More than 800,000 patients became infected with MRSA last year while in the hospital, according to a study by the Association of Professionals in Infection Control. Tired of such statistics, grieving families across the country held a vigil in memory last week for those who have died as a result of hospital-acquired infections.
Hospitals already employ a number of infection control practices, with additional measures being implemented regularly. According to a recent online survey conducted by Perception Solutions, Inc., hand hygiene and the use of gloves that feature effective barrier protection rank highest on the list of preventative measures.
Kansas hospitals will no longer be paid for claims involving avoidable medical errors, as several of the state's largest insurers - including Preferred Health Systems and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas - join Medicare in adopting new "never event" rules that go into effect October 1.
The Joint Commission has issued a warning that patient safety can be compromised by hostile behavior among medical staff. Starting next year, hospitals will be required to implement a code of conduct that defines such behavior, and also includes procedures for managing it.
Research has found that P4P programs have nearly no impact on the quality of healthcare. Some believe that reform is necessary to reward recommended care, while others say leaders must take a closer look into how such programs are implemented and carried through.
In five studies conducted in the United Kingdom, doctors did not discuss more problems, prescribe more drugs, run more tests, make more referrals, or do more examinations when they spent more time with patients. The patients in the five studies did not feel more satisfied with their care when they were able to consult longer with their doctors, according to researchers. However, in each study consultation times were only slightly longer than usual, and might have not been enough extra time to make a difference in the doctors' routine or the patients' satisfaction, the researchers write.
Congressional Republicans are trying to mend an ailing relationship with allies in the medical community after opposing legislation to block an annual pay cut for doctors under Medicare. Republican Whip Roy Blunt of Missouri already convened a private meeting with a handful of top lobbyists for the medical community to make amends after the vote. The lingering tension, however, from that vote hints at a broader rift between doctors and the GOP as Congress prepares for a potential healthcare fight under the next president.
In a climate of deepening healthcare woes, more companies are trying to save money by opening work-site medical clinics. Toyota Nissan, Harrah’s Entertainment, and Walt Disney Parks & Resorts are among the converts. In addition, a recent study by benefits-consulting firm Watson Wyatt Worldwide found that 32% of all employers with more than 1,000 workers either have an on-site medical center or plan to build one by 2009. An employer typically comes up with a blueprint of the services it aims to provide to its workers, then it hires an outside firm to manage the project and offers employees a major break on co-pays and other incentives if they use the center. Some companies also reward the use of in-house services by making deposits in the worker’s health savings account.
The Patient Safety Authority of Pennsylvania continues its push for hospitals to join the state's Wristband Standardization Project to "Band Together for Patient Safety." The program is meant to alert medical staff to individual patient issues, including allergies and do-not-resuscitate orders.
If you're not connecting on a personal level with your fellow physicians, you'll probably be another specialty practice waiting around for referrals.
However, to make a meaningful connection, you need to understand the different types of referring practices and tailor your outreach strategy accordingly.
Every physician should be familiar with his or her sources of referral business. This will help define the specialties and areas of practice that are driving your volume, and also identify the geographic areas where you have the most opportunity to grow new referral business.
There are three types of doctor sources your specialty practice should be familiar with before you consider a marketing strategy:
A loyal practice group that is currently sending you a large patient volume. For example, physicians from an orthopedic practice have a strong relationship with a primary care office in town that consistently sends them senior patients for physical therapy sessions.
A semi-loyal practice group currently sending you some of its patients, but also sending some patients to a competitor. For example, an internist sends some patients to your cardiology practice, but also sends some to another cardiologist group in town. This is an opportunity to share any new services or procedures with these offices and demonstrate your interest in working with them.
A nonreferring group. For example, other specialty or primary care practices do not know about your practice. Perhaps you just moved to the area. This may be an opportunity for you to become familiar with these groups and explain the services you offer.
Once you know where your referral business comes from, you can put together marketing strategies that will promote your practice and encourage other doctors to reach out to you and ask questions about the services or procedures you offer.
This article was adapted from one that originally ran in the July issue of The Doctor's Office, a HealthLeaders Media publication.
