COVID-19 impact on US healthcare system will stretch for decades, Fitch says

In the long term, hospitals will face increased pressure from tight labor and wage markets, especially for experienced staff, as well as rising pharmaceutical and supply chain costs, the ratings agency warned.

By Shannon Muchmore • July 29, 2021

Systems can nudge more healthcare workers to get vaccinated through targeted messaging: JAMA report

Among unvaccinated workers at Geisinger's system in Pennsylvania, an email nudge playing up social norms and virus risk caused more than twice as many employees to register for a shot compared with those who didn't get the note.

By Hailey Mensik • July 28, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Payer/provider relationships

As M&A intensifies and companies embrace more holistic and value-based care models, partnerships have become more closely intertwined.

By Healthcare Dive staff

UHS posts Q2 profit, but executives warn delta variant could stress labor challenges

"The concern is with the resurgence of COVID that turnover rates could increase because we've seen turnover rates increase every time that COVID volumes increase," CEO Marc Miller said.

By Hailey Mensik • July 27, 2021

Mayo Clinic named U.S. News top hospital for sixth straight year

For the first time, the annual rankings also took a look at some health equity metrics, although they were not factored into the overall scores.

By Shannon Muchmore • July 27, 2021

CommonSpirit tinkers with SNF at home in Nebraska

As COVID-19 ravaged skilled nursing facilities around the country, patients pushed back against being discharged to nursing homes, spurring hospital leaders to come up with an alternative.

By Samantha Liss • July 26, 2021

Rising COVID-19 cases force AdventHealth in Florida to delay some surgeries

The latest move to curtail elective procedures in central Florida is a troubling sign in the fight against COVID-19 as the highly contagious delta variant continues to wreak havoc.

By Samantha Liss • July 26, 2021

Growing cyberattacks on hospitals may soon hit bottom lines, patient care: Fitch

"Hospital and health system databases are a treasure trove of critical and sensitive patient data, which are highly sought after by cyber criminals for ransomware and double extortion schemes," the report warns.

By Ron Shinkman • July 23, 2021

VA pauses embattled Cerner EHR rollout for 6 months in major revamp

VA Secretary Donald Remy, who was sworn in just last week, plans to release an updated deployment schedule by the end of this year.

By Rebecca Pifer • July 22, 2021

Tenet rebounds in Q2, buoyed by volume recoveries

CEO Ron Rittenmeyer told investors the quarter came in "better than expected on many fronts," but asked them to "please realize we're not claiming any victory, and we're not relaxing."

By Hailey Mensik • July 22, 2021

Hospital lobbies back COVID-19 vaccine requirements for healthcare workers

A coalition of over 50 medical groups took a stronger stance than the American Hospital Association in a joint statement Monday urging healthcare facilities to require COVID-19 vaccines for employees.

By Samantha Liss • Updated July 26, 2021

FDA seeks funds, powers to fix 'great weaknesses' in medical device supply chain

Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock wants Congress to give the agency "expanded authority to obtain supply disruption notifications for critical devices any time there is the potential for a shortage."

By Nick Paul Taylor • July 22, 2021

OSHA standard compliance date arrives amid confusion, industry pushback

Provider groups say the lengthy rule effective Wednesday is tricky to implement in just 30 days, especially with a variety of exemptions for vaccinated employees.

By Hailey Mensik • July 21, 2021

Black patients have worse safety outcomes than White patients at the same hospital, study finds

Urban Institute researchers analyzed 11 safety indicators and found in six of those, Black patients experienced significantly worse patient safety outcomes than White patients of the same age and gender treated in the same facility.

By Rebecca Pifer • July 20, 2021

Patient volume rebound spurs HCA to $1.7B net income in Q2

The system, considered the industry bellwether for the hospital earnings season, raised its full-year expectations for earnings and revenue following the results, banking on continued demand.

By Rebecca Pifer • July 20, 2021

CMS pitches stiffening price transparency fines, halting end of inpatient-only list

Hospitals notched a win with the proposal to reverse the Trump administration's rollback of the inpatient-only list, but took hits with added enforcement of the pricing rule and in other areas.

By Shannon Muchmore • July 20, 2021

HHS earmarks $103M to address burnout among healthcare workers

The sector already had a high rate of stress and burnout, but the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly exacerbated the problem, especially as the delta variant causes hospitalizations to surge in some parts of the country.

By Ron Shinkman • July 19, 2021

Want to quickly recover from ransomware? Plan ahead

Security teams need to understand how the business will work when an attacker limits access to its systems. A recent report found that more than a third of healthcare organizations suffered a ransomware attack last year.

By Katie Malone • July 19, 2021

Large self-insured employers lack power in hospital price negotiations

A study in The American Journal of Managed care found that hospital market power far outweighs employer market power, suggesting employers may want to consider forging purchase alliances with local government employee groups.

By Samantha Liss • July 16, 2021

National healthcare organizations call on hospitals to require vaccines for employees

The statement comes as the nation is experiencing a rise in COVID-19 cases, which experts fear will hamper the fight to stop the pandemic.

By Samantha Liss • July 14, 2021

Microsoft, Teladoc partner on virtual care integration for hospitals

The companies said the bid to streamline clinician access to telehealth was the first of new tools they plan to bring to market.

By Rebecca Pifer • July 14, 2021

CMS proposes extension of Medicare telehealth coverage

Provider groups are not happy with the payment adjustment in the rule — a 3.75% reduction to the conversion factor due to budget neutrality requirements — and will likely seek congressional intervention.

By Shannon Muchmore • July 14, 2021

Women teaching internal medicine paid far less than men, study finds

Female academics were paid at least 90% of men's median yearly salary in 10 of 13 internal medicine specialties, according to new research published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

By Rebecca Pifer • July 13, 2021

Cleveland Clinic, New York-Presbyterian among hospitals with biggest charity care, community benefits deficit

According to Lown's 2021 Hospitals Index, nonprofit hospitals fell short in community investments by nearly $17 billion in the past year.

By Ron Shinkman • July 12, 2021

The future of care starts with a renewed focus on the patient

For hospitals and health systems intent on thriving in the emerging consumer-based healthcare landscape, a broad-based and encompassing focus on acute care needs is a must. 

By Gregg Miller, MD • July 12, 2021

Patient satisfaction differs between inpatient, outpatient settings, Leapfrog finds

Surveys show that while patients are satisfied on several levels, safety issues remain a significant concern, especially when children are being treated.

By Ron Shinkman • July 9, 2021