Recent high-profile data breaches represent a horror story for health care organizations. Here are some steps your board can take to stay one step ahead of the cyber criminals.

September 2023 Issue of Becker's Hospital Review   ON THE COVER David Callendar, MD. President and CEO of Memorial Hermann Health System Labor costs have spun out of control in the last few years as inflation set in and hospitals relied on contracted travel nurses to combat nationwide workforce shortages. Tom Mihaljevic, MD. President and CEO of Cleveland Clinic When Tom Mihaljevic, MD, took over as president and CEO of Cleveland Clinic five years ago, something began to weigh heavily on his mind. Robyn Begley, DNP, RN. CEO of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership While patient safety should always be a top priority, being forced to abide by nurse-to-patient ratios when scheduling takes away nurse leaders' ability to exercise their own clinical power, Robyn Begley, DNP, RN, CEO of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, told Becker's. Rob Allen. President and CEO of Intermountain Health U.S. News & World Report, Healthgrades, The Leapfrog Group and CMS, among other outlets, have long offered hospital ratings, rankings and grades, which measure organizations based on many factors. 'The wall doesn't care': 1 CMO on getting things done in a shifting environment Eric Katz, MD, chief medical officer at Banner Estrella Medical Center, loves nothing more than to build better mousetraps. The 15-minute meeting that transformed Cleveland Clinic When Tom Mihaljevic, MD, took over as president and CEO of Cleveland Clinic five years ago, something began to weigh heavily on his mind. The health system CEO who wants all of your questions (even about his pay) At San Diego-based Scripps Health, CEO Chris Van Gorder has stuck with a few leadership philosophies over the course of his 23-year tenure, including radical transparency with more than 2,500 physicians. '1 size doesn't fit all': A nurse leader's case against staffing ratios While patient safety should always be a top priority, being forced to abide by nurse-to-patient ratios when scheduling takes away nurse leaders' ability to exercise their own clinical power, Robyn Begley, DNP, RN, CEO of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, told Becker's. Drop 'satisfaction' metrics and use these 2, Banner CMO says When systems use metrics like employee and patient satisfaction, what they're really trying to capture is employee pride and patient loyalty, Eric Katz, MD, chief medical officer at Phoenix-based Banner Estrella Medical Center, told Becker's. Pay cuts continue in the C-suite As companies endure difficult times, some are maintaining one cost-cutting measure from the pandemic's early days: reduced pay for executives. Deaconess Health to acquire Indiana hospital Evansville, Ind.-based Deaconess Health, a 20-hospital system, entered into an affiliation agreement July 26 to acquire the Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center based in Jasper, Ind. Does nursing need a rebrand to attract more men? A nursing background can lead to a myriad of job paths. That comes as no surprise to those already working in the profession, but there's an immense opportunity for healthcare organizations to do a better job at showcasing just how diverse the range of career options are with a nursing degree — especially when it comes to attracting more men to the field. What's missing from discussions on the nursing shortage? 9 CNOs weigh inWhen it comes to the nursing shortage, much of the national rhetoric is focused on nurses who have left the bedside, or projections on how many more are planning an exit. But there is a need for more emphasis to be placed on the now: How can nursing delivery models change to best support and retain today's nurses while also attracting more individuals to the profession? Why the pandemic-era acceleration of health tech isn't going away The COVID-19 pandemic intensified the need for new healthcare technology adoption at hospitals and health systems, and CIOs predict that this accelerated pace is likely to continue as organizations look for ways to optimize workflows, operations and increase efficiency. Michael Dowling: We have to be careful AI doesn't outsmart us Northwell Health CEO Michael Dowling said although artificial intelligence has the potential to enhance healthcare delivery, he fears there could come a day where the technology could outsmart the human brain, Politico reported July 20. Healthcare's tedious work is also dangerous The U.S. healthcare system is one of extremes, in which the same patient on the same day can experience herculean efforts to return to health while being denied a $12 medication, according to one physician's op-ed in The New York Times. CFO / FINANCE The health system CEO who wants all of your questions (even about his pay) At San Diego-based Scripps Health, CEO Chris Van Gorder has stuck with a few leadership philosophies over the course of his 23-year tenure, including radical transparency with more than 2,500 physicians. Pay cuts continue in the C-suite As companies endure difficult times, some are maintaining one cost-cutting measure from the pandemic's early days: reduced pay for executives  Prisma Health to outsource 689 jobs Greenville, S.C.-based Prisma Health has entered into a partnership with Compass One Healthcare to provide environmental services. As a result of the deal, the health system will terminate the employment of 689 environmental services workers at the end of August, though every individual will have the opportuinity to continue their role as a Compass One Healthcare employee, according to a WARN notice filed with the state July 13. Hospital CEOs get serious about cutting labor costs Labor costs have spun out of control in the last few years as inflation set in and hospitals relied on contracted travel nurses to combat nationwide workforce shortages. Aspirus Health and St. Luke's Duluth to combine to form 19-hospital system Wausau, Wis.-based Aspirus Health and Duluth, Minn.-based St. Luke's have signed a letter of intent to affiliate and jointly serve patients in their home states and Michigan, according to a July 12 release. CEO/STRATEGY  The 15-minute meeting that transformed Cleveland Clinic When Tom Mihaljevic, MD, took over as president and CEO of Cleveland Clinic five years ago, something began to weigh heavily on his mind. Jefferson executive resigns after Twitter trouble Mark Tykocinski, MD, has resigned from his roles as president of Thomas Jefferson University and interim dean of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College in Philadelphia. CEO of CHS hospital in Indiana to leave role Clyde Wood, CEO of Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind., is leaving his role, The Journal Gazette reported July 28. New Mexico hospital CEO resigns Caleb O'Rear has resigned as CEO of Alta Vista Regional Hospital in Las Vegas, N.M., the Las Vegas Optic reported July 20. The CEO Forum: 10 CEOs transforming healthcare The CEO Forum Group, a media and marketing company focused exclusively on CEOs, recently released its latest list of the "Top 10 CEOs Transforming Healthcare in America." THOUGHT LEADERSHIP What's it like to outsource to Optum? A New York health system CEO explains Health systems across the country have outsourced administrative functions to UnitedHealth Group's Optum in an effort to cut costs and streamline operations. Does nursing need a rebrand to attract more men? A nursing background can lead to a myriad of job paths. That comes as no surprise to those already working in the profession, but there's an immense opportunity for healthcare organizations to do a better job at showcasing just how diverse the range of career options are with a nursing degree — especially when it comes to attracting more men to the field. The misconception that young physicians 'don't want to work that hard' Each generation views the world differently, and there are some communication gaps administrators and systems have not yet bridged with younger physicians, Doug Bruce, MD, chief clinical integration officer at Cleveland-based MetroHealth, recently told Becker's. 'Use less; lose less; and hire more': Hospital CEOs buck layoff, pay cut trends With labor costs on the rise, many hospitals and health systems are making cuts. What's missing from discussions on the nursing shortage? 9 CNOs weigh inWhen it comes to the nursing shortage, much of the national rhetoric is focused on nurses who have left the bedside, or projections on how many more are planning an exit. But there is a need for more emphasis to be placed on the now: How can nursing delivery models change to best support and retain today's nurses while also attracting more individuals to the profession? INNOVATION Why the pandemic-era acceleration of health tech isn't going away The COVID-19 pandemic intensified the need for new healthcare technology adoption at hospitals and health systems, and CIOs predict that this accelerated pace is likely to continue as organizations look for ways to optimize workflows, operations and increase efficiency. Not just tech: 'Hospital at home' has to take caregivers into account, experts say As hospital-at-home programs have expanded, so have responsibilities for family caregivers, NPR reported. Health IT execs at Johns Hopkins, Temple, UC Davis + 4 more weigh in on limits of telehealth Telehealth remains a powerful tool for treating patients from their homes, but connectivity issues and legal confusion around telehealth restrictions still limit the technology, health IT executives told Becker's. Michael Dowling: We have to be careful AI doesn't outsmart us Northwell Health CEO Michael Dowling said although artificial intelligence has the potential to enhance healthcare delivery, he fears there could come a day where the technology could outsmart the human brain, Politico reported July 20. Why large EHR installs are like 'trying to fix a plane while flying' Daniel Barchi, CIO of Chicago-based CommonSpirit, said large electronic health record implementations often have problems that are far more than just technical, Politico reported July 21. CMO CARE DELIVERY  Most socially responsible hospital in each state: Lown Institute The Lown Institute has released its 2023 list of America's most socially responsible hospitals, including the highest-ranked hospitals for social responsibility in each state.  FDA releases strategy for Pfizer's damaged plant There will not be immediate or significant disruptions to the U.S. hospital drug market after a tornado hit a Pfizer plant in Rocky Mount, N.C., according to the FDA. Nurse practitioners sue California over restricted use of 'doctor' Three nurse practitioners are suing the state of California for its restrictions over the use of "doctor," asking the court to prevent enforcement of the law, The Washington Post reported July 18. Emergency physicians denounce corporate management The American College of Emergency Physicians has updated its position on non-physician-led emergency medical practices, stating physicians — not corporations — should make medical and business decisions. Healthcare's tedious work is also dangerous The U.S. healthcare system is one of extremes, in which the same patient on the same day can experience herculean efforts to return to health while being denied a $12 medication, according to one physician's op-ed in The New York Times. CIO / Health IT Why this medical school is teaching residents to use chatbots for diagnosis Physicians at Boston-based Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center are teaching students to use artificial intelligence chatbots to help diagnose cases, The New York Times reported July 22. Why Johns Hopkins Medicine is charging for MyChart messages Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins Medicine will begin charging for some MyChart messages July 18. HCA faces lawsuit over massive data breach Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare is facing a lawsuit for a recent data theft incident that affected 171 hospitals and health systems across the U.S. and may have breached information of about 11 million patients. Why Epic is opposing new interoperability, transparency rules Epic, the nation's largest EHR vendor, opposed some proposed changes by ONC that the agency says will improve interoperability, healthcare data exchange and health IT transparency. Cleveland Clinic CIO to move to Inova Falls Church, Va.-based Inova has named Matthew Kull as its new chief information and digital officer. He will join the health system on Aug. 7. WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP A UPMC nurse's rapid rise to leadership Ashley Iannazzo, DNP, RN, has experienced various changes during her career trajectory. Most recently, she went from one direct report three years ago to overseeing about 700 employees as senior director of clinical operations at the UPMC Center for Nursing Excellence and UPMC Travel Staffing senior nurse leader. The downside of remote work for women The women's workforce has largely benefitted from the pandemic-spurred surge in remote work offerings. Millions of mothers with young children who left the workforce in 2020 found balance with the ability to work from home, and there are now more women in the labor force than ever. The latest recruitment trend: 'Quiet hiring' Many people are familiar with the term "quiet quitting," which refers to a phenomenon in which employees reduce their enthusiasm at work and stick to the minimum expectations of their role. Now another labor-related trend is trending: "quiet hiring." Fastest growing C-suite role screeches to a halt Chief diversity officers rapidly gained prevalence in 2020. Now, the role is being vacated in droves — a decision driven not only by employers, but by diversity leaders themselves, The Wall Street Journal reported July 21. 47% of women physicians pass up on career opportunities — here's why A recent survey of 1,056 female physicians found that career pressures influenced timing of childbearing and may contribute to ongoing gender disparities and attrition.

Key findings from the 2022 AAPPR benchmarking report that will help physician recruiters address the top challenges of their role.

July/August 2023 Issue of Becker's Clinical Leadership & Infection Control   ON THE COVER Top 9 reasons healthcare workers quitHealthcare organizations must make sure employees feel valued and well-paid to retain them, according to Grant Thornton's State of Work in America report. Debate over masking in healthcare settings persists post-PHE Now is not the time to do away with masks in healthcare settings, two infectious disease physicians wrote in a commentary published May 16 in Annals of Internal Medicine, an indication that the debate over whether hospitals should continue to mandate masking is not wavering any time soon. Fauci: Why the chances of eradicating the COVID-19 virus are 'zero' Anthony Fauci, MD, believes the chances of eradicating the virus that causes COVID-19 are zero. Neglect allegations spur internal review at Boston hospital Lemuel Shattuck Hospital in Boston is conducting an internal review of inpatient deaths in response to allegations of neglect and suboptimal care for patients with mental health disabilities. AI could end the war on antibiotic-resistant bacteria Cambridge, Mass.-based MIT and Ontario, Canada-based McMaster University researchers have found a new antibiotic treatment that can kill a common bacteria in hospital infections thanks to machine learning. CDC publishes ventilation guidance for respiratory infection The CDC published guidance on improving building ventilation to protect people from respiratory infections. 'F' to 'A': How this Chicago hospital leaped to top safety grade In past years, leaders at St. Bernard Hospital on Chicago's South Side weren't fans of The Leapfrog Group's safety grades that are handed out twice a year. "F" grades in both spring and fall of 2021 had been stinging reminders that the safety net hospital wasn't doing enough to focus on patient safety. The 5 fastest growing jobs within nursing Here are the fastest growing jobs within nursing between 2021 and 2031, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. What experienced nurses want newer peers to know Nurses with decades of experience have been there, done that, seen and heard it all. They are more than willing to share advice about what they wish new nurses could already know and feel today that would help strengthen their practice. Spike in HAIs should 'stop hospitals in their tracks': Leapfrog Data released as part of The Leapfrog Group's annual hospital rankings — which analyzed data from late 2021 and into 2022 — revealed a significant rise in healthcare-associated infections — a trend that was in decline prior to the pandemic. Better work environment for nurses tied to lower C. diff rates Nurses at the bedside play a key role in prevention of hospital-onset Clostridioides difficile in patients, a new study has found. 'It's going to get worse': Experts warn of rising fungal infections Fungal infections are on the rise — in part due to more people with compromised immune systems and deadly pathogens adapting to warmer temperatures — and physicians need to be ready, experts told The Wall Street Journal in a June 22 report. 3rd physician leaves Kansas hospital amid CEO termination A third physician has left Norton (Kan.) County Hospital amid the termination of former CEO Brian Kirk. INFECTION CONTROL Spike in HAIs should 'stop hospitals in their tracks': Leapfrog Data released as part of The Leapfrog Group's annual hospital rankings — which analyzed data from late 2021 and into 2022 — revealed a significant rise in healthcare-associated infections — a trend that was in decline prior to the pandemic. Better work environment for nurses tied to lower C. diff rates Nurses at the bedside play a key role in prevention of hospital-onset Clostridioides difficile in patients, a new study has found. The case for letting nurses initiate C. diff testing Allowing bedside nurses to independently order Clostridioides difficile testing could help hospitals lower the risk of patient infections and associated deaths, according to a study published May 11 in the American Journal of Infection Control. Debate over masking in healthcare settings persists post-PHE Now is not the time to do away with masks in healthcare settings, two infectious disease physicians wrote in a commentary published May 16 in Annals of Internal Medicine, an indication that the debate over whether hospitals should continue to mandate masking is not wavering any time soon. Stop antibiotics after surgery, says new guidance New guidance on surgical site infections calls for physicians to cease antibiotic prophylaxis immediately after surgeries, according to research published May 4 in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology. It is the first major revision to the guidelines since 2014. PATIENT SAFETY & OUTCOMES What's happened since Roe v. Wade fell 1 year ago The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade June 24, 2022. Since then, healthcare workers have been hesitant to provide some services, hospitals in states with abortion bans struggled to hire and pharmacies navigated confusion over which products they could dispense. Texas Children's to end transgender careTexas Children's Hospital will stop offering hormone therapy and other transgender care, according to the Houston Chronicle and ABC affiliate KTRK. Trans individuals' ER visits more likely to result in admittance: Report Transgender individuals' emergency department visits are 52.4 percent more likely to result in hospital admittance, and they are often more ill when they show up to ERs than their cisgender counterparts, according to researchers at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. PATIENT & CAREGIVER EXPERIENCE Top 9 reasons healthcare workers quitHealthcare organizations must make sure employees feel valued and well-paid to retain them, according to Grant Thornton's State of Work in America report. New York health system invites back employees fired over COVID vaccine mandateSyracuse, N.Y.-based St. Joseph's Health is inviting back employees who were terminated for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, WSTM reported May 31. 3rd physician leaves Kansas hospital amid CEO termination A third physician has left Norton (Kan.) County Hospital amid the termination of former CEO Brian Kirk. QUALITY IMPROVEMENT & MEASUREMENT 'F' to 'A': How this Chicago hospital leaped to top safety grade In past years, leaders at St. Bernard Hospital on Chicago's South Side weren't fans of The Leapfrog Group's safety grades that are handed out twice a year. "F" grades in both spring and fall of 2021 had been stinging reminders that the safety net hospital wasn't doing enough to focus on patient safety. Neglect allegations spur internal review at Boston hospital Lemuel Shattuck Hospital in Boston is conducting an internal review of inpatient deaths in response to allegations of neglect and suboptimal care for patients with mental health disabilities. How HCA Healthcare's 200+ person team preps for hurricane season + beyond As one of the nation's largest health systems, Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA healthcare facilities extend beyond its home base and into the heart of hurricane territory across Florida, Texas, Louisiana, South Carolina and Georgia. Preparing for the season is routine, unlike the unpredictable storms that pose a threat to patients and clinicians if they make landfall. NURSING SPOTLIGHT What experienced nurses want newer peers to know Nurses with decades of experience have been there, done that, seen and heard it all. They are more than willing to share advice about what they wish new nurses could already know and feel today that would help strengthen their practice. The 5 fastest growing jobs within nursing Here are the fastest growing jobs within nursing between 2021 and 2031, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Listen up, experienced nurses: New nurses have a few things to tell you The late Andy Rooney once said, "Age is nothing but experience, and some of us are more experienced than others." That said, in the nursing profession, there's something new to be learned every day.

August 2023 Issue of Becker's Hospital Review ON THE COVER Jandel Allen-Davis, MD. President and CEO of Craig Hospital Two terms that have struck a nerve with Becker's audience in the past year are "imposter syndrome" and the "glass cliff." Peter Pronovost, MD, PhD. Chief quality and Clinical transformation officer at University Hospitals Cleveland-based University Hospitals has launched a $10 million innovation effort to identify, test and scale solutions for some of healthcare's biggest problems, the organization said June 28. Doug Bruce, MD. Chief clinical integration officer at MetroHealth Each generation views the world differently, and there are some communication gaps administrators and systems have not yet bridged with younger physicians, Doug Bruce, MD, chief clinical integration officer at Cleveland-based MetroHealth, recently told Becker's. Gene Finley. CFO at J Paul Jones Hospital As the Federal Reserve navigates a "soft landing" and the job market cools, recession fears are easing among some economists. Should hospitals worry about a recession? Maybe, CFOs say As the Federal Reserve navigates a "soft landing" and the job market cools, recession fears are easing among some economists. Which C-suite leaders are getting promoted to CEO? As CEO exits continue to climb, some hospitals and health systems are looking internally to fill the roles they leave behind. But in a C-suite full of talent, who is best poised to take the helm? Where have all the preceptors gone? Nurse leaders offer strategies to build a pipeline Nurse leaders in hospitals and academia agree more nurse preceptors are needed to guide new graduates through their first year at the bedside. The 'goldilocks' strategy: University Hospitals eyes fixes for healthcare's biggest issues Cleveland-based University Hospitals has launched a $10 million innovation effort to identify, test and scale solutions for some of healthcare's biggest problems, the organization said June 28. 1 healthcare leader's plea: 'We need better connection between generations' Each generation views the world differently, and there are some communication gaps administrators and systems have not yet bridged with younger physicians, Doug Bruce, MD, chief clinical integration officer at Cleveland-based MetroHealth, recently told Becker's. CMS floats 2.2% cut to home health payments in 2024 CMS has proposed a 2.2 percent pay cut for home health providers next year, or an estimated $375 million less than 2023 levels. Tampa General extends CEO's tenure 10 yearsJohn Couris, president and CEO of Florida Health Sciences Center doing business as Tampa General Hospital, has accepted an offer from the board that extends the terms of his employment agreement for another decade. Leapfrog: Disparities persist at top-graded hospitals Racial disparities in rates of adverse events persist even at the top-rated hospitals for safety, a new report from The Leapfrog Group shows.  What 3 health systems are charging for MyChart messages A growing number of health systems are starting to charge patients for asking for their physicians' advice through online patient portals, such as MyChart. Here are some hospitals and health systems partaking in the trend: Can CVS CEO Karen Lynch save healthcare? CVS Health CEO Karen Lynch, the "most powerful woman in business," has a chance to transform healthcare as the leader of the industry's second-largest company, Fortune reported June 7. Imposter syndrome, glass cliffs: 1 hospital CEO on tackling challenges Two terms that have struck a nerve with Becker's audience in the past year are "imposter syndrome" and the "glass cliff."    CFO / FINANCE Should hospitals worry about a recession? Maybe, CFOs say As the Federal Reserve navigates a "soft landing" and the job market cools, recession fears are easing among some economists. Hospital finances hit turning point Hospital finances showed signs of stabilizing in May amid slightly improving operating margins, declining expenses and notable increases in outpatient visits, according to Kaufman Hall's latest "National Flash Hospital Report," which is based on data from more than 1,300 hospitals. MultiCare to lay off 200+ workersMultiCare Health System, a 12-hospital organization based in Tacoma, Wash., will lay off 229 employees, or about 1 percent of its 23,000 staff members, including about two dozen leaders, as part of cost-cutting efforts, the health system said June 29. CMS floats 2.2% cut to home health payments in 2024 CMS has proposed a 2.2 percent pay cut for home health providers next year, or an estimated $375 million less than 2023 levels. Tenet taps AmerisourceBergen exec to succeed retiring CFO Sun Park will assume the role of CFO at Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare in 2024 following the retirement of Dan Cancelmi.   CEO/STRATEGY Which C-suite leaders are getting promoted to CEO? As CEO exits continue to climb, some hospitals and health systems are looking internally to fill the roles they leave behind. But in a C-suite full of talent, who is best poised to take the helm? Kansas hospital CEO fired after stretch of administrative leave Brian Kirk was released from the CEO role at Norton (Kan.) County Hospital after being put on administrative leave and later reinstated. Tampa General extends CEO's tenure 10 yearsJohn Couris, president and CEO of Florida Health Sciences Center doing business as Tampa General Hospital, has accepted an offer from the board that extends the terms of his employment agreement for another decade.   THOUGHT LEADERSHIP Where have all the preceptors gone? Nurse leaders offer strategies to build a pipeline Nurse leaders in hospitals and academia agree more nurse preceptors are needed to guide new graduates through their first year at the bedside.   INNOVATION The 'goldilocks' strategy: University Hospitals eyes fixes for healthcare's biggest issues Cleveland-based University Hospitals has launched a $10 million innovation effort to identify, test and scale solutions for some of healthcare's biggest problems, the organization said June 28. 400+ patients mistakenly told they may have cancer due to software glitch Grail, a company that developed blood tests to detect cancer, mistakenly sent approximately 400 customers letters saying they might be positive for the disease, The New York Times reported June 4.   CMO CARE DELIVERY Leapfrog: Disparities persist at top-graded hospitals Racial disparities in rates of adverse events persist even at the top-rated hospitals for safety, a new report from The Leapfrog Group shows. 1 healthcare leader's plea: 'We need better connection between generations' Each generation views the world differently, and there are some communication gaps administrators and systems have not yet bridged with younger physicians, Doug Bruce, MD, chief clinical integration officer at Cleveland-based MetroHealth, recently told Becker's.   CIO / Health IT What 3 health systems are charging for MyChart messages A growing number of health systems are starting to charge patients for asking for their physicians' advice through online patient portals, such as MyChart. Here are some hospitals and health systems partaking in the trend: 'It's the principle of the matter': Why a Tennessee medical center said it didn't pay hackers A "sophisticated criminal cyberattack" may have breached the data of 559,000 patients at Murfreesboro (Tenn.) Medical Clinic & SurgiCenter, the healthcare provider said. 10 most hacked passwords Fifty percent of the most common passwords in the U.S. are also among the most hacked passwords, according to SafetyDetectives.com.   WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP Imposter syndrome, glass cliffs: 1 hospital CEO on tackling challenges Two terms that have struck a nerve with Becker's audience in the past year are "imposter syndrome" and the "glass cliff."  Biden announces leader of the CDC The Biden administration announced June 16 that President Joe Biden will appoint Mandy Cohen, MD, former North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services secretary, director of the CDC. 9 women making moves in healthcare The following leadership moves made by women have been reported by or shared with Becker's since June 29: Can CVS CEO Karen Lynch save healthcare? CVS Health CEO Karen Lynch, the "most powerful woman in business," has a chance to transform healthcare as the leader of the industry's second-largest company, Fortune reported June 7.

Far too often, healthcare equity is the exception, and not the rule. The fact that up to 60% of a person's healthcare is determined solely by zip code has created a healthcare system that is the least accessible to the patients who would benefit from it the most.[1]

Overview  As a leader in anesthesia management services, North American Partners in Anesthesia (NAPA) supports its nearly 5,000 clinicians in research that advances safety and the patient experience. Our scale allows NAPA to foster initiatives that produce better clinical and operational outcomes, improving the quality of care for patients and adding value for our partners.

Healthcare providers are issuing a growing number of refunds driven by rising patient financial obligation for care, expansion of preservice cost estimates with upfront collections, and complex payer reimbursement policies. Refund management is often inefficient, costly, and detracts from the patient financial experience.

July 2023 Issue of Becker's Hospital Review ON THE COVER Jaewon Ryu, MD., CEO, Geisinger. As Danville, Pa.-based Geisinger Health awaits the closure of a deal that will make it the first health system to join Kaiser Permanente's new nonprofit organization, Risant Health, President and CEO Jaewon Ryu, MD, said the system must remain focused on driving its strategy forward with "the same rigor to address the challenging headwinds our industry and our communities continue to face." Ed Tucker, CFO, Simpson General Hospital The recent fire-sale of First Republic Bank to JPMorgan Chase, the second largest bank failure in American history, is raising recession fears and forcing healthcare leaders to evaluate their exposure to macroeconomic risks. Al White, CFO, Crawford Memorial Hospital The recent fire-sale of First Republic Bank to JPMorgan Chase, the second largest bank failure in American history, is raising recession fears and forcing healthcare leaders to evaluate their exposure to macroeconomic risks. ChatGPT outperforms physicians when answering patient questions ChatGPT may be better at providing more empathetic answers to patient questions, according to an April 28 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine. Kaiser Permanente acquiring Geisinger to launch Risant Health Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente has agreed to acquire Geisinger Health in a deal that will make the Danville, Pa.-based health system the first to join Risant Health, a new nonprofit organization created by the Kaiser Foundation Hospitals. CommonSpirit taking 'decisive steps' to boost revenue, cut costs, CFO says Chicago-based CommonSpirit posted $1.1 billion in operating losses for the nine months ending March 31. The 143-hospital system said it is taking measures to help turn the losses around. CDC head departs Rochelle Walensky, MD, is exiting her role as director of the CDC at the end of June. 11 highest paid CEOs in healthcare Pharmaceutical and health insurance CEOs were among the highest-paid executives of the largest U.S. companies in 2022, according to Equilar. House bill would give FTC authority over nonprofit hospitals Lawmakers are reviving efforts to give the Federal Trade Commission authority to investigate nonprofit hospitals for anticompetitive behavior. 43% of physicians regret their career choice: AMA Researchers discovered only 57.5 percent of physicians said they would choose to become a physician again, compared to 72.2 percent of physicians in 2020. 4 hospitals, health systems testing out ChatGPT Generative AI such as ChatGPT, the artificial intelligence-based chatbot developed by OpenAI, is being touted as a tool that can revolutionize healthcare, and although it is pretty new, hospitals and health systems are working on piloting this technology to see if it can be applied to the clinical setting. Why healthcare data privacy is an 'illusion,' according to Yale professor Because so much patient information is digital nowadays, healthcare data privacy is just an "illusion" in the U.S., a Yale School of Medicine professor wrote June 1 in BMJ. CFO / FINANCE Kaiser Permanente acquiring Geisinger to launch Risant Health Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente has agreed to acquire Geisinger Health in a deal that will make the Danville, Pa.-based health system the first to join Risant Health, a new nonprofit organization created by the Kaiser Foundation Hospitals. House bill would give FTC authority over nonprofit hospitals Lawmakers are reviving efforts to give the Federal Trade Commission authority to investigate nonprofit hospitals for anticompetitive behavior.  'We never saw Risant Health coming': What leaders are saying about the Kaiser-Geisinger deal Kaiser Permanente said there was a nearly sixfold increase in social media chatter about value-based care in the week after it unveiled its new company, Risant Health, and first member health system, Danville, Pa.-based Geisinger in late April. CommonSpirit taking 'decisive steps' to boost revenue, cut costs, CFO says Chicago-based CommonSpirit posted $1.1 billion in operating losses for the nine months ending March 31. The 143-hospital system said it is taking measures to help turn the losses around. CommonSpirit taking 'decisive steps' to boost revenue, cut costs, CFO says McLaren St. Luke's in Maumee, Ohio, will close May 8, one week earlier than initially planned, CBS affiliate WTOL11 reported. CEO/STRATEGY 11 highest paid CEOs in healthcare Pharmaceutical and health insurance CEOs were among the highest-paid executives of the largest U.S. companies in 2022, according to Equilar. St. Luke Hospital CEO resigns The CEO of St. Luke Hospital and Living Center in Marion, Kan., resigned during a May 2 board meeting, a hospital official confirmed to Becker's. Georgia hospital lays off CEO, 3 other top-paid execs Four of Habersham Medical Center's top executives have been laid off as part of cost-cutting measures before it joins Gainesville-based Northeast Georgia Health System on July 1, nowhaberbasham.com reported April 27. THOUGHT LEADERSHIP 'An opportunity to enhance our model': Geisinger CEO Dr. Jaewon Ryu on Risant Health As Danville, Pa.-based Geisinger Health awaits the closure of a deal that will make it the first health system to join Kaiser Permanente's new nonprofit organization, Risant Health, President and CEO Jaewon Ryu, MD, said the system must remain focused on driving its strategy forward with "the same rigor to address the challenging headwinds our industry and our communities continue to face." Should hospital executives be concerned about a banking crisis? 4 CFOs weigh in The recent fire-sale of First Republic Bank to JPMorgan Chase, the second largest bank failure in American history, is raising recession fears and forcing healthcare leaders to evaluate their exposure to macroeconomic risks. INNOVATION 4 hospitals, health systems testing out ChatGPT Generative AI such as ChatGPT, the artificial intelligence-based chatbot developed by OpenAI, is being touted as a tool that can revolutionize healthcare, and although it is pretty new, hospitals and health systems are working on piloting this technology to see if it can be applied to the clinical setting. ChatGPT outperforms physicians when answering patient questions ChatGPT may be better at providing more empathetic answers to patient questions, according to an April 28 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine. Why healthcare data privacy is an 'illusion,' according to Yale professor Because so much patient information is digital nowadays, healthcare data privacy is just an "illusion" in the U.S., a Yale School of Medicine professor wrote June 1 in BMJ. CMO CARE DELIVERY CDC head departs Rochelle Walensky, MD, is exiting her role as director of the CDC at the end of June. Mass Gen opens 'discharge lounge' to address capacity challenges Massachusetts General Hospital has opened a "discharge lounge" — a new way the Boston-based hospital is alleviating capacity challenges. 43% of physicians regret their career choice: AMA Researchers discovered only 57.5 percent of physicians said they would choose to become a physician again, compared to 72.2 percent of physicians in 2020. WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP Novartis taps new board members ahead of Sandoz spinoff Drugmaker Novartis announced 10 members to its newly formed Sandoz board of directors May 15 ahead of its previously announced biosimilar spinoff. The Sandoz spinoff is an effort the company is making to keep a competitive pace with rising costs of brand name drugs.

May/June 2023 Issue of Becker's Clinical Leadership & Infection Control   ON THE COVER 'Focus on creating great experiences': How healthcare marketing is evolvingIn rural areas, where hospitals are shuttering or are no longer offering care such as labor and delivery, patients have no choice but to travel for healthcare. However, in and around big cities, the situation is the opposite: competition between hospitals to attract patients is fierce. Top 10 patient safety concerns for 2023The pediatric mental health crisis is the most pressing patient safety concern in 2023, the Emergency Care Research Institute said March 13.  85% of nurses plan to leave hospital roles 1 year from now: SurveyA nursing workforce that has been shrinking dramatically may be headed toward even greater challenges. Only 15 percent of nurses working in hospital settings say they plan to stay in their current positions one year from now, according to a survey of more than 18,000 nurses conducted by AMN Healthcare, one of the largest healthcare staffing company in the country. Fast-tracked nursing program shows early success in Maryland: 12 numbersA nursing education program invented at Baltimore-based University of Maryland Medical System is showing promising signs, its creators told The Baltimore Banner.  The hidden penalty of remote workMany U.S. workers have wholeheartedly embraced the flexibility and freedom of working from home, but new research suggests there may be a hidden downside to remote work, The New York Times reported April 24. How Duke's health system supports a workforce that is 60% millennial or Gen ZTo retain workers, hospitals and health systems must ensure they meet employee needs and expectations across generations. This is particularly true as more older healthcare workers have retired or plan to retire, and as younger generations such as millennials and Generation Z make up large portions of their workforces. 'Being a nurse positioned me for this': MetroHealth's CEO on rising into leadershipAirica Steed, EdD, RN, appears to be a woman made to be a healthcare CEO; her story is like something out of a comic book. 'It doesn't have to be us or them': 1 chief nursing officer's take on the future of hospitalsAthena Minor, MSN, RN, chief nursing and clinical officer at Hartford, Ky.-based Ohio County Healthcare, found hope in some of the changes necessitated by COVID-19. The new 'Operation Warp Speed' The Biden administration aims to accelerate the development of new coronavirus vaccines and treatments through a more than $5 billion program dubbed "Project Next Gen," The Washington Post reported April 10. FDA commissioner: Medical misinformation is hurting US life expectancy Medical misinformation is a contributing factor to lowered life expectancies in the U.S., FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, told CNBC. The rise of 'elective injuries'The rise of platforms such as TikTok and Instagram has created a new enemy for hospital emergency departments: viral social media challenges. Meritus Health CEO: Make health inequity a 'never event'It's time for healthcare organizations to label health inequities as "never events" and abandon the idea that eliminating them is a "journey" or "marathon," Maulik Joshi, DrPH, president and CEO of Hagerstown, Md.-based Meritus Health, wrote in a March 25 opinion piece published in Medpage Today. INFECTION CONTROL FDA commissioner: Medical misinformation is hurting US life expectancy Medical misinformation is a contributing factor to lowered life expectancies in the U.S., FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, told CNBC. WHO rolls out initiative to improve pandemic preparedness — for next timeThe likelihood of another pandemic similar to COVID-19 or worse is around 28 percent, Bloomberg reported April 13. As such, the question for many has become "Are we ready?" In response, the World Health Organization has launched a new initiative aimed at making the answer a "Yes," — or at least "Here's how to be" — for countries around the world.  The new 'Operation Warp Speed' The Biden administration aims to accelerate the development of new coronavirus vaccines and treatments through a more than $5 billion program dubbed "Project Next Gen," The Washington Post reported April 10. COVID-19 in the short and long term: 3 thoughts from Dr. Peter HotezAhead of the May 11 end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, Peter Hotez, MD, PhD, the dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Houston-based Baylor College of Medicine, told the Houston Chronicle April 27 that emerging variants, vaccine uptake and pandemic preparedness are top of mind for him. How this Texas system prevented HAIs from rising amid pandemicThe Veterans Affairs North Texas Health Care System in Dallas prevented healthcare-associated infection rates from rising during the pandemic — and reduced burnout among infection prevention and control team members — through a 14-month initiative, according to a study published April 26 in the American Journal of Infection Control. PATIENT SAFETY & OUTCOMES What's changed 1 year after RaDonda Vaught's conviction?In the year since RaDonda Vaught was convicted for a fatal medical error, much has been said from leaders at all levels of healthcare about the need to build a strong culture of safety and empower front-line workers to report errors. American College of Physicians: Time to elevate gun safety conversations with patientsAmid rapidly increasing gun violence across the U.S., the American College of Physicians issued a statement saying it is time for physicians to prioritize having conversations about gun violence and safety with patients. The rise of 'elective injuries'The rise of platforms such as TikTok and Instagram has created a new enemy for hospital emergency departments: viral social media challenges. Meritus Health CEO: Make health inequity a 'never event'It's time for healthcare organizations to label health inequities as "never events" and abandon the idea that eliminating them is a "journey" or "marathon," Maulik Joshi, DrPH, president and CEO of Hagerstown, Md.-based Meritus Health, wrote in a March 25 opinion piece published in Medpage Today. Cape Cod hospital to begin TeamBirth initiativeThe birthing center at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, Mass., has become one of nine hospitals in the state to participate in a new, national labor and delivery care model, capecod.com reported April 27. PATIENT & CAREGIVER EXPERIENCE 'Focus on creating great experiences': How healthcare marketing is evolvingIn rural areas, where hospitals are shuttering or are no longer offering care such as labor and delivery, patients have no choice but to travel for healthcare. However, in and around big cities, the situation is the opposite: competition between hospitals to attract patients is fierce. The hidden penalty of remote workMany U.S. workers have wholeheartedly embraced the flexibility and freedom of working from home, but new research suggests there may be a hidden downside to remote work, The New York Times reported April 24. How AI is helping patients reclaim their voiceArtificial intelligence is paving the way for patients with conditions that hinder their ability to speak to reclaim their voices, The Washington Post reported April 20. Why Kaiser is focusing on 'real-time' patient feedback, not just survey statisticsIf healthcare C-suite leaders review patient survey metrics and there are no clinicians around to hear the details, did it really happen?  New law bars Alabama hospitals from restricting visitorsAlabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed legislation into law April 18 that prohibits healthcare facilities in the state from restricting in-person visitation to patients. QUALITY IMPROVEMENT & MEASUREMENT How Keck Medicine is doubling down on care qualityBuilding a strong foundation for safe and equitable care is no easy task, especially amid pandemic-related disruptions and workforce shortages. But Keck Medicine of USC is clearly doing something right — Keck Hospital of USC is a seven-time Leapfrog "A" safety grade awardee, and USC Norris Cancer Hospital was recently named one of Leapfrog's top teaching hospitals for the second consecutive year.  Michigan Medicine formalizes policy to report patient abuse, neglectMichigan Medicine has issued a new policy regarding employees' responsibility to report alleged acts of patient abuse or neglect by colleagues, the Ann Arbor-based system said April 26. Joint Commission study explores wrong-site surgery risk factors, trendsOrthopedic services are the most frequently cited in wrong-site surgery claims, according to an analysis of closed claims data published in the May edition of The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety. 5 ways Massachusetts hopes to reduce medical errors statewideMedical errors kill up to 9,000 patients per year.  The death of Betsy Lehman, a cancer patient — and former columnist for The Boston Globe — as a result of a medical error in Boston nearly 30 years ago, has now prompted Massachusetts to embark on revamped efforts to address medical errors in health facilities.  Adverse events rose 19% in 2022, Joint Commission findsNew data from The Joint Commission found that of all reported sentinel events in 2022, 44 percent resulted in severe temporary harm and 20 percent resulted in a patient death. NURSING SPOTLIGHT 85% of nurses plan to leave hospital roles 1 year from now: SurveyA nursing workforce that has been shrinking dramatically may be headed toward even greater challenges. Only 15 percent of nurses working in hospital settings say they plan to stay in their current positions one year from now, according to a survey of more than 18,000 nurses conducted by AMN Healthcare, one of the largest healthcare staffing company in the country. Nurses stream back to hospitals amid temp job slumpNursing shortages are easing for some hospitals after falling pay from temp agencies and new hospital perks drive more nurses back into permanent positions, The Wall Street Journal reported May 1. 'Being a nurse positioned me for this': MetroHealth's CEO on rising into leadershipAirica Steed, EdD, RN, appears to be a woman made to be a healthcare CEO; her story is like something out of a comic book. World's 1st certified burn nurse credential ready to roll outBeta testing of the world's first burn nursing specialty certification will take place from July 10 through August 6. Eligible nurses can apply, beginning May 10, to be one of the first to take the test and earn a certified burn registered nurse credential — CBRN. The testing will be fully rolled out this fall to the entire nursing community.  Fast-tracked nursing program shows early success in Maryland: 12 numbersA nursing education program invented at Baltimore-based University of Maryland Medical System is showing promising signs, its creators told The Baltimore Banner. 

March/April 2023 Issue of Becker's Clinical Leadership & Infection Control ON THE COVER 3 reasons why physicians aren't specializing in infectious diseases The U.S. is facing a dire shortage of infectious disease specialists and some experts point to a complex web of issues that currently face the specialty as drivers of the shortage, Fox News reported Jan. 25. US spends most on healthcare but has worse outcomes: 6 report findings The U.S. spends two to four times as much on healthcare as most other high-income countries, but the health outcomes lag behind, a new Commonwealth Fund study found. 5 patient experience tips from Cleveland Clinic's former CXO Adrienne Boissy, MD, a practicing neurologist and Cleveland Clinic's former chief experience officer, has been in healthcare for 20 years, but as is the case with so many professionals in the field, COVID-19 reshaped how she viewed the patient experience and her role as a provider.  Paxlovid rebound rate is 14%, study finds The risk of a Paxlovid rebound may be higher than previously reported, according to a study published Feb. 22 in Clinical Infectious Diseases, an Oxford University Press journal. 5th person cured of HIV, researchers say Another person has been cured of HIV, according to findings published Feb. 20 in Nature.  The key to reinvigorating infection control? Getting back to basics, says Mount Sinai's Dr. Aaron Glatt After three long pandemic years, the time is now for hospital clinicians to refocus efforts on infection control and prevention, said Aaron E. Glatt, MD, chair of medicine, chief of infectious disease and epidemiologist at Mount Sinai South Nassau in Oceanside, N.Y. Nurse practitioners often an untapped solution to workforce shortages, AANP president says Hospital beds are nearly full and waiting times in emergency departments across the U.S. are often untenable. However, April Kapu, DNP, president of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, recently told Becker's that nurse practitioners can provide solutions for hospitals facing clinician shortages. How 4 chief medical officers are navigating challenges while prioritizing care Navigating nationwide staffing shortages while maintaining quality of care are just two of the many mounting challenges chief medical officers face, and seek to overcome, right now. Texas hospital completes 11- hour 'historic' surgery to separate conjoined twins A team of 25 medical professionals at Fort Worth, Texas-based Cook Children's Medical Center performed the hospital's first separation procedure for conjoined twin sisters on Jan. 23. The 11-hour surgery required months of planning and several simulation surgeries, the hospital said in a news release. How Henry Ford rehired 25% of nurses who left during the pandemic Job flexibility is at the center of hospitals' and health systems' strategies to welcome back nurses who left during earlier stages of the COVID-19 pandemic — and some are seeing significant progress.  Taking a strategic approach to virtual nursing: The top 3 do's and don'ts The persistent nursing shortage has pushed many hospitals and health systems toward innovative nursing models as a means to maximize staff, improve patient satisfaction and reduce costs. How Novant's Heather King went from CNA to hospital president Heather King, BSN, RN, president and chief operating officer of Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center in Bolivia, N.C., climbed from certified nursing assistant to hospital executive in 17 years because, as her mentor put it, she "never said no to anything." INFECTION CONTROL When it comes to masking in hospitals, '1 size doesn't fit all,' says Northwell Health's chief of infectious diseases New York state dropped its masking requirement regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status in hospitals on Feb. 12, giving healthcare organizations the ability to set their own masking guidelines going forward. Smallpox vaccine may offer protection against mpox, study finds Smallpox vaccinations may present a degree of protection from mpox infection, research from several Spain physicians has found. The key to reinvigorating infection control? Getting back to basics, says Mount Sinai's Dr. Aaron Glatt After three long pandemic years, the time is now for hospital clinicians to refocus efforts on infection control and prevention, said Aaron E. Glatt, MD, chair of medicine, chief of infectious disease and epidemiologist at Mount Sinai South Nassau in Oceanside, N.Y. 3 reasons why physicians aren't specializing in infectious diseases The U.S. is facing a dire shortage of infectious disease specialists and some experts point to a complex web of issues that currently face the specialty as drivers of the shortage, Fox News reported Jan. 25. 11-year-old boy dies from flesh-eating bacteria after ankle injury, invasive Strep A An 11-year-old Florida boy died of flesh-eating bacteria after spraining his ankle, NBC affiliate WESH reported Feb. 18. PATIENT SAFETY & OUTCOMES 45% of patients infected with H. pylori do not receive proper treatment, 1st of its kind study finds A new study published in Nature found major gaps in the treatments of patients infected with Helicobacter pylori, bacteria that can lead to stomach ulcers and is persistently found to be a risk factor for gastric cancer — the fourth-deadliest cancer worldwide.  US spends most on healthcare but has worse outcomes: 6 report findings The U.S. spends two to four times as much on healthcare as most other high-income countries, but the health outcomes lag behind, a new Commonwealth Fund study found. Penn Medicine hospital cited over wrong-site surgery Pennsylvania health officials have cited Lancaster (Pa.) General Hospital for several safety issues in recent months, including a wrong-site surgery, Penn Live reported Feb. 23. Paxlovid rebound rate is 14%, study finds The risk of a Paxlovid rebound may be higher than previously reported, according to a study published Feb. 22 in Clinical Infectious Diseases, an Oxford University Press journal. New York hospital fires nurse who roughly handled newborn Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip, N.Y., has fired a nurse who appears to have roughly handled a newborn baby on a video filmed by the child's father, according to a report from News12 New Jersey.  PATIENT & CAREGIVER EXPERIENCE How 4 chief medical officers are navigating challenges while prioritizing care Navigating nationwide staffing shortages while maintaining quality of care are just two of the many mounting challenges chief medical officers face, and seek to overcome, right now. Precise size of US labor shortage in question Economists agree that workers are missing from the labor force — but they can't agree on exactly how many, or exactly where they've gone, Bloomberg reported Feb. 24 The latest talked-about workplace trend: 'Bare minimum Mondays' The term "quiet quitting" — referring to a phenomenon in which employees reduce their enthusiasm at work and stick to the minimum expectations of their role — gained traction on social media and in the news in recent months. Now, there is a new workplace trend becoming popular: "bare minimum Mondays," Fortune reported Feb. 13.  60% of Americans uncomfortable with AI in medical care: 4 findings A majority of Americans are still uneasy about artificial intelligence being used in their own medical care, a Feb. 22 report from Pew Research Center found. Some Gen Zers hope they get laid off: Here's why Younger generations aren't lamenting layoffs, Bloomberg reported Feb. 8. QUALITY IMPROVEMENT & MEASUREMENT Some hospital staff confuse emergency codes, study finds Many hospital employees are unable to identify the meaning of emergency codes, which could hinder an urgent response to incidents, according to a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Omicron is 1.5 times more deadly than flu inside hospitals, study finds SARS-CoV-2 omicron infections are more likely to result in death than the flu inside hospitals, a study in Switzerland found. HCA Healthcare surgical recovery program sees decrease in length of stay, readmission rates A surgical recovery program implemented by Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare has so far shown a reduction in length of hospital stays by two days and a 44 percent decrease in opioid usage. CMS hospital readmission reduction program ineffective for COPD, study suggests Researchers found CMS' Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program slowed adoption of quality inpatient care for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Florida researchers win 'COVID-killing' nano-coating patent Researchers at the University of Central Florida secured a patent for a "nanomaterial-based disinfectant that can kill several viruses," including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, the Orlando-based school said Feb. 20.  NURSING SPOTLIGHT Meet the nurse hospitals won't hire Katie Duke, a nurse practitioner who is the host of a podcast called "Bad Decisions," an Instagram influencer, brand ambassador for Figs scrubs and a stand-up comedian, is not getting hired by hospitals, The Washington Post reported Feb. 21.  How Novant's Heather King went from CNA to hospital president Heather King, BSN, RN, president and chief operating officer of Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center in Bolivia, N.C., climbed from certified nursing assistant to hospital executive in 17 years because, as her mentor put it, she "never said no to anything." Nurse practitioners often an untapped solution to workforce shortages, AANP president says Hospital beds are nearly full and waiting times in emergency departments across the U.S. are often untenable. However, April Kapu, DNP, president of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, recently told Becker's that nurse practitioners can provide solutions for hospitals facing clinician shortages.  Taking a strategic approach to virtual nursing: The top 3 do's and don'ts The persistent nursing shortage has pushed many hospitals and health systems toward innovative nursing models as a means to maximize staff, improve patient satisfaction and reduce costs. How to get nurses to stay? Less talk, more action, says AACN president The widespread shortage of nurses is the result of a foundational crack in hospital systems across the country, Amanda Bettencourt, PhD, APRN, president of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, told Becker's.

June 2023 Issue of Becker's Hospital Review ON THE COVER Jane McCurley, DNP, RN, Chief Nurse Executive, Methodist Healthcare System The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses' Clinical Scene Investigator Academy has provided more than a 600 percent return on investment; the 97 participating hospitals realized a fiscal savings of $84.2 million, Marian Altman, PhD, RN, clinical practice specialist and supervisor of the AACN's CSI Academy, told Becker's Michael Leone, CFO, Liberty Hospital A healthy CEO and CFO relationship is crucial to maintaining the stability of a health system's finances and leadership. Jennifer Van Matre, CFO, Mountain Communities Healthcare District A healthy CEO and CFO relationship is crucial to maintaining the stability of a health system's finances and leadership. Michele Morrison, RN, President and Chief Hospital Executive, Southern Ocean Medical Center When leaders at Hackensack Meridian Health's Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin, N.J., realized that mounting lists of patients in the emergency department waiting room were also stressing out ED clinicians, the hospital went from a "pull to full" model to "pull to infinity." Sara Vaezy, Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Officer, Providence Sara Vaezy, executive vice president and chief digital officer of Renton, Wash.-based Providence, told Becker's that health systems can learn from giants such as Starbucks and Amazon about personalizing patients' experiences with their healthcare organizations, and one way Providence is doing this is by creating identity-driven engagement to tailor its services to individual consumers. What are the best CEO qualities? 4 hospital CFOs weigh in A healthy CEO and CFO relationship is crucial to maintaining the stability of a health system's finances and leadership. 'The opportunities are limitless': How OR 'black boxes' are changing the way hospitals operate Operating room "black boxes" are growing in popularity as a way to improve patient safety and operational efficiency — and it likely will not be long before they spread to other departments. Healthcare employment rebounds to pre-pandemic levels Contrary to widespread reports of staffing shortages, healthcare employment reached pre-pandemic levels with the addition of 44,200 jobs in February, according to a recent report from Altarum.  A 7-minute ED wait time: How 1 hospital got there       When leaders at Hackensack Meridian Health's Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin, N.J., realized that mounting lists of patients in the emergency department waiting room were also stressing out ED clinicians, the hospital went from a "pull to full" model to "pull to infinity." How nurse 'change agents' saved hospitals $84M The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses' Clinical Scene Investigator Academy has provided more than a 600 percent return on investment; the 97 participating hospitals realized a fiscal savings of $84.2 million, Marian Altman, PhD, RN, clinical practice specialist and supervisor of the AACN's CSI Academy, told Becker's. Razor-thin hospital margins become the new normal Hospital finances are starting to stabilize as razor-thin margins become the new normal, according to Kaufman Hall's latest "National Flash Hospital Report," which is based on data from more than 900 hospitals. Executive pay at Tenet, HCA and CHS: 5 things to know Executive pay cuts marked 2022 at three of the nation's largest for-profit health systems. The cost of nurse turnover in 24 numbers Nurse recruitment and retention is top of mind for every hospital and health system executive given that the shortage of registered nurses is only expected to intensify.   Shouldn't doctors be a little bit freaked out about ChatGPT?': The AI's answer ChatGPT may be after some jobs, but it intends to leave patient-facing ones to the pros — at least for now.  Why the CIO title is disappearing The CIO title is declining as tech leaders take on new functions and people see the moniker as limiting for their careers, Forbes reported. At Virtua Health, female leadership is a strategic imperative Women may only hold 25 percent of senior leadership roles in healthcare, but Marlton, N.J.-based Virtua Health is actively bucking that trend.  Who gets to go by 'Dr.'? 3 medical associations answer Guidelines for education and clinical hours as well as testing on the pathway to licensure are clearly defined for physicians, nurse practitioners and physician associates. CFO / FINANCE Razor-thin hospital margins become the new normal Hospital finances are starting to stabilize as razor-thin margins become the new normal, according to Kaufman Hall's latest "National Flash Hospital Report," which is based on data from more than 900 hospitals. Healthcare employment rebounds to pre-pandemic levels Contrary to widespread reports of staffing shortages, healthcare employment reached pre-pandemic levels with the addition of 44,200 jobs in February, according to a recent report from Altarum. Kaiser breaks ground on $298M expansion Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente on March 24 broke ground on an inpatient tower with 138 beds at Roseville (Calif.) Medical Center, which serves about 360,000 healthcare members in the area. according to The Sacramento Bee. Executive pay at Tenet, HCA and CHS: 5 things to know Executive pay cuts marked 2022 at three of the nation's largest for-profit health systems.  Fight unfolds over measure to cap pay of LA hospital executives A Los Angeles ballot measure backed by SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West would cap pay for hospital executives at the compensation of the U.S. president, or $450,000 per year. The California Hospital Association is challenging the measure, arguing that the president earns more. CEO/STRATEGY The problem of stuffy hospital CEOs Rather than pay, tenure or organization size, one determinant of hospital and health system leaders deserves outsized importance: their humanity. Texas health system CEO stepping down Mike Geeslin, president and CEO of Austin, Texas-based Central Health, plans to depart Travis County's healthcare district by year's end. CVS Health exec returns to UnitedHealth Group Amar Desai, MD, has left his role as president of health care delivery at CVS Health after less than six months to return to UnitedHealth Group, where he will advise the CEO, Bloomberg reports.  Dr. Desai joined CVS Health in October 2022 in the leadership role to head up the newly formed healthcare delivery organization and lead its clinical delivery strategy to support retail health, chronic disease management and behavioral health. He reported directly to CVS Health President and CEO Karen Lynch.  Ascension St. Vincent CEO to exit Jonathan Nalli, who serves as CEO and ministry market executive of Indianapolis-based Ascension St. Vincent and senior vice president with St. Louis-based Ascension, will be leaving his role. Man pleads guilty for death threats to hospital CEO A former employee of Adena Health System in Chillicothe, Ohio, pleaded guilty to telecommunications harassment in a case centered on comments made online calling for the murder of the system's CEO and wife. THOUGHT LEADERSHIP How nurse 'change agents' saved hospitals $84M The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses' Clinical Scene Investigator Academy has provided more than a 600 percent return on investment; the 97 participating hospitals realized a fiscal savings of $84.2 million, Marian Altman, PhD, RN, clinical practice specialist and supervisor of the AACN's CSI Academy, told Becker's. What are the best CEO qualities? 4 hospital CFOs weigh in A healthy CEO and CFO relationship is crucial to maintaining the stability of a health system's finances and leadership. The case for advanced nursing degrees: As told by nurses themselves More nurses are needed at the bedside than ever before, yet the profession continues to suffer from shortages and turnover rates as high as 37 percent in some regions. And although pursuing advanced nursing degrees may sometimes lead practice away from bedside roles and into others, Master of Science in nursing degrees are still worthy of pursuit, experts say.  A 7-minute ED wait time: How 1 hospital got there When leaders at Hackensack Meridian Health's Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin, N.J., realized that mounting lists of patients in the emergency department waiting room were also stressing out ED clinicians, the hospital went from a "pull to full" model to "pull to infinity."  INNOVATION 'The opportunities are limitless': How OR 'black boxes' are changing the way hospitals operate Operating room "black boxes" are growing in popularity as a way to improve patient safety and operational efficiency — and it likely will not be long before they spread to other departments. 58 hospitals, health systems among Fortune's 'Most Innovative Companies' On March 29, Fortune released its 2023 list of America's Most Innovative Companies 2023, and it includes a number of hospitals and health systems. Mark Cuban hasn't 'f—ed up' the pharma industry yet Mark Cuban launched his online drug business, Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Co., in January 2022 with the plan to "f— up" the industry. He hasn't done that yet, he told Becker's in early April.  CMO CARE DELIVERY The cost of nurse turnover in 24 numbers Nurse recruitment and retention is top of mind for every hospital and health system executive given that the shortage of registered nurses is only expected to intensify.   Ballad Health CEO defends uneven nurse pay Ballad Health's CEO said he believes nurses at the system's tertiary hospital deserve the higher pay they receive, the Elizabethton Starr reported April 18.  CommonSpirit Health rolls out new virtual nursing technology Chicago-based CommonSpirit Health has launched the first virtual nursing program in its system, at Saint Joseph Hospital in Lexington, Ky. Who gets to go by 'Dr.'? 3 medical associations answer Guidelines for education and clinical hours as well as testing on the pathway to licensure are clearly defined for physicians, nurse practitioners and physician associates.  CIO/HEALTH IT 'Shouldn't doctors be a little bit freaked out about ChatGPT?': The AI's answer ChatGPT may be after some jobs, but it intends to leave patient-facing ones to the pros — at least for now.  Why the CIO title is disappearing The CIO title is declining as tech leaders take on new functions and people see the moniker as limiting for their careers, Forbes reported. Northwell picks Epic in EHR switch New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health is moving from Allscripts to Epic Systems. The effect of Oracle Cerner layoffs EHR vendor Oracle Cerner has conducted its second lay off as part of Oracle's new "restructuring plan" that aims to save the company $927 million by the end of fiscal 2023. A return to 'realism': What types of CIOs companies are hiring Companies are increasingly looking for CIOs with a focus on the basics as IT budgets have tightened, The Wall Street Journal reported April 24. WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP What health systems can learn from Starbucks on patient engagement: Q&A with Providence's Sara Vaezy Sara Vaezy, executive vice president and chief digital officer of Renton, Wash.-based Providence, told Becker's that health systems can learn from giants such as Starbucks and Amazon about personalizing patients' experiences with their healthcare organizations, and one way Providence is doing this is by creating identity-driven engagement to tailor its services to individual consumers. The gender pay gap persists — but in some states, it's narrowing Vermont is the top state for closing the gender pay gap over five years, and Wyoming is where the wage gap widened the most during that period, according to an analysis by moneyzine.com. At Virtua Health, female leadership is a strategic imperative Women may only hold 25 percent of senior leadership roles in healthcare, but Marlton, N.J.-based Virtua Health is actively bucking that trend.  Washington State Hospital Association to offer online women’s leadership program Less than 20 percent of C-suite leadership roles in healthcare are held by women, though women make 80 percent of healthcare decisions in the U.S., according to the Seattle-based Washington State Hospital Association. The rise of parental leave In the evolving American workforce, flexibility is king, and parental leave is expanding across the country — to workplaces' dismay, The Wall Street Journal reported April 8. 

May 2023 Issue of Becker's Hospital Review ON THE COVER David Levine, MD. Chief Medical Officer at Fisher-Titus Health When David Levine, MD, took over full time in January as chief medical officer of Fisher-Titus Health in Norwalk, Ohio, he decided it was time to "stop doing things the way they've always been done. Robert Garrett. CEO at Hackensack Meridian Health A decade ago, at a backyard cookout, we kicked around the bold idea of starting a medical school, one that would change the way future physicians practice medicine. We realized that you can’t make all improvements necessary to remodel a flawed American healthcare system at the point of care. You have to instill a new way of learning with a far more expansive view of health and healthcare and teach future physicians to become lifelong learners. Clay Holderman. CEO of UnityPoint Health Clay Holderman, CEO of UnityPoint Health, and Dale Maxwell, CEO of Presbyterian Healthcare Services, had been talking for a while about seeking partnerships with other health systems when it finally dawned on them they should be talking to each other about a possible merger between their two organizations. Nancy Howell Agee, MSN, BSN. CEO at Carilion Clinic CEOs of hospitals and health systems with a background in bedside nursing appear to be few and far between, making the advice from nurses at the helm of hospitals even more valuable to aspiring nurse CEOs. Elizabeth Bolt. COO and Senior Vice President at UW Health In honor of Women's History Month in March and International Women's Day on March 8, Becker's Hospital Review asked women in the healthcare industry to share their insights on leadership. Missy Miller. Chief Marketing Officer at Waystar In honor of Women's History Month in March and International Women's Day on March 8, Becker's Hospital Review asked women in the healthcare industry to share their insights on leadership. Health system CEOs' leadership styles are evolving After the last few years of guiding organizations through the pandemic and facing extreme financial and operational challenges this year, health system CEOs are turning to a tried-and-true leadership tactic to balance growth and innovation with the realities of shrinking margins, workforce shortages and increased competition: authentic leadership. What will health systems prioritize once Gen Z is running them? Generation Z is inheriting a troubled healthcare system: staffing shortages, caregiver burnout, pandemic aftershocks, financial woes. But these industry challenges are not scaring young people away from healthcare — they're motivating them to run toward it.  A physician leader saw 'chaos' with 'recycled' administrators, so he's charting a new course When David Levine, MD, took over full time in January as chief medical officer of Fisher-Titus Health in Norwalk, Ohio, he decided it was time to "stop doing things the way they've always been done." Presbyterian Healthcare and UnityPoint unite: How an $11B merger unfolded Clay Holderman, CEO of UnityPoint Health, and Dale Maxwell, CEO of Presbyterian Healthcare Services, had been talking for a while about seeking partnerships with other health systems when it finally dawned on them they should be talking to each other about a possible merger between their two organizations. 3 nurse CEOs on combating assumptions, getting ahead of skill gaps CEOs of hospitals and health systems with a background in bedside nursing appear to be few and far between, making the advice from nurses at the helm of hospitals even more valuable to aspiring nurse CEOs Biden's $6.8T budget: 15 healthcare takeaways President Joe Biden proposed a $6.8 trillion budget March 9, and it includes several healthcare initiatives, including plans to extend Medicare's solvency by 25 years and making COVID-era ACA subsidies permanent. 14 health systems with strong finances Here are 14 health systems with strong operational metrics and solid financial positions, according to reports from credit rating agencies Fitch Ratings, Moody's Investors Service and S&P Global. 1st hospitals line up for new rural hospital designation The first hospitals seeking CMS' new rural emergency hospital designation have submitted their applications, Kaiser Health News reported March 6. Top 7 billionaires in US healthcare An HCA Healthcare co-founder and shareholder tops the list of billionaires in U.S. healthcare. HCA's 5 highest-earning executives In 2022, one of HCA Healthcare's highest-earning executives was also its newest.  20 hospitals with smallest CEO-to-worker pay ratios CEO pay at large has been a target of criticism by workers in recent months, including physicians and travel nurses, and the issue has surfaced as healthcare professionals negotiate their own pay.  23 thoughts on leadership from women in healthcare In honor of Women's History Month in March and International Women's Day on March 8, Becker's Hospital Review asked women in the healthcare industry to share their insights on leadership. CFO / FINANCE Biden's $6.8T budget: 15 healthcare takeaways President Joe Biden proposed a $6.8 trillion budget March 9, and it includes several healthcare initiatives, including plans to extend Medicare's solvency by 25 years and making COVID-era ACA subsidies permanent. U of Minnesota seeks $950M to acquire 'flagship' hospitals before merger The University of Minnesota plans to ask state lawmakers for $950 million to acquire and pay for initial operating costs of its on-campus hospitals in Minneapolis. Virginia health system eliminates COO positionsSovah Health, part of Brentwood, Tenn.-based Lifepoint Health, has gotten rid of the COOs at its Danville and Martinsville, Va., campuses and eliminated both positions, the Danville Register & Bee reported March 13.California hospital CFO resigns after 5 days Mariposa, Calif.-based John C. Fremont Hospital is again looking for a CFO after Mark Foote resigned after five days on the job, the Mariposa Gazette reported Feb. 23.  14 health systems with strong finances Here are 14 health systems with strong operational metrics and solid financial positions, according to reports from credit rating agencies Fitch Ratings, Moody's Investors Service and S&P Global. CEO/STRATEGY Penn Medicine eliminates administrative jobs in cost-cutting move Philadelphia-based Penn Medicine is eliminating administrative positions as part of a reorganization plan to save the health system $40 million annually, the Philadelphia Business Journal reported March 13.  HCA's 5 highest-earning executives In 2022, one of HCA Healthcare's highest-earning executives was also its newest.  Former MetroHealth CEO hid unauthorized bonuses, audit says A third-party audit commissioned by Cleveland-based MetroHealth found its former CEO concealed bonuses from the board. Dr. Boutros immediately disputed the findings through his attorney. Who spent $1M to disparage a hospital? A campaign pointing out negative statistics and experiences at New York City-based Maimonides Medical Center, with a video even likening it to being in prison, has cost more than $1 million, The New York Times reported. But it's unknown who's funding it. 20 hospitals with smallest CEO-to-worker pay ratios CEO pay at large has been a target of criticism by workers in recent months, including physicians and travel nurses, and the issue has surfaced as healthcare professionals negotiate their own pay.  THOUGHT LEADERSHIP What will health systems prioritize once Gen Z is running them? Generation Z is inheriting a troubled healthcare system: staffing shortages, caregiver burnout, pandemic aftershocks, financial woes. But these industry challenges are not scaring young people away from healthcare — they're motivating them to run toward it. Lessons we learned in creating the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine A decade ago, at a backyard cookout, we kicked around the bold idea of starting a medical school, one that would change the way future physicians practice medicine. We realized that you can’t make all improvements necessary to remodel a flawed American healthcare system at the point of care. You have to instill a new way of learning with a far more expansive view of health and healthcare and teach future physicians to become lifelong learners. A physician leader saw 'chaos' with 'recycled' administrators, so he's charting a new course When David Levine, MD, took over full time in January as chief medical officer of Fisher-Titus Health in Norwalk, Ohio, he decided it was time to "stop doing things the way they've always been done." Presbyterian Healthcare and UnityPoint unite: How an $11B merger unfolded Clay Holderman, CEO of UnityPoint Health, and Dale Maxwell, CEO of Presbyterian Healthcare Services, had been talking for a while about seeking partnerships with other health systems when it finally dawned on them they should be talking to each other about a possible merger between their two organizations. 3 nurse CEOs on combating assumptions, getting ahead of skill gaps CEOs of hospitals and health systems with a background in bedside nursing appear to be few and far between, making the advice from nurses at the helm of hospitals even more valuable to aspiring nurse CEOs INNOVATION Cuban breaks into brandname drug market Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Co. has entered into an agreement with IBSA Pharma to sell Tirosint, a medication for hypothyroidism. It will be the first brand-name drug offered by Mr. Cuban's pharmacy. Best Buy's $400M remote patient monitoring company partners with Geisinger, Mount Sinai, NYU Langone Health Best Buy has partnered with five of the 10 largest U.S. health systems on remote patient monitoring, according to a March 2 earnings call. Walmart Health to add 28 new clinics by 2024 Walmart Health will open 28 new Walmart Health centers by the first quarter of 2024. Mayo Clinic set to build 120-acre innovation hub in Arizona Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic plans to start building a 120-acre innovation hub soon at its Arizona campus, the Phoenix Business Journal reported. Health system CEOs' leadership styles are evolving After the last few years of guiding organizations through the pandemic and facing extreme financial and operational challenges this year, health system CEOs are turning to a tried-and-true leadership tactic to balance growth and innovation with the realities of shrinking margins, workforce shortages and increased competition: authentic leadership. CMO CARE DELIVERY When hospitals stick nurses with $15K in training costs Some hospitals are sticking recent nurse graduates with the cost of training programs if they leave or are fired before their contract is up — a practice that has become increasingly common, according to a March 12 report from NBC News. The unexpected benefit Erlanger saw after raising nurse pay Chattanooga, Tenn.-based Erlanger Health System has seen fewer nurses call in sick since the approval of a 10 percent pay raise in January, theChattanooga Times Free Press reported Feb. 26.  The linguistic controversies of clinical titles The temperature of conversations surrounding clinical titles has been rising for years. Now, heated discussions about how advanced practice providers refer to and market themselves are commonplace and coincide with conflicting views about their roles in the healthcare industry.  16 health systems that partner with One Medical (and now Amazon) Amazon's newest healthcare company, One Medical, has spent years courting health systems as partners so their specialists could provide care at its more than 125 clinics. 29 physician specialties ranked by happiness Physicians' happiness varies greatly by specialty, with plastic surgeons reporting the most contentment outside of work, a Feb. 24 Medscape report found. CIO/HEALTH IT 'That is exactly how we treated the patient': ChatGPT update's medical expertise surprises physicians A ChatGPT update released March 14 has been stunning physicians with its ability to deliver sound medical advice, The New York Times reported. Russian ransomware gang posts more Lehigh Valley patient photos to dark web Russian ransomware gang BlackChat has posted more photos of patients from Allentown, Pa.-based Lehigh Valley Health Network to the dark web, The (Allentown) Morning Call reported March 10. Anonymous call informs Virginia hospital of data breach An anonymous individual called Norfolk, Va.-based Sentara Healthcare to notify the hospital that a PDF copy of a Medicare remittance report for Sentara's lab services was uploaded to an Adobe Acrobat website.  Ochsner CIO moves to Sutter Health Sacramento, Calif.-based Sutter Health has named Laura Wilt as its new senior vice president and chief digital officer.  Epic, Press Ganey to integrate patient experience data into MyChart Epic Systems has partnered with consumer experience company Press Ganey to integrate patient experience data into MyChart.  WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP 23 thoughts on leadership from women in healthcare In honor of Women's History Month in March and International Women's Day on March 8, Becker's Hospital Review asked women in the healthcare industry to share their insights on leadership. Best, worst states for women Many of the best states for women are concentrated on the East Coast, while Southern states fare worse for female residents.  150 top places to work in healthcare | 2023 Becker's Healthcare is thrilled to announce its 2023 list of 150 top places to work in healthcare. This list is meant to call attention to hospitals, health systems and healthcare companies that invest in their employees' wellbeing, satisfaction and fulfillment. 'Most powerful woman in healthcare': Judy Faulkner named 1 of 5 inspirational women in business Noting that she's been dubbed the "most powerful woman in healthcare," marketing agency C2 Communications named Epic founder and CEO Judy Faulkner one of its five inspirational women in business.

April 2023 Issue of Becker's Hospital Review ON THE COVER Michael Dowling, CEO of Northwell Health New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health began 2023 with a low, but positive operating margin, but labor costs are expected to increase again this year on the back of recent union activity in the state.  Robert Allen, CEO of Pipeline Health Segundo, Calif.-based Pipeline Health emerged from bankruptcy Feb. 9, just four months after filing its Chapter 11 petition. Randy Davis, Vice President and CIO of CGH Medical Center On Feb. 8, CVS Health entered into an agreement to purchase primary care company Oak Street Health in an all-cash deal worth $10.6 billion, but some hospital and health system CIOs say this deal isn't transformative as it isn't big enough to "rattle" the provider industry. Simon Linwood, MD, CIO of UCR Health On Feb. 8, CVS Health entered into an agreement to purchase primary care company Oak Street Health in an all-cash deal worth $10.6 billion, but some hospital and health system CIOs say this deal isn't transformative as it isn't big enough to "rattle" the provider industry. Onyeka Nchege, Senior Vice President and CIO of Novant Health Onyeka Nchege, senior vice president and chief information officer of Novant Health, based in Winston-Salem, N.C., has seen the clear benefit of investing in digital transformation for patient care and the revenue cycle. We're going to come out of this winning:' Northwell CEO on labor challenges and the system's biggest growth area New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health began 2023 with a low, but positive operating margin, but labor costs are expected to increase again this year on the back of recent union activity in the state.  The promises and pitfalls of ChatGPT: 10 digital leaders on how hospitals might use it In a little more than two months since its launch, ChatGPT passed the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam and prompted major scientific journals to ban or restrict its use in research. Now, hospital and health system leaders are trying to determine where the technology could be most helpful and where it may cause harm. 10 fastest-growing C-suite roles A number of new titles have claimed their seat at the executive table in recent years, according to LinkedIn. Most board members at the nation's top hospitals have no healthcare background: Study Less than 15 percent of board members overseeing the nation's top hospitals have a professional background in healthcare, while more than half have a background in finance or business services, according to a study published Feb. 8 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. How Henry Ford rehired 25% of nurses who left during the pandemic Job flexibility is at the center of hospitals' and health systems' strategies to welcome back nurses who left during earlier stages of the COVID-19 pandemic — and some are seeing significant progress.  Hospitals suffer worst financial year since the pandemic Eleventh-hour financial improvements were not enough for U.S. hospitals, making 2022 "the worst financial year for hospitals and health systems since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic," according to Kaufman Hall.  Amazon completes $3.9B acquisition of One Medical Amazon has completed its $3.9 billion acquisition of virtual and in-person primary care company One Medical, the retailer said Feb. 22.  CFO-turned-CEO shares keys to leading health system out of bankruptcy in 4 months Segundo, Calif.-based Pipeline Health emerged from bankruptcy Feb. 9, just four months after filing its Chapter 11 petition.  Novant's ROI for 2 key digital investments Onyeka Nchege, senior vice president and chief information officer of Novant Health, based in Winston-Salem, N.C., has seen the clear benefit of investing in digital transformation for patient care and the revenue cycle. Mark Cuban's low-cost pharmacy to partner with independent pharmacists Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Co. announced that it is working on a new program to partner with independent pharmacists in an effort to increase access and affordability of prescription drugs. CFO / FINANCE Hospitals suffer worst financial year since the pandemic Eleventh-hour financial improvements were not enough for U.S. hospitals, making 2022 "the worst financial year for hospitals and health systems since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic," according to Kaufman Hall. Top 7 billionaires in US healthcare An HCA Healthcare co-founder and shareholder tops the list of billionaires in U.S. healthcare. Hospital expenses, state by state Average hospital operating expenses vary greatly from state to state, from $70 million in Wyoming to half a billion dollars in New York.  Amazon completes $3.9B acquisition of One Medical Amazon has completed its $3.9 billion acquisition of virtual and in-person primary care company One Medical, the retailer said Feb. 22.  North Carolina health systems defend executive pay in wake of treasurer's report Nonprofit hospital systems are defending the pay their executives receive after a report released by North Carolina Treasurer Dale Folwell on Feb. 15 found that the systems paid top executives more than $1.75 billion in the past decade, doubling CEO paychecks in less than five years. CEO/STRATEGY 10 'overpaid' CEOs in healthcare The number of 'overpaid' CEOs leading large companies that intersect with healthcare decreased in the past year, falling from 17 to 10, based on the most recent annual report from nonprofit shareholder advocacy group As You Sow. 10 fastest-growing C-suite roles A number of new titles have claimed their seat at the executive table in recent years, according to LinkedIn.  Most board members at the nation's top hospitals have no healthcare background: Study Less than 15 percent of board members overseeing the nation's top hospitals have a professional background in healthcare, while more than half have a background in finance or business services, according to a study published Feb. 8 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. Illinois hospital CEO dismissed amid board investigation Debbie Campbell has been dismissed as CEO of Thomas H. Boyd Memorial Hospital in Carrollton, Ill., WLDS1180reported Feb. 16.  Some Gen Zers hope they get laid off: Here's why Younger generations aren't lamenting layoffs, Bloomberg reported Feb. 8 THOUGHT LEADERSHIP We're going to come out of this winning:' Northwell CEO on labor challenges and the system's biggest growth area New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health began 2023 with a low, but positive operating margin, but labor costs are expected to increase again this year on the back of recent union activity in the state.  CFO-turned-CEO shares keys to leading health system out of bankruptcy in 4 months Segundo, Calif.-based Pipeline Health emerged from bankruptcy Feb. 9, just four months after filing its Chapter 11 petition.  Nurse viewpoint: Mandatory staffing ratios are the wrong fight Mandatory nurse staffing ratios are a temporary solution to a larger issue and will not bring about the respect the profession deserves, Kathleen Bartholomew, MN, RN, a national speaker and nurse advocate, wrote in an op-ed for Nurse.org. Instead, nurses should be advocating for charge nurses to have the authority to set ratios on an hourly basis and "get as many nurses as they request. Period," she said. 'A waste of $10B': Health system CIOs on CVS' Oak Street acquisition On Feb. 8, CVS Health entered into an agreement to purchase primary care company Oak Street Health in an all-cash deal worth $10.6 billion, but some hospital and health system CIOs say this deal isn't transformative as it isn't big enough to "rattle" the provider industry.  INNOVATION Novant's ROI for 2 key digital investments Onyeka Nchege, senior vice president and chief information officer of Novant Health, based in Winston-Salem, N.C., has seen the clear benefit of investing in digital transformation for patient care and the revenue cycle. CVS, Amazon, Optum: Health system CIOs on who will be the biggest disrupter of '2 As Amazon, CVS and Optum continue to utilize upstart companies that provide primary care, virtual care and in-home care to try to buy their way into the healthcare industry, health system CIOs told Becker's that they're betting on CVS and Optum to make the most disruption to the primary care arena in 2023. What is the best hospital in the US?' ChatGPT's response People are turning to ChatGPT for guidance in a variety of situations, including for healthcare needs. Mediumreported earlier this month ChatGPT listed questions about health and medicine, including symptoms and treatments, were among the most asked  questions of the artificial intelligence-powered chat bot. 'Mmm hmm.' 'Uh-uh': Study says Google, Amazon medical transcription services miss nuances Mmm hmm." "Uh-uh." When your physician answers your questions with those phrases, you understand. But the artificial intelligence listening to your conversation might not. US physicians are experiencing a data overload More than 7 in 10 physicians said they are suffering from a data overload, Politico reported Feb. 8.   CMO CARE DELIVERY Hundreds more physicians died than expected amid pandemic Just as COVID-19 led to a much higher number of deaths for the public than what would have been anticipated without the virus, during the same time physicians in the workforce saw more than 600 excess deaths among their profession. Why some hospitals are understaffing physicians Private equity investors are taking over more medical staffing companies, leading to physician cuts being made in emergency rooms to save money and increase profits, NPR reported Feb. 11. The health systems bucking the price transparency trend Nearly a quarter of hospitals reviewed by patientrightsadvocate.org are now compliant with federal price transparency rules, according to the agency's semi-annual report released Feb. 6. 'Very concerning,' says AMA leader on pharmacists expanding their scope The American Medical Association is tracking about 60 bills that seek to broaden pharmacists' scope of practice, and its senior attorney said the legislation is "very concerning for us." Mark Cuban's low-cost pharmacy to partner with independent pharmacists Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Co. announced that it is working on a new program to partner with independent pharmacists in an effort to increase access and affordability of prescription drugs. CIO/HEALTH IT MyChart on smart TVs, two-way texting, genomics: Epic's plans for '23 After a year in which it debuted several new software programs and worked with Big Tech companies such as Google and Apple, Epic has big plans and goals for 2023. Dartmouth pilots nursing hackathon: 'Shark Tank for nurses' Lebanon N.H.-based Dartmouth Health recently gave nurses the opportunity to pitch solutions for issues they encounter on a daily basis as part of the health system's first Nursing Innovation Hackathon. Russian hackers disrupt health system websites across US Russian hacking group Killnet claimed responsibility for a cyberattack that disrupted hospital and health system websites across the U.S., according to BetterCyber, a technology company. Providence to hire 2,000 more tech employees in India Renton, Wash.-based Providence plans to triple its number of employees in Hyderabad, India, a major technology hub, according to local newspaper The Siasat Daily. Tallahassee hospital still using paper records, diverting EMS patients after IT security event Tallahassee (Fla.) Memorial HealthCare said it is "making progress" from an IT security event that caused it to take its IT systems offline last week. WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP Why VCU Health's new CIO is laser-focused on usability + adoption: Q&A with Ellen Wiegand From protecting her health system's IT budget to archiving and sunsetting remaining IT systems that were replaced by the health system's new core enterprise platforms, VCU Health's new CIO and Senior Vice President Ellen Wiegand is focused on usability and adoption in 2023.  20 governors form alliance to expand reproductive healthcare Twenty U.S. governors are joining forces to strengthen, expand and protect reproductive rights in their states.  UCSF: All-woman transplant team makes history University of California San Francisco made history with what it believes is the first all-woman heart transplant team, the San Francisco Times reported Feb. 14. Workplace 'mansplaining' takes a toll on women Condescension at work is more likely to affect women than men, Fortune reported Feb. 15.  Bragging at work has its benefits Nobody wants to be seen as a "bragger," but it is important to advocate for oneself and take credit on the job, The Wall Street Journal reported. 

Thank you for your interest in MyBHC and MyBHC+! We will keep you updated and make sure you're the first to know when the subscription service is live and ready for you to enroll.

January/February 2023 Issue of Becker's Clinical Leadership & Infection Control ON THE COVER C. difficile has a secret ally, researchers find Children's Hospital of Philadelphia researchers found that Enterococcus, an antibiotic-resistant pathogen, works with Clostridioides difficile, or C. diff, to change the metabolic environment in the gut so C. diff can thrive, Science Daily reported Nov. 16. The cost of diagnostic errors in the ED: 5 study notes A new study led by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality that estimates 370,000 patients may suffer serious harm as a result of misdiagnosis in U.S. emergency departments every year is being met with strong criticism from medical societies representing emergency physicians, The New York Times reported Dec. 15. Joint Commission to overhaul quality metrics, freeze accreditation fees The Joint Commission is undergoing sweeping overhaul of its standards, eliminating 168 standards (14 percent) and revising another 14 standards. The organization is looking to make its accreditation programs as "efficient and impactful on patient safety, quality and equity as possible," according to Jonathan Perlin, MD, PhD, president and chief executive officer of The Joint Commission. Trinity Health aims to reduce worker stress with daily pay option Amid workforce shortages and recruitment and retention challenges, Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health set out to discuss ways to alleviate stress in employees' lives. An interprofessional team across the health system began those talks about a year ago. One of the results was a new pay option for workers under which they can access their money by the day. How 3 health systems promote nurse civility The Joint Commission is working to change the way unprofessional issues are communicated between nurses using a report system and trained peer messengers. The top items on 5 chief medical officers' to-do lists Clinical leaders across the country know employee burnout, medication shortages and respiratory infections, among a wealth of other challenges, have created the not-so-perfect storm in hospitals.  Nursing ranked most trusted profession for 22nd year in a row The nursing profession continues to secure the highest assessment of ethics and honesty from Americans, according to the latest Gallup poll findings.  5 top patient safety issues for 2023 The Becker's Clinical Leadership & Infection Control editorial team chose the following five patient safety issues for healthcare leaders to prioritize in 2023, presented below in no particular order, based on news, study findings and trends reported in the past year. Michelin-star food for the same price as frozen meals: How Northwell does it Hospitals have a reputation for bland or unhealthy food, but New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health is flipping the script by hiring chefs from Michelin-star restaurants. ANA's new president: What healthcare leaders get wrong about resiliency Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, RN, the newest president of the American Nurses Association, twitches when she hears the word resiliency. CommonSpirit's plan to support 44,000 nurses in 2023 Leaders at small health systems might be quick to dismiss the idea of an internal nurse staffing agency, thinking it's not an option for them. Kathy Sanford, DBA, RN, would challenge that assumption. Why nurses are signing 'unresignation' letters A nurse staffing community is encouraging nurses who left the profession or are considering an exit to recommit as part of a new "unResignation Notice" campaign. The campaign aims to spread awareness on the workplace challenges that contributed to nurses' departures. 56 best jobs in healthcare, per US News U.S. News and World Report on Jan. 10 released its best jobs ranking for 2023. Of the 190 jobs on the list, 56 were healthcare or healthcare support-related. Viewpoint: Safety work relies too much on clinicians' heroism A national patient safety effort that standardizes best practices across all U.S. hospitals is required to achieve and sustain meaningful improvements in patient care, five patient safety experts said in a NEJM Catalyst article published Dec. 12.   INFECTION CONTROL Vaccine hesitancy fueling resurgence of diseases, experts say A measles outbreak in Columbus, Ohio, is sparking concern among health officials who believe that increased vaccine hesitancy will intensify a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases, according to The Washington Post. Measles is 'imminent' global threat, CDC and WHO say The pandemic spurred major setbacks in global efforts to eliminate measles, making the disease an "imminent threat" for every part of the world, the CDC and World Health Organization said Nov. 23. NIH, Sheba Medical Center create pandemic research institute The National Institutes of Health is partnering with Sheba Medical Center in Israel to create a pandemic research institute, the organizations said Dec. 22. 1 in 8 deaths tied to bacterial infections, global study finds Bacterial infections accounted for nearly 14 percent of deaths globally in 2019, trailing heart disease as the world's second-leading cause of death, according to a study published Nov. 21 in The Lancet. C. difficile has a secret ally, researchers find Children's Hospital of Philadelphia researchers found that Enterococcus, an antibiotic-resistant pathogen, works with Clostridioides difficile, or C. diff, to change the metabolic environment in the gut so C. diff can thrive, Science Daily reported Nov. 16. PATIENT SAFETY & OUTCOMES 5 top patient safety issues for 2023 The Becker's Clinical Leadership & Infection Control editorial team chose the following five patient safety issues for healthcare leaders to prioritize in 2023, presented below in no particular order, based on news, study findings and trends reported in the past year. Researchers find possible genetic cause for MIS-C A new study suggests there may be an underlying genetic cause for why some children develop a rare but serious inflammatory condition known as multisystem inflammatory syndrome, or MIS-C, after a COVID-19 infection.  The cost of diagnostic errors in the ED: 5 study notes A new study led by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality that estimates 370,000 patients may suffer serious harm as a result of misdiagnosis in U.S. emergency departments every year is being met with strong criticism from medical societies representing emergency physicians, The New York Times reported Dec. 15. Joint Commission to overhaul quality metrics, freeze accreditation fees The Joint Commission is undergoing sweeping overhaul of its standards, eliminating 168 standards (14 percent) and revising another 14 standards. The organization is looking to make its accreditation programs as "efficient and impactful on patient safety, quality and equity as possible," according to Jonathan Perlin, MD, PhD, president and chief executive officer of The Joint Commission. HHS to partner with health systems on national patient safety alliance HHS is partnering with some of the country's largest health systems on a national alliance to advance patient safety that will launch next year.  PATIENT & CAREGIVER EXPERIENCE 56 best jobs in healthcare, per US News U.S. News and World Report on Jan. 10 released its best jobs ranking for 2023. Of the 190 jobs on the list, 56 were healthcare or healthcare support-related. How physician-peer relationships affect the patient experience: Study Patients referred to specialists who know their primary care physician may get better care, a study published Jan. 3 in JAMA Internal Medicine suggests Michelin-star food for the same price as frozen meals: How Northwell does it Hospitals have a reputation for bland or unhealthy food, but New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health is flipping the script by hiring chefs from Michelin-star restaurants. 52% of patients say their symptoms are ignored: Survey Fifty-two percent of U.S. patients said healthcare providers dismiss their described symptoms, according to a new MITRE-Harris poll. NYC Health + Hospitals offers plant-based dinner menu NYC Health + Hospitals introduced a culturally diverse, plant-based dinner menu as its primary meal option for inpatients. The initiative builds on the hospital system's "Meatless Monday" program and its successful launch last summer of a plant-based primary lunch menu, according to a Jan. 9 release. QUALITY IMPROVEMENT & MEASUREMENT Structured patient handoffs cut adverse effects by nearly 50%, researchers find The I-PASS Handoff Program, created to improve handoff miscommunications when providers change shifts, resulted in a 47 percent reduction in adverse events, a new study found. Dementia rates fell 30% over 16 years — working and education may deserve credit Researchers from RAND Corporation, a nonprofit think tank, found dementia rates dropped by 30.1 percent among individuals 65 and older over a 16-year period. Delaying surgery after COVID-19 infection can prevent heart issues A recent study found that delaying surgery after a COVID-19 infection reduced the risk of major postoperative heart events. Less than a quarter of NICUs conduct social determinants of health screenings Less than 25 percent of neonatal intensive care units across the U.S. screen for universal social determinants of health, according to a study published Nov. 1 in Hospital Pediatrics. Atlanta hospital gets 1st maternal levels of care designation from The Joint Commission Northside Hospital in Atlanta is the first in the country to receive a Maternal Levels of Care Verification from The Joint Commission.  NURSING SPOTLIGHT ANA's new president: What healthcare leaders get wrong about resiliency Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, RN, the newest president of the American Nurses Association, twitches when she hears the word resiliency. Why nurses are signing 'unresignation' letters A nurse staffing community is encouraging nurses who left the profession or are considering an exit to recommit as part of a new "unResignation Notice" campaign. The campaign aims to spread awareness on the workplace challenges that contributed to nurses' departures. Nursing ranked most trusted profession for 22nd year in a row The nursing profession continues to secure the highest assessment of ethics and honesty from Americans, according to the latest Gallup poll findings.  Press Ganey recognizes 7 hospitals for outstanding nursing Press Ganey, a leading healthcare performance improvement company, recognized seven hospitals for outstanding nursing Jan. 4. Resilience isn't a pillar by itself': CommonSpirit's plan to support 44,000 nurses in 2023 Leaders at small health systems might be quick to dismiss the idea of an internal nurse staffing agency, thinking it's not an option for them. Kathy Sanford, DBA, RN, would challenge that assumption.

March 2023 Issue of Becker's Hospital Review   ON THE COVER Michael Dowling, President and CEO of Northwell Health Consistent with their core mission, all healthcare providers have been steadily focused on a series of key priorities: enhancing access to all, improving quality and outcomes, investing in employee engagement and satisfaction, managing their financial condition, improving their infrastructure and working collaboratively with the government. Mike Slubowski, President and CEO of Trinity Health Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health plans to roll out virtual nurses at its hospitals around the state of Michigan — and nationwide. David Lubarsky, MD, CEO of UC Davis Health Around one in five Americans live in rural areas, but only 5 percent of physicians practice in these same areas. UC Davis has made it a priority to help close this gap in rural healthcare by incentivizing medical school graduates to practice in rural communities. We have built a number of clinical and education partnerships to both increase providers in these communities and bring in, via virtual technologies, advanced and specialty practices from regional academic medical centers. Johnese Spisso, RN, President of UCLA Health and CEO of UCLA Hospital System While some progress has been made in improving access to primary care in rural areas, access to specialty care remains a challenge. One of the opportunities to increase access is through the use of telemedicine and video visits with highly trained specialists who are available at academic medical centers and other large health systems. One of the ways we have expanded access at UCLA Health is through telemedicine. Additionally, through operating an interfacility transfer center, we serve as a resource to rural hospitals in our region, which rely on us to accept transfers of complex patients that have needs that exceed the level of care that can be provided in the rural facilities BIll Gassen, President and CEO of Sanford Health Protecting rural health care starts with reimagining how we deliver care for the 1.5 million patients we have the privilege of serving at Sanford Health, two-thirds of whom live in rural communities. Sanford’s landmark $350 million virtual care initiative aims to expand access to convenient, high-quality care regardless of zip code, improve the patient experience, advance innovation through new research and attract and train a new generation of clinicians. Candice Saunders, CEO of Wellstar Health System Candice Saunders, BSN, has served as president and CEO of Marietta, Ga.-based Wellstar Health System for nearly a decade. But her healthcare journey has origins at the bedside. What will save rural healthcare? Rural hospitals and healthcare facilities face amplified financial challenges amid persisting workforce shortages, rising costs and leveling reimbursement. Reserves are dwindling and without urgent action, hundreds of facilities face closure. CEOs, CFOs don't see recession as a barrier to growth Hospital and health system executives aim to strengthen resilience and readiness in preparation for an economic downturn, but most CEOs and CFOs do not see a recession as a barrier to growth, according to Mercer's "2023 Executive Outlook" survey.  Hospitals raising nurse pay: Why now? Inflation, nurse contracts opening up and a decrease in contract worker utilization are among the factors behind a spate of recent pay raises across hospitals and health systems. But such raises are hardly enough to remain competitive and improve retention in today's market, experts say. Texas raising salaries, starting pay for state hospital workers The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is increasing salaries and starting pay at state hospitals and state-supported living centers to address staffing shortages, maintain competitive wages and bring hospital beds back online.  A peek into healthcare's future? AI passes medical licensing exam An artificial intelligence chatbot that generates humanlike responses passed all three parts of the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam, according to findings published in the preprint server medRxiv. How Gen Z sees healthcare: 10 statsdifference: different workplace norms, different social initiatives, different technological approaches. They'll want a different healthcare industry, too, as many literally wear their health metrics on their sleeve. The case against mandatory nurse staffing ratios Washington state lawmakers have introduced a bill that would limit the number of patients a nurse can legally care for in hospitals, reigniting a long-standing debate over the benefits and consequences of mandated staffing ratios.  20 hospitals with highest contract labor expenses The average contract labor spend among hospitals more than doubled between 2011 and 2020, with many hospitals and health systems now making concerted efforts to curb this expense category.  Trinity Health plans to institute virtual nurses across its 88 hospitals in 26 states Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health plans to roll out virtual nurses at its hospitals around the state of Michigan — and nationwide. Dollar General offers healthcare in 3 store parking lots Dollar General customers at three locations in Tennessee can now see a healthcare provider in the store's parking lot for preventative care, urgent care and chronic condition management services. How much 3 health systems are paying for EHR installs Here is how much three health systems are expected to pay for the cost of purchasing, installing and upgrading a new or current electronic health record system: CFO / FINANCE Lawmakers go after UPMC Two Pennsylvania lawmakers are setting their sights on UPMC, elevating allegations published in a report from the American Economic Liberties Project that accuses the Pittsburgh-based health system of building a monopoly. Consolidated health systems offer 'marginally better care at significantly higher costs': Study Consolidated health systems have led to "marginally better care at significantly higher costs," according to a study published Jan. 24 in JAMA.  Hospitals raising nurse pay: Why now? Inflation, nurse contracts opening up and a decrease in contract worker utilization are among the factors behind a spate of recent pay raises across hospitals and health systems. But such raises are hardly enough to remain competitive and improve retention in today's market, experts say. UPMC to transition rural hospital to outpatient emergency department Pittsburgh-based UPMC is transitioning the 25-bed rural hospital UPMC Lock Haven (Pa.) to an outpatient emergency department. CEOs, CFOs don't see recession as a barrier to growth Hospital and health system executives aim to strengthen resilience and readiness in preparation for an economic downturn, but most CEOs and CFOs do not see a recession as a barrier to growth, according to Mercer's "2023 Executive Outlook" survey.  CEO/STRATEGY The case against mandatory nurse staffing ratios Washington state lawmakers have introduced a bill that would limit the number of patients a nurse can legally care for in hospitals, reigniting a long-standing debate over the benefits and consequences of mandated staffing ratios.  MetroWest Medical Center CEO, CNO resign after less than 1 year The CEO and chief nursing officer at Framingham, Mass.-based MetroWest Medical Center have stepped down after less than one year in their respective roles. How Gen Z sees healthcare: 10 stats difference: different workplace norms, different social initiatives, different technological approaches. They'll want a different healthcare industry, too, as many literally wear their health metrics on their sleeve. 'CEO pessimism' at a decade high: report About 73 percent of CEOs believe economic growth will decline over the next year, the most pessimistic outlook since PwC began asking the question as part of its annual CEO survey 12 years ago. THOUGHT LEADERSHIP What will save rural healthcare? Rural hospitals and healthcare facilities face amplified financial challenges amid persisting workforce shortages, rising costs and leveling reimbursement. Reserves are dwindling and without urgent action, hundreds of facilities face closure. Michael Dowling: The unthinkable priority now facing hospitals Consistent with their core mission, all healthcare providers have been steadily focused on a series of key priorities: enhancing access to all, improving quality and outcomes, investing in employee engagement and satisfaction, managing their financial condition, improving their infrastructure and working collaboratively with the government. INNOVATION Marshfield's Cerner install led to revenue cycle issues, ratings downgrade Marshfield (Wis.) Clinic Health System's IT standardization efforts over the last few years disrupted operations and were a contributing factor in Fitch's decision to issue a ratings downgrade from an "A-" to "BBB+" rating. A peek into healthcare's future? AI passes medical licensing exam An artificial intelligence chatbot that generates humanlike responses passed all three parts of the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam, according to findings published in the preprint server medRxiv. Trinity Health plans to institute virtual nurses across its 88 hospitals in 26 states Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health plans to roll out virtual nurses at its hospitals around the state of Michigan — and nationwide. Why Amazon, Alphabet are letting some healthcare employees go Amazon and Alphabet's healthcare arm Verily said it would let go some of its healthcare employees as an uncertain economy has been causing financial and operational challenges for tech companies.  CVS Health debuts new virtual primary care CVS Health launchednew virtual care offerings Jan. 23 focused on primary care and mental health services. CMO/Care Delivery Texas raising salaries, starting pay for state hospital workers The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is increasing salaries and starting pay at state hospitals and state-supported living centers to address staffing shortages, maintain competitive wages and bring hospital beds back online.  48% of physicians are happy at work, survey finds Physicians' happiness fell amid the pandemic and is not rebounding easily, according to Medscape's 2023 Physician Lifestyle and Happiness Report. 25% of critical healthcare staff willing to quit over workplace violence Most healthcare workers in critical care settings experience on-the-job violence, with 25 percent saying they were willing to quit because of the issue, according to a global survey presented Jan. 21 at the Society of Critical Care Medicine's 2023 Critical Care Congress. The top items on 5 chief medical officers' to-do lists Clinical leaders across the country know employee burnout, medication shortages and respiratory infections, among a wealth of other challenges, have created the not-so-perfect storm in hospitals.  'Operation Nightingale': Feds charge 25 in sweeping nurse diploma scheme Twenty-five people have been charged for their alleged participation in a coordinated scheme to sell aspiring nurses thousands of fake nursing degree documents, the Justice Department said Jan. 25. CIO/HEALTH IT Mass General Brigham, Northwell and Mayo: Where hospitals are spending their innovation dollars From virtual nurses to artificial intelligence-powered scheduling to pill-sized robots, hospitals and health systems have started 2023 with an eye on innovation. Cleveland Clinic bills for less than 1% of weekly MyChart messages Cleveland Clinic began billing patients for electronic messages through Epic's MyChart patient portal in November. Since then, it has charged fees for responses to less than 1 percent of the 110,000 weekly emails its providers received, The New York Times reported Jan. 24. How much 3 health systems are paying for EHR installs Here is how much three health systems are expected to pay for the cost of purchasing, installing and upgrading a new or current electronic health record system: New CPT codes added for AI, virtual reality With the increasing use of artificial intelligence and virtual reality in healthcare, the American Medical Association unveiled new Current Procedural Terminology codes for these services. WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP Corner Office: How Wellstar CEO Candice Saunders' nursing background gives her an edge up Candice Saunders, BSN, has served as president and CEO of Marietta, Ga.-based Wellstar Health System for nearly a decade. But her healthcare journey has origins at the bedside. Gaslighting' is 2022's word of the year. Healthcare is not immune to its flame. "Gaslighting" was Merriam-Webster's word of the year in 2022, the dictionary announced Nov. 28. As "gaslighting" has become more pervasive in the English language, it has gained associations with the medical field — albeit less obvious ones than last year's word, "vaccine." 

February 2023 Issue of Becker's Hospital Review   ON THE COVEREdD, President and CEO, MetroHealth Airica Steed, EdD, RN, became president and CEO of MetroHealth on Dec. 5, and she said community health and health equity are among her focuses Michael Dowling, President and CEO, Northwell Health A difficult year for hospital and health system finances brought with it renewed attention to expenditures. Scrutinizing costs is a job that should be done with the same amount of precision and care as your top surgeons in the OR, because one mistaken move can cause several complications and long-term damage Leslie Davis, President and CEO, UPMC Leslie Davis has spent more than a year as president and CEO of Pittsburgh-based UPMC. Ms. Davis took the helm of the 40-hospital global health system in August 2021, succeeding Jeffrey Romoff, who had a 48-year tenure with the organization Will Curry, MD, CMO, Massachusetts General Hospital Expanding access to multidisciplinary care is crucial to improving patient experience and outcomes, according to Will Curry, MD, chief medical officer at Boston-based Massachusetts General Hospital.  Kathy Sanford, CNO, CommonSpirit Leaders at small health systems might be quick to dismiss the idea of an internal nurse staffing agency, thinking it's not an option for them. Kathy Sanford, DBA, RN, would challenge that assumption. 10 health systems with strong finances Here are 10 health systems with strong operational metrics and solid financial positions, according to reports from credit rating agencies Fitch Ratings and Moody's Investors Service Mayo Clinic faces scrutiny over collection practices The Minnesota Attorney General's Office is seeking more information about Rochester-based Mayo Clinic's "apparent aggressive bill-collection conduct," the Post Bulletin reported Dec. 15. 5 trilliondollar questions hanging over hospitals Big questions tend to have no easy answers. Fortunately, few people would say they went into healthcare for its ease. Chief experience officers on the initiatives that can't wait Regardless of the crisis of the moment — be it a crushing nursing shortage or nonstop stream of patients with respiratory illnesses — hospitals that fail to keep a close eye on providing extraordinary patient experience will pay, one way or the other. Jefferson Health to reorganize, tighten executive team Philadelphia-based Jefferson Health plans to go from five divisions to three in an effort to flatten management and become more efficient, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Jan. 12. 17 hospitals, health systems cutting jobs Several hospitals and health systems are trimming their workforces or jobs due to financial and operational challenges Tenet to sell California hospital John Muir Health has entered into a definitive agreement with Tenet Healthcare to acquire sole ownership of San Ramon (Calif.) Regional Medical Center.  Advocate Health names leadership team Advocate Health, a newly combined system resulting from the merger of Atrium Health and Advocate Aurora Health, has named its executive leadership team. Highest paid specialties for PAs, NPs Year over year, median total cash compensation for physician assistants and nurse practitioners climbed by 4.5 percent, according to a surveyreleased Dec. 7 by consulting firm SullivanCotter.  Viewpoint: Safety work relies too much on clinicians' heroism A national patient safety effort that standardizes best practices across all U.S. hospitals is required to achieve and sustain meaningful improvements in patient care, five patient safety experts said in a NEJM Catalyst article published Dec. 12. 20 chief digital officer moves As hospitals and health systems continued their shift to digital this year, several named their inaugural chief digital officers while other digital chiefs left for new jobs in other industries. Study: MyChart messages dwindle after hospitals start billing for them MyChart messages declined at San Francisco-based UCSF Health after the health system started billing for them, though clinicians rarely charge patients for them, a JAMA study found How 1 system is helping moms reenter the healthcare workforce The idea for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's MomForce Program came about while Linda Matzigkeit was mixing cement.  CFO / FINANCE 17 hospitals, health systems cutting jobs Several hospitals and health systems are trimming their workforces or jobs due to financial and operational challenges Lifespan names new CFO Providence, R.I.-based Lifespan has named Peter Markell vice president and CFO, effective Jan. 30. 10 health systems with strong finances Here are 10 health systems with strong operational metrics and solid financial positions, according to reports from credit rating agencies Fitch Ratings and Moody's Investors ServiceHospital margins see eleventh-hour improvement Hospitals experienced a slight boost to operating margins in November, but not enough to restore the median negative margins that persisted for 2022 to date. Mass General Brigham losses mount as operating margin dips to -2.5% Boston-based Mass General Brigham posteda $432 million loss (-2.6 percent operating margin) for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, with inflation, workforce shortages and a worsening capacity crisis continuing to affect the health system's financial performance. CEO/STRATEGY 5 trilliondollar questions hanging over hospitals Big questions tend to have no easy answers. Fortunately, few people would say they went into healthcare for its ease. Cap hospital CEO pay at $800,000, physician says Controversy driven by bonuses paid out to MetroHealth System's former CEO has intensified criticism of hospital CEO pay at large, with one former MetroHealth physician calling for it to be capped at $800,000 — twice as much as the U.S. president earns. Advocate Health names leadership team in wake of merger Advocate Health, a newly combined system resulting from the merger of Atrium Health and Advocate Aurora Health, has named its executive leadership team. Northwestern Memorial HealthCare taps CEO Chicago-based Northwestern Memorial HealthCare has named Howard Chrisman, MD, its next CEO. Hospital CEO exits climb in what may be bellwether for C-suites The number of CEO changes at hospitals and health systems climbed 300 percent in November after a slowdown the month prior, according to a Dec. 14 Challenger, Gray & Christmas report. THOUGHT LEADERSHIP Community health at its best': Dr. Airica Steed's bold goals as MetroHealth's new CEO Airica Steed, EdD, RN, became president and CEO of MetroHealth on Dec. 5, and she said community health and health equity are among her focuses Michael Dowling: 6 ground rules for cost cutting A difficult year for hospital and health system finances brought with it renewed attention to expenditures. Scrutinizing costs is a job that should be done with the same amount of precision and care as your top surgeons in the OR, because one mistaken move can cause several complications and long-term damage Corner Office: How UPMC is innovating staff retention Leslie Davis has spent more than a year as president and CEO of Pittsburgh-based UPMC. Ms. Davis took the helm of the 40-hospital global health system in August 2021, succeeding Jeffrey Romoff, who had a 48-year tenure with the organization What Mass Gen's chief medical officer sees as key to improved care: 5 Qs with Dr. Will Curry Expanding access to multidisciplinary care is crucial to improving patient experience and outcomes, according to Will Curry, MD, chief medical officer at Boston-based Massachusetts General Hospital. INNOVATION 7 chief experience officers on patient experience initiatives that can't wait Regardless of the crisis of the moment — be it a crushing nursing shortage or nonstop stream of patients with respiratory illnesses — hospitals that fail to keep a close eye on providing extraordinary patient experience will pay, one way or the other. JPMorgan wants to bring back 60-minute doctor's appointments he demise of Haven — a coalition of three big employers aiming to lower the cost of healthcare for their workers — was met with a surprising reaction from Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase: "We want to do this again." Robot pills and telenutrition: The startups Northwell, Mayo and Memorial Hermann are investing in Large health systems are fueling healthcare innovation by making their own investments in biotech, therapeutics and health tech by supporting intriguing new startups. How UPMC created an innovation hub in Pittsburgh UPMC has created an innovation hub in its home base of Pittsburgh by greatly expanding its cancer research and precision medicine footprints, Pittsburgh Business Times reported Jan. 3. Don't shy away from AI, says MUSC innovation leader Arman Kilic, MD, director of the Schiller Surgical Innovation Center at the Charleston-based Medical University of South Carolina, is working on 25 different projects that utilize artificial intelligence.  CMO/CARE DELIVERY 'Resilience isn't a pillar by itself': CommonSpirit's plan to support 44,000 nurses in 2023 Leaders at small health systems might be quick to dismiss the idea of an internal nurse staffing agency, thinking it's not an option for them. Kathy Sanford, DBA, RN, would challenge that assumption. Most physicians question NPs' care decisions, survey finds Nearly 80 percent of physicians say they occasionally or regularly question a nurse practitioner's treatment decisions, according to Medscape's Evolving Scope of Practice Report published Nov. 29. Highest paid specialties for Pas Year over year, median total cash compensation for physician assistants and nurse practitioners climbed by 4.5 percent, according to a survey released Dec. 7 by consulting firm SullivanCotter. BayCare names chief physician executive Clearwater, Fla.-based BayCare will welcome Sowmya Viswanathan, MD, as its new chief physician executive at the start of 2023. Highest paid specialties for NPs Year over year, median total cash compensation for physician assistants and nurse practitioners climbed by 4.5 percent, according to a surveyreleased Dec. 7 by consulting firm SullivanCotter.  CIO/HEALTH IT 4 health systems named 'best places to work in IT' share their retention strategies From letting IT teams work where they feel most productive to offering competitive salaries, this is how the health systems that made the list of Computerworld's best places to work in IT for 2023 create a great IT environment to work in. Kaiser, Cleveland Clinic, Providence: 20 chief digital officer moves in '22 As hospitals and health systems continued their shift to digital this year, several named their inaugural chief digital officers while other digital chiefs left for new jobs in other industries. Number of MyChart messages drops after hospitals start billing for them, study finds MyChart messages declined at San Francisco-based UCSF Health after the health system started billing for them, though clinicians rarely charge patients for them, a JAMA study found. University Hospitals eyes unified Epic EHR in 2023 University Hospitals in Cleveland aims to have a unified EHR platform by the end of 2023. Top 5 influences on health system CIO buying decisions Nine out of 10 health system CIOs say their purchasing decisions are influenced by key opinion leaders and industry influencers, a survey by marketing agency Merritt Group found. WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP Unmarried women no longer lag behind in retirement savings Without the combined resources of marriage, single women have historically been at a financial disadvantage during retirement. But a recent study suggests that gap between married and unmarried women is closing, Bloomberg reported Jan. 10 When physicians dismiss women's pain Physicians are more likely to ignore women when they express pain and women wait longer to receive appropriate treatment or do not receive it at all, The Washington Post reported Dec. 13. How 1 system is helping moms reenter the healthcare workforce The idea for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's MomForce Program came about while Linda Matzigkeit was mixing cement. New study gives truth to trope: Women are more empathetic Women have long been considered the more empathetic gender. New research confirms that notion, Fortune reported Dec. 28.

  Learn more about the opportunity to be one of our complimentary guest reviewers and join hundreds of executives in person at our events. Reviewers are healthcare providers invited to join and provide feedback on 3 roundtable discussions that take place during the conference. If you are interested in being a reviewer, please fill out this application and select the event(s) you're interested in attending. Our team will be in touch within 24 hours with more information.   hbspt.forms.create({ region: "na1", portalId: "498900", formId: "aae5e9a9-516b-4a3f-b9fc-8d1e873d9ec1" });