| HealthLeaders Media Corner Office - September 7, 2007 | Advances in Communication |
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Advances in Communication
Molly Rowe, Senior Editor-Leadership
As a senior editor at HealthLeaders magazine, I'm continually hearing new ways that hospitals communicate, be it through an innovative leadership development institute, a new method for communicating critical test results, or a process for reconciling medications in order to comply with The Joint Commission. Communication, it seems, is at the heart of every best practice and the root of almost every medical error. And senior leaders are in constant need of ways to make communication clearer, more effective, and timely. The same is true here at HealthLeaders Media. [Read More] |
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Sept. 7, 2007 | |
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Editor's Picks
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CMS releases Stark II Phase III
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finally issued updates to the Stark Law, with the biggest changes affecting indirect compensation arrangements, physician recruitment, and personal service arrangements. CMS is asking physicians to "stand in the shoes" of their group practice to determine whether a compensation arrangement is direct or indirect. In terms of recruitment, a physician can restrict moonlighting and have non-compete agreements. Phase III responds to comments made about Phase II and addresses the entire regulatory scheme, and should be read together as a whole. [Read More]
Limiting residents' hours has little impact on patient mortality
Despite new rules (and lots of hubbub) around resident fatigue and long hours, limited resident hours have made no difference on the death rates of Medicare patients in the first two years since the rules were instituted, says a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers admit they don't know if the new rules have affected any measures other than mortality. [Read More]
Some Atlanta hospital supporters say money, not board, is issue
As we saw in several stories this week, problems at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta have gone from bad to worse. Grady is yet another example of the challenges for urban hospitals facing declining market share and increased competition. Leaders at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta have faced the brunt of the blame for the hospital's financial failings, but supporters of the hospital says money, not people, is to blame. Grady union members, community leaders, patients, and medical students blamed a lack of resources from the state and surrounding communities for the hospital's struggles. Critics of Grady's management structure have called for the board to transfer control to a new private nonprofit corporation. [Read More]
Cell phones get the "all clear" at some hospitals
Some healthcare facilities are creating wireless networks to allow providers, patients, and their families to use cell phones and other wireless devices inside hospital walls. Critics of cell phones have argued that they can interfere with sensitive medical devices, like pacemakers, but physician proponents of the new wireless networks say cell phones promote better communication, which may reduce medical errors. [Read More]
Some hospitals give patients the power to get extra help
Some hospitals are expanding the life-saving reach of their Rapid Response Teams (early response mechanisms designed to identify patients in distress long before they crash). RRTs have typically been reserved for use only by healthcare providers, but a few hospitals are empowering patients and families to call the RRT if their loved one shows signs of decline. This article describes a new approach to early response teams, something all accredited hospitals will be expected to implement by January 1 to comply with The Joint Commission's 2008 goal. [Read More] |
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This Week's Headlines
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New services help unsnarl medical bills
Wall Street Journal (subscription required) - September 7, 2007
Luxury hotel, or hospital?
Philadelphia Inquirer - September 7, 2007
Massachusetts, Boston top vaccination compliance lists
Boston Globe - September 7, 2007
Doctors offering no-interest loans to patients
New York Times - September 7, 2007
Hospitals hone their Web-side manner
Indianapolis Star - September 7, 2007
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View from the Top
Personalized Healthcare and Care Management: If implemented into the system correctly, personalized healthcare has the potential to improve the safety, quality and effectiveness of healthcare for every patient in the country, says contributor Marybeth Regan, PhD. [Read More] | |
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Audio Feature
Cardio Service Line: Dealing with Physician Turf Issues: Susan Mullaney, vice president of cardiovascular and surgical services at Fairview Southdale in Minneapolis, discusses three trends that affect the cardiovascular service line. She will be a panelist on the upcoming HealthLeaders Media webcast, Service Line Strategies Workshop: Cardiovascular. [Listen Now] | |
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