HealthLeaders Media Global - August 18, 2009 | British Defend NHS Against U.S. Criticism
View as a Webpage | Subscribe for Free

British Defend NHS
Against U.S. Criticism
Ben Cole, Associate Online Editor
As the politicians and industry stakeholders continue the laborious effort to enact healthcare reform, opponents of the effort have criticized plans to nationalize the system. These opponents often point to Britain's National Health Service deficiencies as an example of why a government-run healthcare system should not be implemented. But the British are firing back against these claims. [Read More]
    
 
August 18, 2009
 
Editor's Picks

'No shows' cost the NHS millions
Speaking of the National Health Service, patients who fail to keep hospital appointments cost the NHS more than £600 million a year, data has shown. Between 2007 and 2008, 6.5 million appointments were missed in the UK, with hospitals losing around £100 per patient in revenue. The Department of Health in England said initiatives such as text message reminders are being implemented in an effort to offset the trend. [Read More]
Korean hospitals to be punished over 'nylon patients'
Korea is cracking down on "nylon" patients—those that check into hospitals (often after car accidents) unnecessarily and cost insurers billons in false payouts annually. This article in the Korea Times notes that the patients often show they're healthy enough to roam outside the hospital to take extended trips away from their bedside and to nearby establishments. But starting Aug. 28, hospitals will be responsible for keeping track of their patients' outdoor trips, according to the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs. Hospitals failing to provide the information to insurers and government officials will face a fine of up to 3 million won ($2,430). [Read More]
Sydney, Australia hospital anesthetists investigated by consumer commission
A group of 30 doctors at St. Vincent's Private Hospital in Sydney, Australia, is being investigated for anti-competitive practices. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has demanded the group, which is allocated nearly all of St. Vincent's anesthetic work, justify its existence and membership rules. The investigation comes after the hospital applied to the ACCC last year to rule it could continue the practice of preventing outside anesthetists from working in its operating rooms, even when requested by a surgeon. The hospital withdrew its application late last year, but the commission is investigating new complaints from anesthetists who say they are still prevented from working at the hospital. [Read More]
WHO: World faces growing health inequalities
The world is facing bigger inequalities in health and access to medical care than 30 years ago, World Health Organization representatives announced in two global reports launched on Friday. This year's World Health Report focused on the way primary healthcare is organized, financed, and delivered in rich and poor countries around the world. A second report, "Closing the Gap in a Generation," documents the results of a three-year investigation into health inequalities between and within countries, the WHO said in a statement. "Inequalities in health outcomes and access to care are much greater today than they were in 1978," WHO representative Hans Troedsson said. [Read More]

Global Health Headlines

Healthcare reach expands with wireless monitoring
CNN.com - August 18, 2009

Spotting the Next Crop of Leaders
Michelle Ponte, for HealthLeaders Media - August 18, 2009

In Times Like These, Take One Dose of Laughter
Cheryl Clark, for HealthLeaders Media - August 18, 2009

Immigrants to soon lose Massachusetts health insurance
Boston Globe - August 17, 2009

From HealthLeaders Magazine
Hang On
Get ready for the failure of the HIT stimulus dream, episode of care contracting, the end of easy credit, and a public plan. [Read More]  
Service Line Management
Making Wellness Work
Wellness and weight loss programs aren't major revenue generators, but healthcare reformers know they cannot effectively control costs without focusing more on prevention. [Read More]  
Audio Feature
Picking the Right Cancer Program: Suzanne Borgos, a senior consultant with Health Strategies & Solutions, discusses ROI components to consider when picking a tumor-site-specific program for an oncology service line. [Listen Now]
Sponsor HealthLeaders Media Global
Contact Paul Mattioli, Sr. Director of Sales, at pmattioli@healthleadersmedia.com or call 800.639.7477.
MAGAZINE | NEWS | TERMS OF SERVICE | PRIVACY POLICY ©2009 HealthLeaders Media
If you prefer not to receive this email newsletter, you can unsubscribe here
HealthLeaders Media Global is a division of HealthLeaders Media ©2009
HEALTHLEADERSMEDIA
5115 Maryland Way
Brentwood, TN 21027
Serving the business information needs of healthcare executives and professionals.