The California Association of Physician Groups, which represents physician groups and affiliates in 22 states across the country, has opened an office in Washington, D.C., to ensure accountable care remains a priority for Congress and President Barack Obama's administration.

Since 2009, Medicare has paid approximately $5.1 billion for skilled nursing facility stays that did not meet quality-of-care requirements, according to a report by HHS' Office of Inspector General.

Medicare and Medicaid patients are more likely than other patients to be admitted to a hospital within seven days of being discharged from an emergency department, according to a study in Annals of Emergency Medicine.

A free venous thromboembolism prophylaxis pocket card is available from IPRO, the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for New York state, to guide providers in choosing prophylactic measures for different surgeries.

From 2010 to 2011, inpatient admissions for substance use increased 19.5 percent and mental health admissions increased 5.9 percent, according to a Health Care Cost Institute report.

The operating room is the traditional revenue engine of the hospital. Perioperative services at better performing institutions contribute up to 68 percent of a hospital's revenue. As the U.S. healthcare paradigm changes from quantity to quality, accountable care and Value-Based…

Harrisburg, Pa.-based PinnacleHealth is expanding its participation in Pittsburgh-based Highmark's patient-centered medical home program to include its medical group practices.

Before implementing innovations in a healthcare organization, its leaders need to consider multiple factors, including the strength of evidence for the innovation and the likelihood the innovation will succeed in the organization, according to a perspective piece on the Agency…

A free guide on reducing harm from high-alert medications is available from the Health Research & Educational Trust, an affiliate of the American Hospital Association and supporter of Partnership for Patients.

Hospitals can improve the rate of influenza vaccination among its employees by understanding the factors associated with vaccination, according to a study in the American Journal of Infection Control.