor program going nationwide by 2010, many hospitals are concerned about the high number of overpayments collected from providers. [Listen Now]
 
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