CommonSpirit continues to wrangle with cyberattack

A majority of the providers affected by the attack last month have regained access to electronic health records, but the system said it is still working to return to normal operations. 

By Samantha Liss • Nov. 11, 2022

Emergency rooms are at ‘breaking point,’ physicians say

Medical groups are urging the Biden administration to prioritize finding solutions to patient overcrowding.

By Susan Kelly • Nov. 9, 2022

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

Children’s hospitals ask Congress to address mental health, staffing concerns

The requests come as hospitals face an influx of patients with respiratory illnesses and mental health conditions.

By Hailey Mensik • Nov. 9, 2022

Half of nurses consider leaving the profession, survey finds

Staffing shortages were the top reason nurses cited for planning to leave their jobs, followed by the need for better work-life balance, according to staffing agency ConnectRN.

By Hailey Mensik • Nov. 8, 2022

Senator outlines potential cybersecurity mandates for health systems

Cybersecurity can no longer be treated as a secondary concern and must become incorporated into every organization’s core business model, according to the chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

By Susan Kelly • Nov. 7, 2022

Mass General Brigham adopts patient code of conduct

The new policy comes as nurses and physicians across the country report an escalation in aggression against healthcare providers.

By Susan Kelly • Nov. 7, 2022

Monthly healthcare job gains stronger this year than last

Healthcare employment has risen by an average of 47,000 new jobs a month this year, compared to 9,000 a month on average in 2021, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

By Hailey Mensik • Nov. 4, 2022

Hospitals expected to end year with negative margins, Kaufman Hall says

Nine straight months of negative margins could lead to “one of the worst financial years for hospitals” in 2022, according to a new report.

By Sydney Halleman • Nov. 4, 2022

Half of hospitals spend just 1.4% of expenses on charity care, KFF finds

The new analysis found wide variations in charity care. At 8% of hospitals, it made up 0.1% or less of operating expenses.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Nov. 4, 2022

CommonSpirit taps new CIO with military background after cyberattack

NewYork-Presbyterian’s Daniel Barchi will start the new position Monday. 

By Samantha Liss • Nov. 2, 2022

CMS finalizes requirements for rural emergency hospital designation

The conditions of participation include maintaining an average length of stay of no more than 24 hours and having emergency care available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

By Shannon Muchmore • Nov. 2, 2022

Hospitals face lowest readmission fines since 2014, analysis finds

More than 2,200 hospitals will incur penalties, the lowest number in nearly a decade, as the CMS adjusted its calculations for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Susan Kelly • Nov. 2, 2022

U.S. seeing loss of physicians providing contraceptive services, study suggests

The study highlights how the reproductive care workforce has changed over the pandemic, which is likely to have important ripple effects for patients seeking out abortion and contraception services after the fall of Roe v. Wade.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Nov. 1, 2022

8 ways hospitals can prevent a cyberattack

After the ransomware attack at CommonSpirit, cybersecurity experts share the top ways health systems can protect valuable patient data.

By Susan Kelly • Nov. 1, 2022

Lifespan taps new diversity, equity and inclusion officer

Christin Zollicoffer is responsible for devising Lifespan’s strategy to cultivate a diverse and inclusive workplace.

By Samantha Liss • Oct. 28, 2022

After CommonSpirit ransomware attack: Why healthcare M&A is a ‘huge’ cybersecurity risk

The cybersecurity incident comes three years after the health system’s megamerger, which potentially made it vulnerable to an attack, security experts say.

By Samantha Liss • Oct. 27, 2022

Low admissions lead to $42M net loss for CHS, despite lower contract labor spend

Falling admissions, Hurricane Ian and an unfavorable payer mix contributed to the net loss, outpacing an effort by CHS to reduce contract labor expenses in the third quarter.

By Sydney Halleman • Oct. 27, 2022

Baxter warns hospitals to stop using connected incontinence pads over interference risk

The interference may affect insulin pumps, fetal monitors, telemetry devices, bladder scanners and infusion pumps.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Oct. 27, 2022

Over 200,000 healthcare workers quit jobs last year

Internal medicine, family practice, clinical psychology, chiropractic and psychology were among the specialties facing the highest turnover in 2021, according to a report from Definitive Healthcare.

By Hailey Mensik • Oct. 26, 2022

UHS focusing on lowering premium pay, filling staff roles as it faces inflationary pressure

CFO Steve Filton said that, while he doesn’t believe premium pay will return to pre-pandemic levels in the foreseeable future, a lull in COVID-19 cases could give UHS an opportunity to reduce costs as demand for contract labor drops.

By Shannon Muchmore • Oct. 26, 2022

13 hospitals receive funding as special pathogen care hubs

The healthcare facilities will lead regional responses against pathogens such as COVID-19, Ebola and monkeypox.

By Susan Kelly • Oct. 26, 2022

Hospitals pivot to new tactics as they try to recruit, retain staff

“We’re not just competing among healthcare organizations anymore,” Geisinger Chief Nursing Officer Janet Tomcavage said. “Now we’re really competing with the broader labor market.” 

By Hailey Mensik • Oct. 26, 2022

10-week Kaiser strike ends with deal aimed at improving mental health access

About 2,000 mental health clinicians at the system’s facilities in Northern California walked off the job in protest of what they said were prolonged wait times and unmanageable work loads.

By Hailey Mensik • Oct. 25, 2022

Hospital efforts to tackle social determinants of health stall, data shows

The study of hospitals serving vulnerable patient populations said limited resources and workforce constraints may be stifling progress.

By Susan Kelly • Oct. 24, 2022

New York nurses union merges with NNU, US’s largest nursing syndicate

The addition of 42,000 NYSNA members brings NNU’s total membership to about 225,000 registered nurses.

By Hailey Mensik • Oct. 21, 2022