Hospitals scramble to triage amid testing delays, PPE shortages, OIG finds

Scarcity of tests and delayed results meant presumptive positive patients greatly strained bed availability, PPE supplies and staffing, the survey of 323 hospital officials found. AHA called it an accurate reflection of the situation.

By Hailey Mensik • April 7, 2020

OCR suspends some HIPAA regulations in response to COVID-19

The HHS agency said it would use its discretion to not enforce the law against "the good faith uses and disclosures of protected health information." The change mostly applies to business associates and federal agencies.

By Ron Shinkman • April 3, 2020

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

Quorum files for bankruptcy

The CHS spinoff had warned the action might be necessary after years of flagging financial performance. The system has entered into a restructuring agreement with terms to reduce its debt by about $500 million.

By Hailey Mensik • Updated April 7, 2020

HHS to divert some of $100B hospital COVID-19 funding to uninsured

AHA seemed to object to the order, saying funding to treat the uninsured should come from new legislation or an emergency program as the $100 billion for them "was intended to provide hospitals with an infusion of emergency relief."

By Shannon Muchmore • Updated April 6, 2020

Hospitals should brace for up to 17-fold surge in demand for supplies

The average respondent to a survey from Premier had 23 days of N95 respiratory mask inventory on hand, but those with active COVID-19 patients had an average of just three days' worth.

By Hailey Mensik • April 2, 2020

Tenet pulls 2020 guidance in wake of COVID-19 impact

The for-profit hospital chain said its system is not currently overwhelmed but has rescheduled "a substantial amount" of elective procedures and closed or reduced hours at ambulatory surgery and outpatient centers.

By Shannon Muchmore • April 2, 2020

AHA wants private payers to do more to help hospitals fight COVID-19. Payers say they've done a lot already

"We are working hard to offer billions of dollars of additional resources and enhanced coverage," AHIP SVP of Communications Kristine Grow told Healthcare Dive. "But these resources are not infinite."

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • April 2, 2020

AHA seeks $25K per hospital bed from emergency COVID-19 fund

The unprecedented package signed late last week gave wide discretion to HHS for how the $100 billion to health systems would be divided and sent to providers.

By Shannon Muchmore • April 1, 2020

Dorm rooms as hospitals, ER telehealth: CMS creates 'unprecedented' flexibility as COVID-19 rages on

Hospital groups on Tuesday applauded the actions from CMS, with the American Hospital Association calling the ability to care for patients outside of hospitals' four walls a "critical lifeline."

By Shannon Muchmore • Updated April 1, 2020

Joint Commission backs clinicians demanding freedom to bring their own PPE to work

After nurses filed more than 125 complaints with OSHA, the accrediting body for many hospitals issued a statement supporting staff that bring their own personal protective equipment amid shortages.

By Hailey Mensik • March 31, 2020

Cleveland Clinic mum on COVID-19 hit, reports jump in 2019 operating income

The health system tallied across the board increases in inpatient admissions, surgical cases and emergency room visits for the year.

By Samantha Liss • March 31, 2020

Retirees, medical students called to help treat COVID-19 patients

The shortage and rapid scramble to find more workers highlights a debate among medical groups about whether medical licensing should be managed federally.

By Hailey Mensik • March 30, 2020

How hospital capacity varies dramatically across the country

COVID-19 cases are surging across the country, just as it marches further into flu season. In light of the renewed concern, Healthcare Dive is resharing a Deep Dive examining baseline U.S. hospital capacity in March.

By Samantha Liss, Nami Sumida • March 30, 2020

As COVID-19 drives demand for some healthcare workers, others furloughed

Traveling nurses and some specialties are needed but others, like gastroenterology and cardiology face dwindling patients.  

By Hailey Mensik • March 27, 2020

Hospitals already short N95 respirators, ventilators, surgical masks, survey shows

"It's clear that supply shortages have only grown worse as COVID-19 cases spread, and there are now multiple domestic and international organizations competing with healthcare providers for limited supplies," the GPO Premier warned.

By Ron Shinkman • March 27, 2020

Trump signs $2T stimulus package, clearing $100B for struggling hospitals

The bill, the largest piece of emergency aid in U.S. history, was cleared by the House of Representatives earlier on Friday.

By Samantha Liss • Updated March 27, 2020

Even with billions from Congress, hospitals set to lose over $1K per COVID-19 case

Those hits, coupled with the loss of lucrative elective procedures — which most hospitals have halted amid the outbreak — could be catastrophic for facilities, especially those in rural areas and with little cash on hand.

By Shannon Muchmore • March 25, 2020

How health systems are responding as COVID-19 squeezes the medical supply chain

Procurement of supplies will become more difficult if cases surge and federal stockpiles don't trickle down to the state level quickly enough.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • March 25, 2020

Kaiser Permanente shelves $900M headquarters build

The integrated healthcare giant planned to build a 29-floor, 1.6 million-square-foot tower in what would have been Oakland's largest commercial project. The decision to stop the project was not related to COVID-19, officials said.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • March 25, 2020

As Congress gains ground on stimulus, healthcare workers ask people to stay home

President Donald Trump, however, said he wanted the nation to be "opened up" by Easter, despite strong advice from public health experts that the U.S. continue social distancing efforts.

By Shannon Muchmore • March 25, 2020

Amid mounting shortage, 5 facts about the nation's stockpile of emergency medical supplies

As healthcare workers across the country scramble for personal protective equipment and other supplies, states are sending in their requests to the Strategic National Stockpile.

By Hailey Mensik • March 24, 2020

On 10th anniversary, embattled Affordable Care Act faces yet another stress test

The law now faces a significant test as the nation likely heads into a recession amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, straining the health system in an unprecedented way.

March 23, 2020

COVID-19 threatens to overwhelm hospitals. They're weighing how best to ration care.

"You're going to see variation in what is decided floor to floor, doctor to doctor, hospital to hospital," Arthur Caplan, head of the division of medical ethics at NYU School of Medicine, told Healthcare Dive.

By Samantha Liss • March 23, 2020

FDA eases rules on ventilator manufacturers as Medtronic, Tesla talk

While the administration encourages other sectors to pivot to help fight the crisis, providers and some lawmakers want to use the Defense Production Act to compel them. But President Donald Trump has resisted that.

By Nick Paul Taylor • March 23, 2020

Hospital leaders plead for financial help, warn of closures, missing payroll

Hospital leaders from around the country described their dire financial straits amid a pandemic and expected surge in patients.

By Samantha Liss • March 21, 2020