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HealthLeaders' Top Non-COVID Stories of 2020

Analysis  |  By John Commins  
   January 01, 2021

Believe it or not, there was more going on in the healthcare universe in 2020 than the response to the coronavirus pandemic and we've compiled a list of stories to prove it.

Understandably, the coronavirus pandemic dominated the headlines this year, not just with HealthLeaders, but with pretty much every media outlet on the planet.

Still, our savvy pillar editors reported on scores of healthcare stories that were not centered around that dreaded virus.

So, we thought we'd share a collection of some of non-COVID-19 content in 2020, if nothing else than to remind us all that we will get through this scourge and life will continue.

Revenue Cycle

Productivity Skyrockets in Sharp HealthCare's Gamified Revenue Cycle

Picture a revenue cycle where employees jockey to work on their colleagues' accounts, the turnover rate is less than 5%, and staff members ask their manager not to fill a vacant position so they can work on extra accounts.

That's what's happening at Sharp HealthCare in San Diego, which has "gamified" its revenue cycle management workflow to turn employees' everyday tasks into opportunities to earn points, badges, and compete with each other.

Here are some of our other top Revenue Cycle stories of 2020:

Epic Dominates EMR Market Share Wars; Cerner Loses Ground

Information Blocking: What to Know and How to Navigate Next Steps

6 Ways to Build the Healthcare System of the Future

John Halamka, MD, Launches Mayo Clinic's 'Digital Data Business'

3 Ways to Tame Chronic Disease With Technology

Clinical Care

How to Build Successful Virtual Primary Care Services

San Francisco­–based PlushCare has been providing primary care telehealth services to patients since its founding five years ago. PlushCare, which has a nationwide patient population of more than 200,000, employs more than 100 physicians. The COVID-19 pandemic has boosted demand for PlushCare's services, with a 400% increase in telehealth visit volume.

Here are some of our other top Clinical Care stories of 2020.

Intermountain, CDC Develop 4-Part Antibiotic Stewardship Initiative for Urgent Care

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Launches $4.5M Geriatric Emergency Department Initiative for Rural Patients

Northwell Pioneers Black Boxes in Operating Rooms for Performance Improvement

Reduce Your Workplace Violence With Initiatives From VCU Health

Strategy

OSU Wexner Medical Center's Anti-Racism Action Plan Aims to Address 'Direct Line Between Racial Discrimination and Health Outcomes'

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center created Anti-Racism Initiatives to "elevate, engage, equip, and empower" the community, students, faculty, and staff to focus on improving racial inequalities in healthcare. The medical center also states that "racism is a social determinant of health."

HealthLeaders' Melanie Blackman spoke to Dr. Harold Paz, CEO of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, about the medical center and university's focus on addressing social determinants of health and racial inequities in their surrounding communities through an anti-racism action plan.

Also from 2020's Strategy pillar:

3 Community-Based Strategies Health Systems Can Implement Right Now

Women in Healthcare Leadership Spotlight: Annette Walker

Finance

Steward Health Care Buys Back Control from Cerberus

Steward Health Care in June reached an agreement to buy back control of the company from Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., a New York-based private equity firm. Cerberus sold control of the Dallas-based physician-owned company to a group of Steward physicians led by CEO Dr. Ralph de la Torre.

Also from the Finance pillar in 2020:

Healthcare Groups Applaud Biden on Winning Presidency

What SCOTUS Oral Arguments in ACA Case Mean for Hospitals

4 Ways Hospitals Should Prepare for the Price Transparency Rule Next Year

Donna Shalala's Return to Washington and the Fight for the Cost of Healthcare

Innovation

6 Ways to Build the Healthcare System of the Future

This June, HealthLeaders convened health system executive thought leaders to discuss the "Healthcare System of the Future." In his keynote address, John Halamka, MD, MS, president of the Mayo Clinic Platform, discussed the technology stepping stones that will pave the road forward.

Other top stories from the Innovation pillar in 2020:

Epic Dominates EMR Market Share Wars; Cerner Loses Ground

Information Blocking: What to Know and How to Navigate Next Steps

John Halamka, MD, Launches Mayo Clinic's 'Digital Data Business'

3 Ways to Tame Chronic Disease With Technology

John Commins is a content specialist and online news editor for HealthLeaders, a Simplify Compliance brand.


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