The VA privatization debate: 5 things to know

As the nominee for VA secretary awaits his confirmation hearing, debate is heating up over how involved healthcare's private sector should be in the second-largest federal agency.

By Tony Abraham • April 11, 2018

Is the doctor shortage problem overblown?

While supply is not keeping up with population growth, technology and use of non-physicians may ease any shortfall. 

By Meg Bryant • April 11, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Provider burnout

Hospitals are still struggling with provider burnout, after the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated underlying staffing issues and prompted workers to quit their jobs.

By Healthcare Dive staff

Gender pay gap a problem for doctors — and it's growing

A new Medscape report found male primary care physicians earn an average of $239,000 annually while women on average earn $203,000.

By Les Masterson • April 11, 2018

M&A risks patient safety, JAMA report warns

Mergers, acquisitions and affiliations are led by financial experts who may not prepare organizations for changes in patient population and practice settings.  

By Les Masterson • April 9, 2018

Penn Medicine forges new clinical care alliance

The health system launched a joint initiative with Mercy Health System and St. Mary Medical Center that aims to develop new clinical care programs and boost population health in the Philadelphia region. 

By Tony Abraham • April 9, 2018

Ascension to stop medical, surgical services at Milwaukee hospital

The hospital serves a largely low-income neighborhood of the city.

By Meg Bryant • April 6, 2018

Austin-based St. David's HealthCare adds 9-clinic network

The acquisition reflects hospitals' growing focus on low-acuity delivery of care as a future revenue stream.

By Meg Bryant • April 6, 2018

MedPAC approves plan to cut payments for some stand-alone EDs

AHA said the proposal is "unfounded" and would exacerbate Medicare's "record underpayment of outpatient departments."

By Tony Abraham • April 6, 2018

Surgeon General: More people should carry naloxone

The advisory comes a week before Congress is set to consider two competing packages aimed at curbing the opioid crisis.

By David Lim • April 5, 2018

Health systems urged to 'act like real estate investors'

Commercial real estate firm CBRE claims hospitals can outsource property management to save 10-12% of total real estate costs. 

By Tony Abraham • April 5, 2018

Lafayette General threatens to shutter hospital amid budget impasse

LGH said that without funding either Louisiana State University will have to take over University Hospitals & Clinics again or the health system will close the hospital and lay off its employees on July 1.  

By Les Masterson • April 5, 2018

Maryland's all-payer model didn't cut spending at rural hospitals, study finds

The findings run contrary to a CMS evaluation, which included suburban and urban hospitals and found reduced spending, including on outpatient services.

By Tony Abraham • April 4, 2018

Machine learning approach may help infection control

The concept could be an improvement over one-size-fits-all hospital infection programs.

By Meg Bryant • April 4, 2018

Atrium yields to physician groups' demands after lawsuit filed

The doctors accused the system of monopolistic and anti-competitive practices.

By Meg Bryant • April 3, 2018

Facing inventory problems, hospitals automate their supply chains

Hospitals are tapping into supply chain best practices to fix the lack of visibility and highly manual processes aggravating healthcare costs.

By Craig Guillot • April 3, 2018

AMA supports charter to prevent physician burnout

Proposed by medical group Collaborative for Healing and Renewal in Medicine, the charter provides eight principles to promote physician well-being. 

By Tony Abraham • April 3, 2018

Study finds 'pervasive' income disparities in pediatric hospitalizations

The report suggests that hospitals should spend more time on inpatient to outpatient transitions and on population health.

By Meg Bryant • April 3, 2018

NQF report finds gaps in post-acute, long-term care measures

The report suggests a need for bidirectional measures that hold both referring providers and nursing homes accountable for care.

By Meg Bryant • April 2, 2018

Press Ganey urges hospitals to break out of silos

A new white paper argues safety, quality, patient experience and workforce engagement are interrelated and offers a strategic framework for providers.

By Tony Abraham • April 2, 2018

California sues Sutter for anticompetitive practices, high costs

The complaint alleges profits from Sutter's "illegal pricing practices" have gone toward acquisitions, executive wages and the financing of its own insurance arm.

By Tony Abraham • April 2, 2018

CHS to sell 3 Tennessee hospitals

The deal with West Tennessee Healthcare will bring the CHS divestiture count in Tennessee to four this year. 

By Tony Abraham • March 29, 2018

Ascension selling Connecticut hospital to Hartford HealthCare

The deal comes as Ascension is refocusing its long-term strategy away from hospitals and toward outpatient care and telemedicine.

By Meg Bryant • March 28, 2018

Face time, compassion key in online doctor reviews, analysis finds

The analysis of nearly 7 million Healthgrades reviews showed little difference by physician gender.

By Meg Bryant • March 28, 2018

Geisinger to build, co-own hospital with St. Luke's

The two systems work together frequently, including an insurance collaboration and an upcoming partnership that will see Geisinger providing St. Luke's with an emergency helicopter service.

By Tony Abraham • March 28, 2018

Supply chain woes delay and disrupt care, OR staff says

A Cardinal Health survey found that OR providers said hospital supply chain problems lead to procedure delays and cancellations, which can harm patient health and hospital bottom lines.  

By Les Masterson • March 28, 2018