Doctor shortage could exceed 121K by 2030, report says

One factor affecting the shortage is an aging workforce — more than one-third of practicing physicians will be 65 or older within the next decade and looking to retire.

By Meg Bryant • April 13, 2018

Mobile device use tied to higher patient experience scores, survey finds

Nine in 10 healthcare organizations have implemented, or plan to implement, a mobile device initiative.

By Meg Bryant • April 13, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Surprise Billing

Federal legislation banning surprise bills has hit a barrage of roadblocks, complicating efforts to protect consumers from unexpected out-of-network charges.

By Healthcare Dive staff

Hospitals must improve medication adherence system use to protect patients, report says

Many hospitals are struggling to properly use technology designed to prevent bedside medication errors.

By David Lim • April 13, 2018

Tufts CEO vocalizes opposition to Beth Israel-Lahey merger

Michael Wagner testified before the Boston City Council this week, arguing the merger will stifle competition and lead to higher costs.

By Tony Abraham • April 13, 2018

Electronic access to patient info a struggle, physician survey finds

The worst gap in information is around medication adherence.

By Meg Bryant • April 13, 2018

A master patient index can reduce mismatches, report finds

Hospitals without enterprise master patient index support tools had match rates of 24% versus 85% at hospitals with EMPI.

By Meg Bryant • April 12, 2018

Patient experience 2.0

Patient experience is not about satisfaction. It’s about consistent care delivery.

By Vikki Choate, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CCM, CPHQ and Colleen McCrory, MBA, FACHE • April 12, 2018

Mayo Clinic offers buyouts to hundreds of medical transcriptionists

The decision comes as the 20-hospital health system is transitioning to Epic’s EHR.

By Meg Bryant • April 11, 2018

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

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