HealthLeaders Media Community and Rural Hospital Weekly - March 11, 2009 View as a Webpage | Subscribe for Free

Ice Storm Tests KY Hospitals' Mettle
John Commins, Editor, Community Hospitals
If you weren't living in Kentucky in the last week of January, the ice storm that crippled the state wasn't much more than a lead item on CNN. The news that wasn't reported, however, was the widespread closure of rural hospitals, and hospitals running out of supplies. That wasn't reported because it didn't happen due to the efforts by some of those small, isolated community hospitals in the path of the storm. [Read More]
     
 
March 11, 2009
 
Editor's Picks
Wal-Mart readies EMR line
I have a love-hate relationship with Wal-Mart. I'm not crazy about the paltry benefits, union busting, and dismal pay for their ground-level employees. I don't like the way they bully towns and dictate the terms for new stores. But, they run a tight ship and they keep their costs low in a highly competitive market. So, if anyone can make electronic medical records workable, interoperable, and affordable, it'd be Wal-Mart. [Read More]
Missouri looks to expand Medicaid
The Missouri Hospital Association is supporting a plan by Gov. Jay Nixon that would extend Medicaid to another 35,000 people, with the $143 million in additional costs picked up—in part—by money now set aside for uncompensated care. However, the Republican-controlled state legislature says it won't support the plan, for fear that the cost will eventually outpace the state's ability to fund the expansion. [Read More]
At last! Money trickles in for St. Bernard's first post-Katrina Hospital
The first dollars are now trickling in for construction of St. Bernard Parish's first post-Katrina hospital. Out of a $58 million cost estimate for the planned 40-bed hospital, St. Bernard's hospital service district now has an initial $2 million to move forward with preliminary designs on a 10-acre plot of land. Groundbreaking on the project is still months away, as local officials await an environmental assessment of the site. An archaeological survey may also be required because of the project's proximity to a historic site. [Read More]
Are You Part of a Top Leadership Team?
HealthLeaders Media is gearing up for its fifth year of the Top Leadership Teams in Healthcare program that recognizes the best in senior leadership teamwork at hospitals, health plans, and medical group practices. This year's winners will be honored during HealthLeaders Media '09: The Hospital of the Future Now, an event planned for October 15-16 at The Palmer House in Chicago. If you and your organization have an outstanding teamwork story to share, go to the Top Leadership Teams site to learn more about the six categories, download an entry form, and submit your entry. The deadline to submit is April 29. [Read More]
 
Leaders Forum
Post-Merger Integration: The Balance of Forces
Healthcare providers are witnessing the onset of another round of wide-ranging consolidation, with economic forces likely to continue as the main driver. To gain the hypothetical benefits of consolidation, healthcare CEOs should invest time in building structures and systems that work. [Read More]
 
This Week's Headlines
In divide over healthcare overhaul, two major unions withdraw from a coalition
New York Times - March 9, 2009
Poinciana, FL, residents get OK for 60-bed hospital
Orlando Sentinel - March 9, 2009
Even now, healthcare adds jobs
Wall Street Journal Health Blog - March 9, 2009
Georgia hospitals, governor face off over health funding
Atlanta Journal-Constitution - March 5, 2009

Webcasts/Audio Conferences
Marketing Neurosciences: Service Line Strategies for Marketers (Live)
Service Lines Strategies Workshop 2009: Joint Replacement (Live)
5 Ways to Improve the Patient Experience at Your Hospital (Live)
Solving Your Nurse Shortage: Long-Term Strategies That Work (Live)
 
 
From HealthLeaders Magazine
Back to Basics
  The strategy for surviving the economic downturn? Invest in core strengths, scrutinize staffing and operations, seize partnership opportunities—and get down to work. [Read More]