Pediatric Surgery Centers--a $4.3-million, 18,000-square-foot outpatient surgical facility--is expected to open as early as June in Odessa, FL. The center will be a larger version of the multispecialty Pediatric Surgery Centers located in Brandon, FL, which opened in 2005 and treats about 3,000 children a year.
Heart disease deaths in the United States have fallen below the American Heart Association's prevention goal for 2010, and deaths from strokes are nearing their own record low. The analysis of data released by the National Center for Health Statistics doesn't explain why death rates continue to fall, but some experts say improved methods of preventing and treating cardiovascular disease have paid off.
A group of former executives of Triad Hospitals Inc. has launched Legacy Hospital Partners Inc., a new company to acquire hospitals through joint ventures with not-for-profit hospital systems. James D. Shelton, former chairman and chief executive of Triad, is chairman of Legacy. The new company will own, operate and manage acute-care hospitals in small cities and in select urban markets.
For more than 17 years, Prince Market Research has done surveys, polls and arranged focus groups for many clients, including hospital chain HCA when it tested the name of its Centennial Medical Center. Now, Prince has created Catalyst Healthcare Research to focus on the marketing needs of healthcare providers, suppliers and insurance plans.
Pennsylvania has announced it will no longer make Medicaid payments to hospitals for serious, preventable medical errors. The policy change is part of Gov. Ed Rendell's health care initiative, and is intended to make hospitals more vigilant about patient care and reduce costs. The change will be outlined to hospitals in a Department of Public Welfare bulletin.
The Bush administration has threatened to veto Senate legislation designed to improve healthcare on American Indian reservations. Bush objects to expanded labor provisions in the bill, which would boost screening and mental health programs at the Indian Health Service, increase tribal access to Medicare and Medicaid and prompt new construction and modernization of health clinics on reservations.