Nuance integrates generative AI-backed scribe into Epic EHRs

Epic is DAX Express’ first native integration, though a Nuance spokesperson stressed the clinical documentation capability remains EHR agnostic.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • June 29, 2023

State legislatures around US grapple with how to handle nursing shortages

At least 18 states have introduced or advanced safe staffing bills this year in an effort to reduce nurse burnout and improve the quality of patient care, but hospital groups are resisting.

By Susanna Vogel • June 28, 2023

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

Hospital operating margins positive for third consecutive month: Kaufman Hall

Hospitals’ financial health has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, but it appears to be stabilizing as Congress debates changing federal payments to providers.

By Susanna Vogel • June 28, 2023

FTC proposes updates to merger review that could slow healthcare dealmaking

A new rule proposed by antitrust regulators would ask companies to provide additional information about planned mergers to help the Federal Trade Commission keep pace with increased deal volume and complexity.

By Emily Olsen • June 28, 2023

The AMA’s new president on how abortion restrictions, AI, burnout impact physicians

Newly-elected Jesse Ehrenfeld is taking the reins at the American Medical Association at a time of pressing changes for doctors.

By Emily Olsen • June 28, 2023

AHA ramps up criticism of site-neutral legislation

Site-neutral payments ignore key differences between hospital outpatient departments and physician offices, the hospital lobby argued this week in a new report and briefing on Capitol Hill.

By Susanna Vogel • June 27, 2023

Johns Hopkins, Emeritus launch program to train healthcare leaders

Although industry analysts have focused on staffing shortages following the coronavirus pandemic, the program aims to address a gap in business skills for healthcare executives.

By Brian T. Horowitz • June 27, 2023

Health services M&A holding steady despite economic headwinds

Deal volumes declined 4% in the year ended May 15 compared to 2022, according to a PwC report. But the consulting firm is “optimistic” about the sector’s M&A outlook for the rest of the year.

By Emily Olsen • June 23, 2023

Tenet names ex-AmerisourceBergen executive as new CFO

Sun Park’s background in healthcare and corporate finance, in addition to the long lead time between his appointment and start date as CFO, indicate Tenet’s efforts to ensure a smooth leadership changeover, according to analysts.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • June 23, 2023

Preventable deaths rise, reproductive care quality varies by region, Commonwealth Fund reports

Massachusetts, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont had the best overall health system performance, according to the report.

By Brian T. Horowitz • June 22, 2023

SEIU accuses HCA of inappropriate patient transfers to hospice to boost profits, executive pay

HCA called the allegations “not serious” and “propaganda filled with misleading and absurd accusations that are not supported by facts” in a statement following the union report’s release.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Updated June 22, 2023

HHS warns industry about resurfaced ransomware group after attack on cancer center

The department sent a cybersecurity notification to the sector about TimisoaraHackerTeam after an attack on a U.S. cancer center that “significantly reduced” its capability to treat patients.

By Emily Olsen • June 21, 2023

MedPAC recommends return to lower telehealth payments

The group that advises Congress on Medicare policy also suggested more closely setting payment rates across outpatient facilities for some services, which hospital lobbyists oppose.

By Emily Olsen • June 16, 2023

New York to approve staffing requirement in critical care units

On Thursday, New York is expected to greenlight a component of its 2021 staffing law that requires one nurse for every two critical care patients.

By Susanna Vogel • June 15, 2023

Uber Health adds grocery, over-the-counter item delivery

The rideshare provider, which already offers non-emergency medical transportation and prescription delivery, has been expanding beyond medical transportation to coordinate care across multiple benefits.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • June 13, 2023

Wage growth at nonprofit hospitals falls below 2022 highs, but remains elevated

Nonprofits continue to add to payrolls as wage growth remains elevated above pre-pandemic levels, forcing hospital systems to consider cost-saving measures to offset labor costs.

By Susanna Vogel • June 12, 2023

SCOTUS rulings on COVID-19, guns, abortion will lead to increase in preventable deaths, JAMA Network Open finds

The authors said the impacts could be long-lasting, writing, “the findings of this study suggest that these Supreme Court decisions may harm the health of US citizens for years, and possibly decades, to come.”

By Susanna Vogel • June 12, 2023

Health systems monitor air quality as wildfire smoke covers Northeastern US

Most health systems contacted by Healthcare Dive did not report significant spikes in patient volumes, but they urged residents to stay indoors as much as possible, especially those in vulnerable groups.

By Emily Olsen • June 8, 2023

Google, Mayo partner to explore generative AI in hospitals

Mayo Clinic, a longstanding collaborator with Google, will be an early adopter of a Google Cloud tool that allows organizations to create chatbots and other search applications using generative AI.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • June 7, 2023

Patients of color disproportionately suffer adverse health events, regardless of hospital safety ratings

Rather than suggesting problems with individual hospitals, the data points to a “systemic issue impacting the quality of care for Black and Hispanic patients and those with public insurance plans,” according to a new Leapfrog report.

By Susanna Vogel • June 7, 2023

FTC urges North Carolina legislators to drop UNC Health antitrust exemption bill

The bill’s sponsor previously told local media that it could give the nonprofit, state-owned system the chance to save struggling rural hospitals.

By Emily Olsen • June 7, 2023

Nonprofit hospitals have decreased charity care spending even as operating profits, cash pools grow

The new study is the latest in a string of research suggesting nonprofit hospitals’ balance sheets benefit from the latitude they have regarding charity care spending.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • June 6, 2023

Sutter Health names first chief physician executive

Todd Smith will be responsible for delivering systemized service line standards, deepening relationships between medical groups and community physicians, and reducing clinical variation.

By Sydney Halleman • June 6, 2023

How Allina Health is rethinking supply chain spend

The hospital operator is deploying supply chain staff to the front lines, using group purchasing for diversity and building data transparency.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • June 5, 2023

Tenet to pay over $29M to settle kickback allegations at Detroit Medical Center

The Department of Justice alleged two DMC hospitals offered the services of mid-level practitioners to physicians in exchange for Medicare patient referrals.

By Emily Olsen • June 2, 2023