HealthLeaders Media Community and Rural Hospital Weekly

HealthLeaders Media Community and Rural Hospital Weekly - November 4, 2009


What Should Rural Healthcare Look Like After Reform? Cheryl Clark, Editor, Community Hospitals Numerous proposals in the various reform bills under discussion in Congress are designed to improve healthcare for rural communities. But one issue that seems critical in the eyes of some advocates is that of insurance coverage, whether it is public or private. [Read More]
		November 4, 2009

Editor's Picks

Sanford, MeritCare Merger Creates Giant Health System in the Dakotas
Could this be a trend? Sanford Health and North Dakota-based MeritCare Health System are merging to form Sanford Health-MeritCare, one of the largest rural healthcare systems in the country. Economies of scale and the enhanced ability to attract provider talent are among the strategic reasons behind the merger. [Read More]

New York Yields to Nurses in Stopping Mandatory H1N1 Flu Shots
New York nurses won the battle to avoid a requirement they receive flu shots, but not because of the court ruling they sought. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says less than 25% of the state's expected vaccine supply will be available by the end of the month. As a result, Gov. David Paterson wants those supplies to be used just for those with "the highest risk of complications" from the virus. [Read More]

Exclusive Interview: Lessons From Wayne Sensor's Fall at Alegent Health
Resigned Alegent CEO Wayne Sensor talked with my colleague, Philip Betbeze, about lessons learned during his tenure at the large Nebraska health system. Lesson number one: Make sure your doctors understand the need for change. [Read More]

Democratic Leaders Say Reform Bill Will Pass, With or Without GOP
Senate Democrats now say they will pass reform legislation by year's end, whether the Republicans are on board or not. In the latest version of the House bill (H.R. 3962), a modified version of the public option is back on the table. [Read More]

Nurses Use Repetitive Processes to Catch Medication Errors
Medication error prevention is high on everyone's list. But what works best? A University of Maryland study advocates questioning the rationale for each drug, clarifying physician's handwritten orders with the doctors, and empowering patients and family members to be the last line of defense if something doesn't seem quite right. [Read More]

Leaders Forum

The Financial Imperative of Staff Development Education
Contributor Deanna R. Miller, RN, MSN/HCE, manager of critical care and staff development at the University Hospitals Geneva Medical Center in Geneva, OH, makes the case for continuing to budget for staff development education during difficult economic times. [Read More]

This Week's Headlines

Health bills too timid on cutting costs, experts say
Washington Post – November 4, 2009

Health bills aim a light on doctors' conflicts
New York Times – November 4, 2009

Insurance discounts for healthy habits spur debate in Washington
Los Angeles Times – November 4, 2009

Hospitals cite worry on fees in health bill
New York Times – November 3, 2009

Webcasts/Audio Conferences

Women's Health: Building a More Profitable Service Line With Existing Assets (December 17)

Marketing Cardiology: Service Line Strategies for Marketers (December 3)

Service Lines Strategies Workshop 2009: Stroke Care (November 17)

Finding and Keeping Physicians During a Shortage (November 12)

RAC Strategy: Preserve Margin, Prevent Take-backs, Promote Alignment (November 10)

Sponsored Headline

Putting nurses back at the bedside: www.workforcerx.org

From HealthLeaders Magazine

Care Team Architecture

Creativity and flexibility count, sure. But underlying the successful care team design is a foundation of essential and lasting values. [Read More]

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Service Line Management

State of Emergency

The nation's emergency departments are feeling the effects of the economic downturn, but innovations in patient throughput and other strategies offer hope for a beleaguered system. [Read More]



	Audio Feature Reform is Missing the Boat on Transparency: John Bardis, CEO of MedAssets, a healthcare supply chain and revenue cycle management company, discusses his crusade against the lack of transparency in durable medical devices. [Listen Now]


	Sponsor Community and Rural Hospital Contact Paul Mattioli, Sr. Director of Sales, at pmattioli@healthleadersmedia.com or call 800.639.7477.

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