Kelsey Brimmer
Since 2008 when CMS first implemented the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey for U.S. hospitals, the scores from these surveys have become increasingly more important to hospital executives as a measure of quality. They are now used to determine 30 percent of the total incentive under the Hospital Value Based Purchasing program.
Last month, Paul R. Bengston, CEO of Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital, a small, critical access hospital located in St. Johnsbury, Vt., was chosen to lead the American Hospital Association's Section for Small or Rural Hospitals in 2014. The 21-person governing council represents small or rural hospitals in the AHA's policy process and member services initiatives.
Since the recession first began in 2008, hospitals and health systems have continually seen a drop in inpatient volumes. Most industry experts say they expect more of the same for the rest of 2014 and even the next five years or so.
Honolulu's Kuakini Medical Center was anticipating an enormous capital investment to upgrade its energy systems, when a golden opportunity came along.
When hospitals merge, the focus tends to be on how much will go to pay off debt and how much will be reinvested in capital improvements. But little notice is paid to a by-product of such transactions - the creation of charitable foundations.
Like many businesses faced with a transforming industry, hospital operators are working on ways to evolve into new models while bringing in revenue.
Back in the early 2000s, Mid-State Health Center was in dire need. The new CEO knew something had to be done immediately, but the facility didn't have access to appropriate funding. So, the CEO got creative.
Many healthcare organizations are realizing that in less than nine months, ICD-10 will be upon them. Healthcare Finance News talked to some industry experts to find out where organizations are in the run up to Oct. 1.
The trend of CEOs being hired with business development and financial management expertise but no healthcare experience has spurred much discussion in the healthcare community. Healthcare Finance News talked to some "insiders" to get the pulse of the conversation.
Empowered consumers, rapid innovation and increasing competition are among PwC's top health industry issues for 2014.