May 2021 Issue of Becker's Hospital Review ON THE COVER 21 'overpaid' healthcare CEOs The economic effects from the pandemic may place more pressure on investors to reevaluate the pay packages of CEOs in the future. But for the time being, "we are simply getting wealthier CEOs," according to an annual report from the nonprofit shareholder advocacy group As You Sow. How competing Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals CEOs view partnership post-pandemic Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals severed a historical rivalry when they began collaborating shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic. Both CEOs discussed four ways a partnership can benefit both healthcare systems post-pandemic during a March 9 radio segment on Radio Advisory. Putting Equity Into Practice: CommonSpirit Leader Talks COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy CommonSpirit Health is working on the best ways to "operationalize equity" amid the pandemic and beyond, Alisahah Cole, MD, system vice president of population health innovation and policy, told Becker's. 10 top patient safety concerns for 2021, ranked by ECRI Racial disparities in health and healthcare earned the No. 1 spot on ECRI's list of the top 10 patient safety concerns for 2021. Amazon expanding Amazon Care telemedicine program nationally: 6 details Amazon is rolling out its virtual medical service Amazon Care for its employees in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., this summer, with plans to expand the offering to other employers later this year, according to a March 17 news release. Los Angeles hospital closing after 74 years Olympia Medical Center, a 204-bed hospital in Los Angeles, is slated to close March 31 at 11:59 p.m. Baylor Scott & White job cuts, outsourcing expected to save $600M Baylor Scott & White Health's plan to outsource, lay off or retrain 1,700 employees is expected to save the health system $600 million over a five-year span, according to The Austin American-Statesman. 100 top critical access hospitals, by state The Chartis Center for Rural Health recently released its annual list of the top 100 critical access hospitals in the U.S. Walmart heir to build medical school in Arkansas Walmart heir Alice Walton said she plans to finance and build a medical school in northwest Arkansas. 10 types of cyberattacks to know and avoid Hospitals are increasingly becoming victims of cyberattacks as the workforce sees major changes amid the pandemic. Ransomware attack exposed info of 210K MultiCare patients, providers, workers More than 200,000 patients, providers and employees of Tacoma, Wash.-based MultiCare began receiving notice that their personal info had been exposed in a recent ransomware attack, according to a March 9 news release from MultiCare's medical practice management company. Surgeon defends Zoom hearing from OR, says patient safety was not jeopardized A plastic surgeon in Northern California who appeared for a virtual court hearing from the operating room while another surgeon was performing a facelift in the background said the situation was misunderstood, local NBC affiliate KCRA reported March 8. 5+ early symptoms may predict 'long COVID,' study finds People who have more than five symptoms of COVID-19 during the first week of illness may be more likely to develop prolonged health issues, known as "long COVID," according to a study published March 10 in Nature Medicine. Shelly Schorer Shelly Schorer serves as Chief Financial Officer for the Bay Area at Dignity Health. John Brownstein, PhD The COVID-19 pandemic has shined a new light on the importance of digital technologies within the practice of medicine and has served as a catalysis to boost innovation, according to John Brownstein, PhD. Brandon Webb, MD While the FDA granted emergency use authorization to Regeneron and Eli Lilly's antibody treatments in November 2020, many healthcare organizations have been slow to adopt these treatments due to a web of logistical challenges. Laura Smith Laura Smith has served as CIO of West Des Moines, Iowa-based UnityPoint Health since 2016, and she was promoted from vice president to senior vice president early this year. Peter Banko Peter Banko serves as President and Chief Executive Officer at Centura Health. Kevin Fleming Kevin Fleming serves as Chief Operating Officer of Clinical Program Services for Providence. John Couris Sitting in Raymond James Stadium with my son, Ben, watching Tom Brady lead the Bucs to a Super Bowl victory felt like a full-circle moment for me. A lifelong Pats fan and Boston native, and now a proud Tampa resident and Bucs fan, I felt an overwhelming sense of joy and pride as I reflected over the 20 years of football moments that Ben and I have shared. Stephen Klasko, MD Stephen Klasko, MD, MBA, serves as President and Chief Executive Officer at Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health. Jeffrey Gold, MD + James Linder, MD Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in the U.S. more than a year ago, it has been hard for many to imagine what our next day, week or even month will look like, and uncertainties about how to move forward impact nearly every aspect of our lives. Odette Bolano, BSN Odette Bolano, BSN, has served as president and CEO of Boise, Idaho-based Saint Alphonsus Health System since August 2018, and she oversees a five-hospital system with nearly 6,100 employees in two states. CFO / FINANCE Why rural hospital closures hit a record high in 2020 About 60 million people — nearly one in five Americans — live in rural areas and depend on their local hospitals for care. Last year, 20 of those hospitals closed, making 2020 a record year for rural hospital closures. At 1 Sutter hospital, commercial insurance rates for same procedure vary sevenfold Within the same hospital, the negotiated rate for one procedure — a GI biopsy with an endoscope — can vary by nearly sevenfold, according to a new report from the Health Care Cost Institute. Hospital finances in 2021: 10 things to know Lower patient volume, canceled elective procedures and higher expenses tied to the COVID-19 pandemic have created financial challenges for some hospitals, while others are seeing their finances begin to improve. Most big US hospitals are defying price disclosure rule Most of the largest U.S. hospitals are not in compliance with the CMS rule on hospital price transparency that went into effect Jan. 1, according to a blog post published March 16 in Health Affairs. New York hospital takes $34M hit from nearly 2,700 canceled surgeries Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo, N.Y., is working to recover revenue lost due to canceled surgeries and lower patient volumes tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. CEO/STRATEGY 21 'overpaid' healthcare CEOs The economic effects from the pandemic may place more pressure on investors to reevaluate the pay packages of CEOs in the future. But for the time being, "we are simply getting wealthier CEOs," according to an annual report from the nonprofit shareholder advocacy group As You Sow. Leapfrog adds health equity, billing ethics questions to hospital surveys The Leapfrog Group is introducing two new sets of questions for its 2021 surveys of hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers to assess whether facilities practice ethical billing and track and address care disparities that affect patient experience and outcome, the organization said March 10. How 2 health systems are bringing their remote employees back to work As progress continues with COVID-19 vaccinations, health system executives are thinking about how they will bring remote employees back to the office after the pandemic. 100 top critical access hospitals, by state The Chartis Center for Rural Health recently released its annual list of the top 100 critical access hospitals in the U.S. Mercy Health-Youngstown to open COVID-19 memorial Mercy Health–Youngstown (Ohio) and the health system's philanthropic arm, Mercy Health Foundation–Mahoning Valley, said they plan to establish a permanent COVID-19 memorial at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital. WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP How do we operationalize equity? Dr. Alisahah Cole talks CommonSpirit's COVID-19 vaccine strategy CommonSpirit Health is working on the best ways to "operationalize equity" amid the pandemic and beyond, Alisahah Cole, MD, system vice president of population health innovation and policy, told Becker's. Former Brigham Health President Dr. Betsy Nabel rejoins Moderna's board Betsy Nabel, MD, the former president of Brigham Health in Boston, rejoined Moderna's board, effective March 10. 6 ways Hennepin's chief health equity officer is improving healthcare equity in her 1st month In Nneka Sederstrom's first month as chief health equity officer at Hennepin Healthcare, her team has worked to vaccinate thousands of members of underserved communities and are serious about closing holes in access to healthcare, she told Becker's. Here are six ways a hospital determined to achieve equity can follow Dr. Sederstrom's lead and improve healthcare access. 10 best cities for women in tech Arlington, Va., is the most accommodating U.S. city for women working in tech, according to research released Feb. 18 from finance tech company SmartAsset. Walmart heir to build medical school in Arkansas Walmart heir Alice Walton said she plans to finance and build a medical school in northwest Arkansas. INNOVATION 10 top healthcare companies for innovation, per Drucker Institute Ten healthcare companies were ranked among the most innovative by the Drucker Institute, according to a ranking published in The Wall Street Journal. A primer on Dr. B, the site matching Americans with leftover COVID-19 vaccine doses Zocdoc founder and former CEO Cyrus Massoumi recently launched Dr. B, a platform that matches Americans seeking COVID-19 vaccines with leftover doses so they don't go to waste, The New York Times reported March 9. Anthem teams up with EHR startup: 3 details Indianapolis-based insurer Anthem inked a new partnership with Canvas, an EHR and practice management platform, according to an April 8 news release. Ascension's innovation arm launches $285M venture fund Ascension Ventures, the healthcare venture arm of St. Louis-based Ascension, closed a $285 million strategic venture capital fund, bringing the firm's total assets to more than $1 billion, according to a March 5 news release. How Allegheny General's former president pivoted leadership focus to health innovation Jeffrey Cohen, MD, stepped down from his role as president of Allegheny General Hospital in 2020 to head up Pittsburgh-based Allegheny Health Network's innovation efforts and biotechnology hub. CIO/HEALTH IT Amazon expanding Amazon Care telemedicine program nationally: 6 details Amazon is rolling out its virtual medical service Amazon Care for its employees in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., this summer, with plans to expand the offering to other employers later this year, according to a March 17 news release. 'We can't exist in a silo': How CVS Health is increasing EHR interoperability efforts CVS Health is doubling down on efforts to advance EHR interoperability and reduce alert fatigue for clinicians, according to the pharma giant's recent Health Trends 2021 report. 'It's too much fun not to': Hacker who exposed US hospitals' security cameras on inspiration behind attack Swiss authorities on March 12 raided the apartment of a hacker who claimed credit for breaching San Mateo, Calif.-based security camera company Verkada and accessing its live feeds of 150,000 surveillance cameras from hospitals and other companies, Bloomberg reports. AI vs. machine learning vs. algorithms: Providence exec explains the differences, their healthcare applications Digital tools are rapidly changing the way healthcare services are delivered, but technology jargon isn't always widely and accurately understood. Algorithms, artificial intelligence and machine learning are imperative to digitally transforming healthcare, but the differences between these three terms can be murky to some. Cerner finalizes Kantar Health acquisition for $375M: 5 things to know Cerner closed its acquisition of Kantar Health, the clinical research division of data and consulting company Kantar Group, for $375 million, the companies said April 1. CMO/CARE DELIVERY Top nursing priorities for spring 2021: 6 CNOs weigh in Six nursing leaders shared with Becker's what their No. 1 priority is for this spring. California sues largest US nursing home chain after exposé California prosecutors are suing the nation's largest chain of senior living communities, claiming Brentwood, Tenn.-based Brookdale Senior Living has manipulated Medicare's star-rating system, according to a March 15 news release. Spectrum Health ends probe of insensitive Instagram posts, takes 'corrective action' Spectrum Health said it has concluded its investigation and taken "corrective action" after photos taken in operating rooms accompanied by insensitive comments were posted to an Instagram account linked to 35 medical residents at the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based system. 10 top patient safety concerns for 2021, ranked by ECRI Racial disparities in health and healthcare earned the No. 1 spot on ECRI's list of the top 10 patient safety concerns for 2021. Physicians report 1st case of COVID-19 antibodies passed to child through birth COVID-19 antibodies were detected in a baby girl born to a mother who received her first dose of the Moderna vaccine three weeks before giving birth — the first reported case of antibodies being passed through birth, according to a case report recently published in the preprint server medRxiv. THOUGHT LEADERSHIP UnityPoint Health's CIO on staying inspired, tackling COVID-19 vaccination technology challenges Laura Smith has served as CIO of West Des Moines, Iowa-based UnityPoint Health since 2016, and she was promoted from vice president to senior vice president early this year. Becker's 11th Annual Meeting Speaker Series: 3 Questions with Peter Banko, President and Chief Executive Officer at Centura Health Peter Banko serves as President and Chief Executive Officer at Centura Health. Becker's 11th Annual Meeting Speaker Series: 3 Questions with Kevin Fleming, Chief Operating Officer of Clinical Program Services for Providence Kevin Fleming serves as Chief Operating Officer of Clinical Program Services for Providence. Tampa General CEO John Couris: No days off Sitting in Raymond James Stadium with my son, Ben, watching Tom Brady lead the Bucs to a Super Bowl victory felt like a full-circle moment for me. A lifelong Pats fan and Boston native, and now a proud Tampa resident and Bucs fan, I felt an overwhelming sense of joy and pride as I reflected over the 20 years of football moments that Ben and I have shared. Becker's 11th Annual Meeting Speaker Series: 3 Questions with Stephen Klasko, President and Chief Executive Officer at Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health Stephen Klasko, MD, MBA, serves as President and Chief Executive Officer at Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health.

Within every discipline in health care, there are landmark moments that change the priorities, expand the footprint, and demonstrate a new type of value.

What do new and smaller legal and claims departments face today? 

April 2021 Issue of Becker's Hospital Review ON THE COVER State-by-state breakdown of 897 hospitals at risk of closing More than 500 rural hospitals in the U.S. were at immediate risk of closure before the COVID-19 pandemic because of financial losses and lack of reserves to maintain operations, according to a report from the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform. 'Building authentic partnerships' + other strategies to lead mass vaccination events: 3 health systems weigh in Stadiums, racetracks and more — something health systems have become increasingly familiar with as they spearhead mass COVID-19 vaccination events. They've proved a successful model to quickly get shots in arms, but what does it take to hit the ground running with an effort of such scale? Yale economists: These 1% steps can reform healthcare A series of 1 percent solutions could collectively lower healthcare costs by hundreds of billions of dollars, according to an article published in Health Affairs. 11 numbers that show how big Optum's role in healthcare is Optum continues to expand, recently making headlines for its plans to acquire Change Healthcare for $13 billion. 22 US hospitals among Newsweek's 100 best in the world Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic was named the best hospital in the world in 2021 by Newsweek. 'Birthday rule' leaves parents with $270K hospital bill A little-known rule that stipulates a child born with double health insurance eligibility must be enrolled in the plan belonging to the parent whose birthday comes first in the calendar year can induce outrageously expensive bills for parents who are unaware of it, according to a Jan. 27 NPR report. Tennessee hospital abruptly closes Jellico (Tenn.) Medical Center closed March 1, days after the city council voted to send a contract termination notice to the hospital's operator, Rennova Health, according to TV station WBIR. Former Haven CEO Dr. Atul Gawande on what went wrong for the healthcare venture Haven, the healthcare partnership formed by Amazon, JPMorgan Chase and Berkshire Hathway, is disbanding less than three years after forming. Atul Gawande, MD, Haven's former CEO, explained why the venture wasn't set up to succeed in a discussion Feb. 26 with Robert Wachter, MD, chair of the University of California San Francisco's department of medicine. How hospitals are preparing for future public health crises The COVID-19 pandemic has tested hospitals' disaster preparedness plans and prompted them to assess crucial areas to prepare for future health crises. Some have strengthened partnerships with local organizations, invested in diagnostic testing platforms and updated workflows and oxygen infrastructure. 14 health systems team up on 'ethical innovation' with launch of provider-led data platform Fourteen health systems, including Trinity Health, Northwell Health and Tenet Health, are partnering to create a comprehensive, de-identified data platform that will glean more robust insights on medical conditions such as rare diseases and COVID-19. Sutter to cut 277 jobs, mostly in IT Sacramento, Calif.-based Sutter Health is laying off hundreds of employees, most of whom work in information technology, according to the Sacramento Business Journal. North Carolina hospital loses physicians after contract negotiations At least 55 physicians have decided to part ways with Asheville, N.C.-based Mission Health since it was acquired by Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare in February 2019, according to TV station WLOS. Northern California hospital CNO target of no-confidence petition A no-confidence petition on the performance of San Joaquin General Hospital CNO Belva Snyder, RN, was recently delivered to San Joaquin County supervisors and hospital CEO David Culberson by nurses at the French Camp, Calif.-based facility, California Nurses Association/National Nurses United said. Lisa Prasad One of the reasons Lisa Prasad, vice president and chief innovation officer at Detroit-based Henry Ford Health System, enjoys her job is that it presents "limitless" opportunities, with new challenges constantly emerging. Eduardo Conrado As executive vice president and chief strategy and innovation officer at St. Louis-based Ascension, Eduardo Conrado has led several tech-based initiatives over the past year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lorraine Lutton Lorraine Lutton joined Mount Carmel Health System as president and CEO in April 2020, near the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Brad Tinnermon Brad Tinnermon joined Phoenix-based Banner Health as vice president of revenue cycle management and revenue integrity in late 2017, before the organization launched its revenue cycle modernization and the COVID-19 pandemic began. Jenni Alvey The COVID-19 pandemic, due to its disruptive and enduring nature, has forced hospital CFOs to rethink the way we do our jobs. What became apparent is that CFOs must be more agile than ever in budgeting and planning. Rick Evans It is clear that the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged healthcare in almost every conceivable way. It has had a powerful impact on the key metrics of any healthcare organization. Quality, financial, employee engagement and patient experience metrics have all been affected in ways we are still trying to understand. Kara Martinezmoles Kara Martinezmoles serves as vice president of revenue cycle at Reno, Nev.-based Renown Health, and her healthcare leadership journey to get to that role has been shaped by various learning experiences and mentors. Stephen Klasko, MD We need a new, refreshing, ethical and ultimately empowering "marriage" of healthcare and technology. And we need it now. Nishant Anand, MD Nishant Anand, MD, FACEP, serves as President at BayCare Physician Partners and Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at BayCare Health System. Cynthia Moore-Hardy Cynthia Moore-Hardy has been able to live out her passion for improving community health during her decadeslong career at Lake Health in Concord Township, Ohio. CFO / FINANCE Baylor Scott & White to cut, outsource 1,700 jobs Dallas-based Baylor Scott & White Health will outsource, lay off or retrain 1,700 employees who work in information technology, billing, revenue cycle management and other support services, according to The Dallas Morning News. 'Birthday rule' leaves parents with $270K hospital bill A little-known rule that stipulates a child born with double health insurance eligibility must be enrolled in the plan belonging to the parent whose birthday comes first in the calendar year can induce outrageously expensive bills for parents who are unaware of it, according to a Jan. 27 NPR report. Billionaire buys SpaceX flight to raise $200M for St. Jude Billionaire tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman is chartering a rocket and spacecraft from SpaceX, and he is raffling off one of the seats with the goal of raising at least $200 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., according to The New York Times. CHS sheds 18 hospitals, swings to $511M profit Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems, which operates 85 hospitals in 16 states, saw revenues decline in 2020 but ended the period in the black. PE firm wants to sell its stake in a hospital chain, but Rhode Island is standing in its way Private equity firm Leonard Green & Partners is looking to sell its controlling stake in Los Angeles-based Prospect Medical Holdings, leaving it with $1.3 billion in financial obligations, according to ProPublica. While four states have approved the deal, Rhode Island has not. CEO/STRATEGY Former Haven CEO Dr. Atul Gawande on what went wrong for the healthcare venture Haven, the healthcare partnership formed by Amazon, JPMorgan Chase and Berkshire Hathway, is disbanding less than three years after forming. Atul Gawande, MD, Haven's former CEO, explained why the venture wasn't set up to succeed in a discussion Feb. 26 with Robert Wachter, MD, chair of the University of California San Francisco's department of medicine. Performance reviews 'more important than ever': 4 tips on addressing performance gaps Some managers may have put performance reviews to the side amid the pandemic, but Tom Gimbel, CEO of recruiting firm LaSalle Network, said they are more important than ever in a March 1 column published in The Wall Street Journal. 22 US hospitals among Newsweek's 100 best in the world Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic was named the best hospital in the world in 2021 by Newsweek. CEO confidence hits 17-year high: 4 takeaways CEOs are the most confident they have been since 2004, according to The Conference Board's "Measure of CEO Confidence" in the first quarter of 2021. Healthgrades' 50 top hospitals for 2021 Healthgrades released its 2021 America's Best Hospitals lists Feb. 9. WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP 'From almost no patients to a full hospital': How this physician investor revitalized a rural Oklahoma hospital The healthcare investment firm Rural Wellness Fairfax has invested $500,000 in facility and technology upgrades at Fairfax (Okla.) Community Hospital since buying the rural hospital for $2.1 million in March 2020. North Carolina health system CEO recipient of state's highest civilian award Kathy Bailey, president and CEO of Morganton, N.C.-based Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge, recently received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award — the state's highest civilian honor. Biden's pick to run CMS: 5 things to know about Chiquita Brooks-LaSure Chiquita Brooks-LaSure is President Joe Biden's pick to lead CMS, according to Politico, which cites four sources familiar with the decision. Health innovation insider: 7 rapid-fire Qs with Henry Ford Health System innovation chief Lisa Prasad One of the reasons Lisa Prasad, vice president and chief innovation officer at Detroit-based Henry Ford Health System, enjoys her job is that it presents "limitless" opportunities, with new challenges constantly emerging. Physician named first CMO of NYC health agency Michelle Morse, MD, has been tapped as the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's first chief medical officer. INNOVATION 14 health systems team up on 'ethical innovation' with launch of provider-led data platform Fourteen health systems, including Trinity Health, Northwell Health and Tenet Health, are partnering to create a comprehensive, de-identified data platform that will glean more robust insights on medical conditions such as rare diseases and COVID-19. Anthem creates digital health incubator: 3 notes Indianapolis-based payer Anthem recently established a new digital incubator focused on helping healthcare startups expand their business plans and innovations, according to a Jan. 28 Inside Indiana Business report. 20 medical apps most downloaded by iPhone users IPhone users have begun downloading more medical apps, as increased demands for convenience influence health technology companies to adapt their services into mobile apps. Amazon unveils design of HQ2 campus in Virginia Amazon introduced the design plans for its new second headquarters in Arlington, Va., on Feb. 2, signaling the retail giant's commitment to office workspaces, the Wall Street Journal reports. Former Cerner, Livongo exec Zane Burke joins health innovation startup Zane Burke, former CEO of Livongo Health and president of Cerner, has joined the board of directors for workers compensation digital health company Bardavon Health Innovations, according to a Feb. 3 news release. CIO/HEALTH IT GAO urges VA to pause $16B Cerner EHR rollout, cites need for 'critical tests' The Government Accountability Office is recommending the Department of Veterans Affairs pause the implementation of its $16 billion Cerner EHR system to perform "critical" tests before deploying the system at any additional facilities. Hackers publish thousands of patient records from Florida, Texas hospitals online Hackers have posted thousands of files containing protected health information of patients at Leon Medical Centers and Nocona General Hospital to the dark web, according to a Feb. 5 NBC News report. Sutter to cut 277 jobs, mostly in IT Sacramento, Calif.-based Sutter Health is laying off hundreds of employees, most of whom work in information technology, according to the Sacramento Business Journal. Athenahealth settles kickback allegations for $18M+ Watertown, Mass.-based Athenahealth agreed to pay $18.25 million to settle allegations it violated the False Claims Act by paying illegal kickbacks to sell its EHR products, according to a Jan. 28 Department of Justice news release. Bethesda Hospital employee fired for alleged EHR snooping, altering patient health order Bethesda Hospital, part of Coral Gables, Fla.-based Baptist Health, said it recently terminated an employee for accessing patients' medical records and altering a home care patient's health order. CMO/CARE DELIVERY 3 nurses sue Pennsylvania hospitals over alleged 'no-poach' deal Three registered nurses have sued Geisinger and Evangelical Community Hospital, alleging the Pennsylvania hospitals had a secret "no-poach agreement" that suppressed healthcare wages in the region, according to court documents. Washington physician charged with unprofessional conduct after patient dies The Washington state Department of Health has charged a physician with unprofessional conduct after he allegedly failed to test a patient for heart problems, and the patient died days later of cardiac arrest, according to the Tri-City Herald. North Carolina hospital loses physicians after contract negotiations At least 55 physicians have decided to part ways with Asheville, N.C.-based Mission Health since it was acquired by Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare in February 2019, according to TV station WLOS. Avoid painkillers before getting COVID-19 vaccine, experts say People should avoid taking pain relievers such as ibuprofen right before getting a COVID-19 vaccine, which may affect the body's immune response, experts told USA Today. Saliva test may predict COVID-19 severity, Yale researchers say Saliva tests are not only a less invasive way to screen for COVID-19, but could also be a predictor of which patients will develop severe cases, according to research from the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn. THOUGHT LEADERSHIP 'Sit at the next table up': Mount Carmel CEO Lorraine Lutton's advice for developing leaders Lorraine Lutton joined Mount Carmel Health System as president and CEO in April 2020, near the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. How Banner Health modernized its revenue cycle Brad Tinnermon joined Phoenix-based Banner Health as vice president of revenue cycle management and revenue integrity in late 2017, before the organization launched its revenue cycle modernization and the COVID-19 pandemic began. Staying agile: A key to financial planning during a crisis The COVID-19 pandemic, due to its disruptive and enduring nature, has forced hospital CFOs to rethink the way we do our jobs. What became apparent is that CFOs must be more agile than ever in budgeting and planning. NewYork-Presbyterian CXO Rick Evans: How do you maintain patient experience during the pandemic? It is clear that the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged healthcare in almost every conceivable way. It has had a powerful impact on the key metrics of any healthcare organization. Quality, financial, employee engagement and patient experience metrics have all been affected in ways we are still trying to understand. Renown Health's Kara Martinezmoles on her leadership journey, revenue cycle goals and inspirationsKara Martinezmoles serves as vice president of revenue cycle at Reno, Nev.-based Renown Health, and her healthcare leadership journey to get to that role has been shaped by various learning experiences and mentors.

As the healthcare industry manages through the COVID-19 pandemic and continues the transition to value-based care, health systems are looking for additional opportunities to improve margin. 

March/April 2021 Issue of Becker's Clinical Leadership & Infection Control  ON THE COVER Why side effects are more common with 2nd COVID-19 shot: 5 notes Side effects appear to be more common after the second dose for both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. 10 best paying locations for nurses The median salary for registered nurses in the U.S. was $73,300 in 2019, according to U.S. News & World Report. NewYork-Presbyterian CXO Rick Evans: How do you maintain patient experience during the pandemic? It is clear that the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged healthcare in almost every conceivable way. It has had a powerful impact on the key metrics of any healthcare organization. Quality, financial, employee engagement and patient experience metrics have all been affected in ways we are still trying to understand. How 3 health systems are handling discharges during the pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic has forced healthcare leaders nationwide to rethink how their organizations approach safe discharges, as virus-related visitor restrictions mean many family members cannot be at the patient's bedside to hear discharge instructions. Cedars-Sinai opens COVID-19 recovery program Los Angeles-based Cedars-Sinai Medical Group launched a COVID-19 Recovery Program to treat patients cleared of the novel virus who still have lingering symptoms weeks or months later, according to a Jan. 26 news release. Johns Hopkins shares proposal for equitable vaccine distribution Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University has released a proposal meant to guide officials working to advance equity in the COVID-19 vaccination rollout. Physician viewpoint: Hospital-acquired COVID-19 is rampant, but facilities aren't sounding the alarm Hospitals must adopt rapid, frequent COVID-19 testing for staff to protect patients from hospital-acquired COVID-19, Manoj Jain, MD, an infectious disease consultant for several hospitals in Memphis, Tenn., wrote in a Jan. 21 op-ed published in The Washington Post. Focus on COVID-19 facilitated spread of drug-resistant infections, experts say The reuse of personal protective equipment in healthcare settings amid COVID-19 likely allowed drug-resistant infections to spread easier, The New York Times reported Jan. 27. Physicians see spike in rare inflammatory condition linked to COVID-19 Physicians are reporting a significant uptick in cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, a rare inflammatory condition potentially linked to COVID-19, reports The New York Times. Current systolic blood pressure guideline too high for women, study suggests Women have a lower normal blood pressure range than men, according to new research from the Cedars-Sinai Smidt Heart Institute in Los Angeles. Current blood pressure guidelines do not account for these differences and therefore may put women at higher risk of cardiovascular disease, researchers said. COVID-19 might be triggering new-onset diabetes, researchers say New-onset diabetes could be another complication added to the list of health problems associated with COVID-19, The Washington Post reported Feb. 1. Woman dies 2 months after contracting COVID-19 from donor lungs A woman with chronic obstructive lung disease contracted COVID-19 from a pair of donor lungs and died 61 days after the transplant — the first confirmed donor-to-recipient transmission of COVID-19 in the U.S., according to a case report published Feb. 10 in the American Journal of Transplantation. Widow inspires Renown Health hospitals to lift visitor restrictions for COVID-19 patients Reno, Nev.-based Renown Health said it has lifted visitor restrictions and is encouraging limited visitors for patients, including those with COVID-19. 14 health systems team up on 'ethical innovation' with launch of provider-led data platform Fourteen health systems, including Trinity Health, Northwell Health and Tenet Health, are partnering to create a comprehensive, de-identified data platform that will glean more robust insights on medical conditions such as rare diseases and COVID-19. Physician viewpoint: Hospital-acquired COVID-19 is rampant, but facilities aren't sounding the alarm Hospitals must adopt rapid, frequent COVID-19 testing for staff to protect patients from hospital-acquired COVID-19, Manoj Jain, MD, an infectious disease consultant for several hospitals in Memphis, Tenn., wrote in a Jan. 21 op-ed published in The Washington Post. INFECTION CONTROL Many clinicians in endoscopy units lack formal reprocessing training, study suggests Few nurses or endoscopy technicians undergo formal training on infection control and reprocessing before joining endoscopy units, according to a study published in the American Journal of Infection Control. California nursing home fined $59K for not properly protecting staff from COVID-19 Fremont (Calif.) Healthcare Center was fined $59,000 by California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health for not properly protecting its staff from COVID-19, reports Mercury News. Young, middle-aged adults biggest COVID-19 spreaders, study finds As of October 2020, the majority of U.S. COVID-19 infections originated from people between the ages of 20 and 49, according to a report published Feb. 3 in Science Magazine. 1 vaccine dose may be sufficient for COVID-19 survivors, early research suggests Some people who have experienced symptomatic COVID-19 infections have reported intense side effects after one vaccine dose, leading researchers to believe two doses may not be necessary, reports The New York Times. Massachusetts allows 'companion' vaccinations, prompts outpouring of volunteers Massachusetts updated its COVID-19 vaccine eligibility rules Feb. 10, allowing companions of people age 75 or older visiting mass vaccination sites to also receive the vaccine. Now, some residents are turning to Craigslist to try to take advantage of the program, Gov. Charlie Baker told CBS Boston. PATIENT SAFETY & OUTCOMES Heart failure drug may treat cardiac condition linked to COVID-19, study says Ivabradine, a drug used for heart failure, improved symptoms associated with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, a condition that causes rapid heart rate and lightheadedness, according to research published Feb. 15 in Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Many cancer survivors have underlying conditions that can worsen COVID-19 infection, study finds About 56 percent of cancer survivors have an underlying medical condition associated with increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness, a study published Feb. 3 in Journal of the National Cancer Institute found. Cervical cancer screenings fell 80% during California's stay-at-home order, CDC finds Cervical cancer screening rates dropped substantially at Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente's Southern California division after the state implemented a stay-at-home order last spring, the CDC said in a Jan. 29 report. World's 1st successful face, double hand transplant competed at NYU Langone NYU Langone Health performed the world's first successful face and double hand transplant on a 22-year-old patient in August, the health system announced in a Feb. 3 news release. Cedars-Sinai opens COVID-19 recovery program Los Angeles-based Cedars-Sinai Medical Group launched a COVID-19 Recovery Program to treat patients cleared of the novel virus who still have lingering symptoms weeks or months later, according to a Jan. 26 news release. PATIENT & CAREGIVER EXPERIENCE Limiting workers' inhalation of COVID-19 virus must be top Biden priority, experts tell CDC A group of physicians and scientists is calling on the CDC to do more to address inhalation exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and protect workers in high-risk settings, including hospitals. 31% of nurses cite burnout as reason for leaving job Nearly one-third of nurses reported leaving their jobs because of burnout in 2018, representing the most recent national estimates, according to a study published Feb. 4 in JAMA Network Open. 10 best paying cities, states for physicians Being a physician is one of the top jobs in the U.S., with a median salary of $206,500 in 2019, according to a U.S. News & World report. 36% of US adults have skipped, delayed care during pandemic, report finds More than one-third of adults in the U.S. have skipped or delayed necessary medical care due to fear of COVID-19 exposure and limited care access during the pandemic, according to research funded by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Intermountain changes mammogram guidelines for women who get COVID-19 vaccine Intermountain Healthcare has updated its mammography guidelines for women who plan to or have already received a COVID-19 vaccine, the health system said Feb. 9. QUALITY IMPROVEMENT & MEASUREMENT Johns Hopkins shares proposal for equitable vaccine distribution Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University has released a proposal meant to guide officials working to advance equity in the COVID-19 vaccination rollout. Dartmouth-Hitchcock creates postpartum screening program Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center has launched a postpartum depression screening program for new mothers, the Lebanon, N.H.-based system said Feb. 16. CDC: Mask mandates associated with decreased COVID-19 hospitalizations COVID-19 hospitalizations dropped significantly in states with mask mandates in the weeks after implementing the statewide order, according to the CDC's Feb. 5 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Schizophrenia 2nd greatest risk factor for COVID-19 death, study finds People with schizophrenia are nearly three times more likely to die from COVID-19 than those without the psychiatric condition, according to a study published Jan. 27 in JAMA Psychiatry. Asthma drug reduces risk of COVID-19 hospitalization by 90%, study suggests Inhaled budesonide, a drug commonly used to treat asthma, reduced the risk of urgent care or hospitalization for COVID-19 patients by 90 percent, according to a recent University of Oxford study. DATA ANALYTICS & INFORMATICS How to better understand COVID-19 data, per 3 hospital CIOs Many Americans report being confused by the surplus of COVID-19 data being disseminated, while lags in data reporting and drastic fluctuations can lead to skepticism about the statistics' meaning and weight. HCA taps AHRQ, Johns Hopkins & more for new COVID-19 data research consortium Nashville-based HCA Healthcare established a COVID-19 data research initiative Jan. 26 focused on improving hospital care and public knowledge on the novel coronavirus alongside partners including Johns Hopkins and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. 'We're fighting COVID one-handed': 2 Mass General physicians on the need to strengthen data systems While the U.S. continues its widespread COVID-19 vaccination effort, there is still an urgent need to track virus transmission and strengthen national public health data systems to contain the spread, according to Louise Ivers, MD, and Wilfredo Matias, MD. Google search activity can help predict COVID-19 outbreaks, studies show Researchers are examining Google search data's potential to predict COVID-19 outbreaks so hospitals and public health departments can better anticipate case surges. UC Health, California health department to roll out COVID-19 data modeling system University of California Health and the California Department of Public Health will launch a data modeling consortium to help hospital administrators and public health officials make decisions based on timely, accurate insights.

COVID-19 sped up digital transformation by several years, a McKinsey & Company analysis found. Now, as healthcare organizations determine their digital path forward, leaders must consider: “What are the right areas for digital investment—and how can we drive value?” 

March 2021 Issue of Becker's Hospital Review ON THE COVER 14 highest-paid healthcare jobs in 2021 Fourteen of the 25 highest-paying jobs in 2021 are in healthcare, according to U.S. News & World Report's Best Job rankings released Jan. 12. Most successful vaccine rollouts in US: 4 state strategies States are rushing to administer the COVID-19 vaccines as fast as possible, and some states have been more successful than others. When will smell, taste come back? 5 COVID-19 questions answered Temporary loss of smell, known as anosmia, is a commonly reported indicator of COVID-19. Cleveland Clinic changes mission statement "Caring for life, researching for health and educating those who serve" is the mission statement Cleveland Clinic intends to use for the next 100 years, CEO and President Tom Mihaljevic, MD, said Jan. 13. 4 leadership changes CEOs made during the pandemic Many CEOs have changed their leadership strategy in four crucial ways that have positively impacted their organizations during the pandemic, though it's unclear whether those changes will remain after COVID-19 has subsided, according to a McKinsey & Co. article. Tenet must pay whistleblowing cardiologists $10M, court rules Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare must pay two cardiologists who filed a False Claims Act lawsuit $10 million and reinstate their medical staff privileges for one year, a Michigan federal court ruled Feb. 1, according to Bloomberg Law. The most, least expensive states for an ER visit New Jersey hospitals charge the most for a moderate-severity emergency room visit requiring a single surgery, according to data from Hospital Pricing Specialists provided to Becker's Hospital review. Optum expects to add 10,000 physicians this year OptumCare, the part of UnitedHealth Group that provides direct patient care, plans on adding thousands of physicians in the next year, UnitedHealth's CEO said during a Jan. 20 earnings call. Delta taps Mayo Clinic exec to oversee airline's healthcare strategy Delta Air Lines has appointed a Mayo Clinic executive to serve as its first chief health officer. Are proposed HIPAA changes good for healthcare? 3 hospital execs weigh in While the recently proposed HHS updates to the HIPAA Privacy Rule aim to help patients get more digital access to their health information, some of the proposed changes pose concerns for healthcare providers. 20 things to know about Allscripts, Cerner, Epic, Meditech heading into 2021 Allscripts, Cerner, Epic and Meditech are four of the biggest EHR vendors for hospitals and health systems across the U.S. Rhode Island physician deliberately exposed patients, staff to COVID-19, health director finds Rhode Island Department of Health Director Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, has ordered an emergency suspension of a physician's license after investigators determined he deliberately exposed clinic staff and patients to COVID-19 and presented a danger to the public, according to The Providence Journal. 29 best healthcare jobs, per US News: Physician assistant is No. 1 Physician assistant is the best healthcare job for 2021, with 39,300 projected jobs and a median salary of $112,260, according to a U.S. News & World Report list released Jan. 12. Howard Kern In 2018, Norfolk, Va.-based Sentara Healthcare was named one of five large health systems in the Top 15 Health Systems in the U.S. by IBM Watson Health. Our recognition as a top-performing health system came after we began to understand the importance of delivering highly reliable quality care and a consistently high rate of improvement across our entire health system. Claus Torp Jensen, PhD Claus Torp Jensen, PhD, leads Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center's digital transformation and data strategies at time when innovations are rapidly accelerating in wake of COVID-19. Matt Runyan Matt Runyan, CIO and vice president of IT at Oceanside, N.Y.-based Mount Sinai South Nassau, is splitting his time to make sure the COVID-19 vaccination process runs smoothly at the hospital while maintaining testing sites. Daniel Feinberg, MD Daniel Feinberg, MD, chief medical officer of Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Hospital, sees the CMO role becoming more operational in the next few years. Joel Klein, MD Joel Klein, MD, senior vice president and CIO of University of Maryland Medical System, joined the Becker's Healthcare Podcast to share his key priorities in the coming year and discuss the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Michael Dowling Hardly one month into 2021, the pressing priorities facing healthcare leaders are abundantly clear. Greg Hoffman Greg Hoffman took over as interim CFO of Renton, Wash.-based Providence health system in August and  was named to the position permanently in January. Denise Brooks-Williams For two years, Denise Brooks-Williams has served as senior vice president and CEO of Detroit-based Henry Ford Health System's north market, the first person in this role. CFO / FINANCE Tenet must pay whistleblowing cardiologists $10M, court rules Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare must pay two cardiologists who filed a False Claims Act lawsuit $10 million and reinstate their medical staff privileges for one year, a Michigan federal court ruled Feb. 1, according to Bloomberg Law. Heights Hospital in Houston closes over unpaid rent Physicians and patients were locked out of Heights Hospital in Houston on Jan. 18 after its management failed to pay rent, according to a notice posted on the door of the building. Inspector general urges CMS to take action against 100 'error-prone' providers CMS should take action against 100 healthcare providers who had high rates of improper Medicare payments, the HHS Office of Inspector General said in a report released Jan. 19. The most, least expensive states for an ER visit New Jersey hospitals charge the most for a moderate-severity emergency room visit requiring a single surgery, according to data from Hospital Pricing Specialists provided to Becker's Hospital Review. CommonSpirit to sell 14 hospitals to Essentia HealthFourteen hospitals owned by Chicago-based CommonSpirit Health could join Duluth, Minn.-based Essentia Health as early as this summer. CEO/STRATEGY Glassdoor: Best places to work in healthcare for 2021 Glassdoor released its list of "Best Places to Work" in 2021, and 18 hospitals, health systems and healthcare companies made the list. Hospitals questioned for including board members in 1st rounds of COVID-19 vaccines In some instances, hospital board members and trustees have received the COVID-19 vaccine alongside front-line workers, raising questions about whether some systems are following guidelines for distribution. Healthcare execs, physicians pardoned by Trump Healthcare executives convicted of fraud were among the 143 people who received pardons or sentence commutations from former President Donald Trump on Jan. 20, his last day in office. Ex-Broward Health exec facing bribery, money-laundering charges A former executive at Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Broward Health is facing charges of bribery and money-laundering, according to an indictment made public last week. Cleveland Clinic changes mission statement "Caring for life, researching for health and educating those who serve" is the mission statement Cleveland Clinic intends to use for the next 100 years, CEO and President Tom Mihaljevic, MD, said Jan. 13. WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP Psychologist sues, claims Maine hospital paid her half of male colleagues' salary A clinical psychologist at Northern Light Acadia Hospital in Bangor, Maine, says she earned $50 an hour compared to the $90 and $95 hourly earnings of her two male colleagues, according to the Bangor Daily News. What Dr. Rochelle Walensky said on her first day as CDC director Rochelle Walensky, MD, said on her first day as the new CDC director that she is proud to join the agency, and also recognizes the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic. Former employee sues Alliance Healthcare Services over claims of unequal pay, whistleblower retaliation A former account executive claims Irvine, Calif.-based Alliance Healthcare Services fired her after she requested to reduce her hours to accommodate breast cancer treatment demands and raised concerns that she was not paid equitably compared to her male colleagues, according to a lawsuit filed against the healthcare services provider. How leadership criteria leaves out women of color Current conceptions of leadership often exclude women of color from positions of power in organizations, but this issue can be remedied given the right steps, according to a Harvard Business Review article. How supporting gender equity benefits organizations Not only is fighting for gender equity a moral imperative, it's also a competitive boon for organizations, according to a Harvard Business Review article. INNOVATION Health innovation insider: 7 rapid-fire Qs with Memorial Sloan Kettering digital chief Dr. Claus Torp Jensen Claus Torp Jensen, PhD, leads Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center's digital transformation and data strategies at time when innovations are rapidly accelerating in wake of COVID-19. 4 tools to predict COVID-19 death risk, place on vaccine waitlist & more Throughout the pandemic, healthcare and tech organizations have been creating interactive tools to help individuals predict their likelihood of contracting COVID-19 or even dying from the virus. BayCare to equip 2,500 hospital rooms with Amazon Alexa-powered platform: 6 details Clearwater, Fla.-based BayCare Health System is deploying Amazon Alexa devices in 2,500 rooms across its 14 hospitals. UPMC innovation arm spins out data analytics company: 4 details Pittsburgh-based UPMC Enterprises, the innovation and commercialization arm of UPMC, has incubated and launched a digital healthcare quality company that uses natural language processing and data analytics to improve value-based care. CVS Health launches voice-powered home care monitoring platform: 4 things to know CVS Health has launched a new medical alert system designed to protect seniors living at home, the company said Jan. 14. CIO/HEALTH IT The next evolution of EHRs: What to expect in 2021 and beyond EHRs have become an integral part of the healthcare delivery system in the past decade and will continue to evolve in the coming years to alleviate the tech burden on healthcare providers and add to the clinical decision-making process. MD Anderson avoids $4.3M HIPAA penalty The U.S. Court of Appeals on Jan. 14 vacated University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center's $4.3 million HIPAA fine for losing more than 35,000 patients' protected health information. Cerner shakes up C-suite as 2 execs depart Cerner's Executive Vice President and Chief Client and Services Officer John Peterzalek and Chief Legal Officer Randy Sims are leaving the Kansas City, Mo.-based EHR company, according to a Jan. 15 announcement from CEO Brent Shafer shared with Becker's. Excellus BCBS pays $5.1M to settle data breach affecting 9.3 million people Excellus BlueCross BlueShield agreed to pay the Office for Civil Rights $5.1 million to settle potential HIPAA violations related to a data breach, HHS said Jan. 15. 'This discovery is a little disturbing': Centura Health data reports miss 2,500 COVID-19 hospitalizations since April Centennial, Colo.-based Centura Health failed to report almost 2,500 COVID-19 hospitalizations dating back to last April because of a system coding issue, according to a Jan. 8 The Journal report. CMO/CARE DELIVERY When will smell, taste come back? 5 COVID-19 questions answered Temporary loss of smell, known as anosmia, is a commonly reported indicator of COVID-19. 76% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients have symptoms for 6 months, study finds Many hospitalized COVID-19 patients may experience symptoms for up to six months, according to a study published Jan. 8 in The Lancet. Rhode Island physician deliberately exposed patients, staff to COVID-19, health director finds Rhode Island Department of Health Director Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, has ordered an emergency suspension of a physician's license after investigators determined he deliberately exposed clinic staff and patients to COVID-19 and presented a danger to the public, according to The Providence Journal. St. Peter's oncologist incorrectly treated patient for lung cancer for 11 years, hospital says Helena, Mont.-based St. Peter's Health claims a former oncologist at the health system incorrectly treated a patient for lung cancer for 11 years when, at the time of the patient's death, it was determined they did not have the disease, the Independent Record reported Jan. 20. CDC: Tight-fitting masks, two masks maximize protection against infectious aerosols Double masking or knotting and tucking a single medical procedure mask helps prevent air leakage and improve mask performance, according to the CDC's Feb. 10 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. THOUGHT LEADERSHIP Pennsylvania Hospital CMO Dr. Daniel Feinberg's advice for aspiring physician leaders Daniel Feinberg, MD, chief medical officer of Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Hospital, sees the CMO role becoming more operational in the next few years. AI in healthcare in 2021: What should CIOs expect? Joel Klein, MD, senior vice president and CIO of University of Maryland Medical System, joined the Becker's Healthcare Podcast to share his key priorities in the coming year and discuss the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Michael Dowling: No one said it would be easy Hardly one month into 2021, the pressing priorities facing healthcare leaders are abundantly clear. Providence CFO Greg Hoffman's 2021 focuses for spending, investments Greg Hoffman took over as interim CFO of Renton, Wash.-based Providence health system in August and  was named to the position permanently in January. Corner Office: Henry Ford Health System exec says she's driven by golden rule For two years, Denise Brooks-Williams has served as senior vice president and CEO of Detroit-based Henry Ford Health System's north market, the first person in this role.

January/February 2021 Issue of Becker's Clinical Leadership & Infection Control  ON THE COVER The evolution of COVID-19: 4 leaders talk symptoms, treatment & clinical trends As the U.S. enters winter, four clinical leaders reflected on COVID-19 patients, symptoms and clinical trends. From the COVID-19 front lines: What healthcare workers want their leaders to know During the pandemic, healthcare workers have been on the front lines providing care to patients with and without the virus. They have shown up ready to work, while navigating changing state and federal guidelines, as well as concerns about getting sick or infecting their loved ones. Safeguarding nurses' well-being is 'nonnegotiable': 6 leaders on supporting nurses through COVID-19 + beyond The COVID-19 pandemic has presented health systems with the ultimate balancing act: Care for an influx of patients and ensure nurses and front-line staff are adequately supported, all amid staffing and personal protective equipment shortages. COVID-19 pandemic 'not necessarily the big one,' top WHO official says COVID-19 has infected at least 81 million people and killed more than 1.7 million worldwide. While the toll of this pandemic has been severe, it is "not necessarily the big one," a top World Health Organization official warned this week, according to The New York Times. Clinical priorities and predictions for 2021: 4 CMOs weigh in Becker's talked to four clinical leaders about priorities, expectations and predictions for the upcoming year. Staff meal breaks in the COVID-19 era: How 5 systems are limiting infection risks Meal breaks offer healthcare workers crucial time to eat and reenergize amid a hectic shift. But in the era of COVID-19, meal breaks may also pose an infection risk, as staff members must take their masks or respirators off to eat. Break room or cafeteria space may also be limited, making it difficult for employees to maintain appropriate social distancing. 10 top patient safety issues for 2021 The Becker's Clinical Leadership & Infection Control editorial team chose the following 10 patient safety issues for healthcare leaders to prioritize in 2021, presented below in no particular order, based on news, study findings and trends reported in the past year. Healthcare-associated infections on rise amid pandemic, experts say Many infection preventionists said they've seen an uptick in healthcare-associated infections at their facilities since the pandemic's start, according to a Dec. 3 survey from the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. 5 things we still don't know about COVID-19 Scientists have already learned an extraordinary amount about COVID-19 in the one year since its emergence, but there's still a lot we don't know. Racial bias in pulse oximeters may put Black patients at risk Pulse oximeters were more often less reliable in Black patients than white patients, according to a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine Dec.17. Where are the 29 Leapfrog straight-'A' hospitals? The Leapfrog Group released its fall 2020 Hospital Safety Grades Dec. 14, assigning "A" through "F" letter grades to more than 2,600 acute care hospitals for patient safety performance. How Providence will bring remote employees back to the office post-COVID As COVID-19 spread across the U.S. early this year, hospitals and health systems adjusted their workforce. Many administrative workers who could work from home were instructed to do so, and they have remained remote. COVID-19 viral load could help physicians predict illness severity COVID-19 viral loads could be a useful indicator of which patients may need higher levels of care, The New York Times reports. Beaumont adds 3 physicians to board after negative staff surveys Southfield, Mich.-based Beaumont Health has added three physicians to its board of directors. INFECTION CONTROL Drug-resistant infection spiked at New Jersey hospital amid first COVID-19 surge, CDC finds Between February and July, 34 patients at a New Jersey hospital acquired carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumanni infection or colonization, according to the CDC's Dec. 1 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The bacteria can lead to pneumonia and wound, blood stream and urinary tract infections. Healthcare-associated infections on rise amid pandemic, experts say Many infection preventionists said they've seen an uptick in healthcare-associated infections at their facilities since the pandemic's start, according to a Dec. 3 survey from the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. Babies born via C-section at higher risk for infections, study suggests Infants born via Cesarean section may be at higher risk of developing infections that require hospitalization, according to a study published in PLOS Medicine. Michigan hospital employees exposed to COVID-19 told to come to work if asymptomatic Several Michigan health systems have told employees that if they had close or household contact with someone who has COVID-19, they are still expected to report to work until they get their test results, according to the Detroit Free Press. Strained Wisconsin hospitals asking staff to return to work during quarantine Many hospitals in Wisconsin are having workers who were exposed to COVID-19 return to their jobs during their quarantine period due to staffing shortages, said Wisconsin Department of Health Services CMO Ryan Westergaard, MD, PhD, during a Dec. 1 media briefing. PATIENT SAFETY 10 top patient safety issues for 2021 The Becker's Clinical Leadership & Infection Control editorial team chose the following 10 patient safety issues for healthcare leaders to prioritize in 2021, presented below in no particular order, based on news, study findings and trends reported in the past year. Safety board halts high-dose blood thinner trial for severe COVID-19 patients A safety board temporarily halted a clinical trial that uses high-dose blood thinners in severe COVID-19 patients due to potential harm, reports The New York Times. St. Peter's oncologist was removed for harming patients, CEO says Helena, Mont.-based St. Peter's Health removed longtime oncologist Tom Weiner, MD, after learning that the physician had been harming patients for years, CEO Wade Johnson wrote in a letter to the Independent Record. 7 patient safety goals for 2021 from Joint Commission The Joint Commission recently shared seven patient safety goals for hospitals to focus on in 2021. Moderate sleep loss boosts risk of medical errors 53%, study finds Even moderate levels of sleep deprivation among physicians can cause a significant increase in the risk of medical errors, a study published Dec. 7 in JAMA Network Open found. PATIENT & CAREGIVER EXPERIENCE California nurses struggle as nurse-to-patient ratios stretched amid COVID-19 surge California is currently the only state with a nurse-to-patient ratio law, but a spike in COVID-19 patients led Gov. Gavin Newsom to relax the law earlier this month. Now, nurses are scrambling to care for more patients, reports NPR. 5 ways to engage men in their own health Men are more likely to experience negative outcomes or complications from a number of procedures and conditions compared to women, creating a large window of opportunity for health systems to improve men's health engagement, according to a Nov. 18 Healthgrades report. Athletes' rapid COVID-19 testing is a luxury most nurses lack Most professional and collegiate athletes have access to rapid COVID-19 testing, while some frontline healthcare workers have never been tested during the pandemic, reports The Washington Post. Hospital workers upset over COVID-19 vaccine distribution While COVID-19 vaccine rollout has gone smoothly at many healthcare organizations, physicians and nurses at hospitals in Arizona, California, New York and elsewhere say vaccine distribution at their facilities has been chaotic and unfair, according to NPR. 'A quiet growing epidemic': Violence against healthcare workers has persisted for years unresolved Nurses and healthcare workers have been spotlighted as heroes throughout the pandemic, but they've been susceptible to workplace violence and abuse for years with little done to prevent it, a Dec. 10 investigation from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel found. QUALITY IMPROVEMENT & MEASUREMENT COVID-19 viral load could help physicians predict illness severity COVID-19 viral loads could be a useful indicator of which patients may need higher levels of care, The New York Times reports. Childhood sepsis deadlier for Black patients, study finds Black children with sepsis are more likely to die than white or Hispanic kids, a study published Dec. 14 in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health found. Hospital alert system identifies at-risk patients, lowers mortality, study finds Patients who were monitored with a real-time alert system had a 16 percent lower mortality rate compared to patients who were not monitored, according to research published Nov. 11 in The New England Journal of Medicine. Black COVID-19 patients face lower death risk than white patients after hospitalization, study finds While Black patients were more likely to test positive for COVID-19 than white patients at NYU Langone Health this spring, they had a lower risk of death and severe illness after hospitalization, according to a study published Dec. 4 in JAMA Network Open. New C. diff guidelines a boon to predicting patient death risk, study finds In 2017, two organizations updated national guidelines for treating and diagnosing Clostridioides difficile infection. New research published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases validates these guideline changes, suggesting they nearly doubled hospitals' ability to predict C. difficile mortality. CLINICAL LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT Clinical priorities and predictions for 2021: 4 CMOs weigh in Becker's talked to four clinical leaders about priorities, expectations and predictions for the upcoming year. Nurses: The most trusted professionals in AmericaAmericans rated nurses as the most honest and ethical professionals for the 19th consecutive year, according to an annual Gallup poll. Rhode Island hospital to be led by nurse promoted from within for first time The Miriam Hospital in Providence, R.I., has promoted chief nursing executive Maria Ducharme, DNP, RN, to president. Memorial Sloan Kettering paid $1.5M severance to CMO forced out over disclosure failures Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has paid more than $1.5 million in severance to its former CMO, who resigned in 2018 after he did not disclose financial ties to healthcare companies in research papers he authored, according to The New York Times. CMO to leave Georgia hospital after 3 decades Steven Kitchen, MD, is retiring as CMO of Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, Ga., hospital officials said.

Cepheid develops, manufactures, and markets industry-leading molecular diagnostic tests and test systems.

February 2021 Issue of Becker's Hospital Review ON THE COVER Where are the 29 Leapfrog straight-'A' hospitals? The Leapfrog Group released its fall 2020 Hospital Safety Grades Dec. 14, assigning "A" through "F" letter grades to more than 2,600 acute care hospitals for patient safety performance. Hospital workers upset over COVID-19 vaccine distribution While COVID-19 vaccine rollout has gone smoothly at many healthcare organizations, physicians and nurses at hospitals in Arizona, California, New York and elsewhere say vaccine distribution at their facilities has been chaotic and unfair, according to NPR. Why pay for public hospital CEOs is kept secret in Indiana Public employees are typically required to disclose their taxpayer-funded salaries, but executives of county hospitals in Indiana can keep their pay secret because of a rare exemption added to state law in 2016, according to the Indianapolis Star. The average cost of a hospital COVID-19 test in each state The cost of getting a standard COVID-19 test at hospitals varies drastically by state, according to a nationwide study conducted by Hospital Pricing Specialists. From the COVID-19 front lines: What healthcare workers want their leaders to know During the pandemic, healthcare workers have been on the front lines providing care to patients with and without the virus. They have shown up ready to work, while navigating changing state and federal guidelines, as well as concerns about getting sick or infecting their loved ones. Baylor Scott & White to lay off 102 employees, outsource jobs to India Dallas-based Baylor Scott & White Health said it will lay off 102 employees in finance and accounting roles as part of an effort to reshape operations and reduce costs, according to The Dallas Morning News. OIG tags Kansas hospital for erroneous billing Providence Medical Center, a community hospital in Kansas City, Kan., failed to comply with Medicare billing requirements for 13 of 100 inpatient and outpatient claims reviewed by HHS' Office of Inspector General, according to an OIG report released Dec. 18. South Carolina hospital CEO says Leapfrog is 'increasingly irrelevant,' disputes failing safety grade The Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg, S.C., was one of 16 hospitals to receive a failing grade from the Leapfrog Group in its Fall 2020 Safety Grades. The hospital's interim CEO Kirk Wilson says ratings from the Leapfrog Group are becoming "increasingly irrelevant," according to The Times and Democrat. 3 reasons Haven failed: A former healthcare CEO's take There are three main reasons Haven, the healthcare venture formed by Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan Chase, failed, according to a Jan. 5 Harvard Business Review article. 15 innovation leaders' most interesting thoughts on health IT in 2020 The pandemic has spurred innovation in the health IT space during 2020, as hospitals and health systems find new ways to optimize workflows, use data to improve care delivery and connect patients to healthcare providers virtually. How hospitals use algorithms to prioritize COVID-19 vaccine distribution Hospitals and health systems across the U.S. developed plans to prioritize COVID-19 vaccine distribution based on the CDC's recommendations. New York hospital fires employee for refusing flu shot Glens Falls (N.Y.) Hospital fired longtime employee Lisa Amorosi Dec. 1 for refusing to get a flu shot after citing bad reactions from past flu vaccines, The Post Star reports. COVID-19 'long haulers' identify 205 virus symptoms Researchers have identified more than 200 long-term symptoms that can affect COVID-19 "long haulers," or people who experience prolonged effects from the virus, according to a survey published Dec. 24 in the medical preprint server medRxiv. Stephen Klasko, MD Stephen Klasko, MD, has led Philadelphia-based Thomas Jefferson University as president and Jefferson Health as CEO since 2013. Rita Khan Since joining Mayo Clinic in December 2019 as its first chief digital officer, Rita Khan has been leading the health system's COVID-19 digital health initiatives from telehealth expansion to data mapping and consumer engagement. Kimberly Scaccia Kimberly Scaccia began as vice president of revenue cycle at Mercyhealth last March, and she has helped the health system navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, while striving to motivate, inspire and listen to members of her team. Rick Evans As I write during this holiday season, we are seeing COVID-19 cases rise in the city and much more significantly in other parts of the country. We are facing down this fierce surge — by far the worst nationally in the pandemic — even as we look forward to the arrival of the first vaccine. Robert Glenning Robert "Bob" Glenning serves as the president of the financial services division and CFO at Edison, N.J.-based Hackensack Meridian Health, an integrated system with 17 hospitals, 500 patient care locations and 36,000 employees. Mitch Parker Solarwinds, a major supplier of network security and management software to governments, private industry, and industry titans like FireEye and Microsoft, was found to have been compromised. Jaewon Ryu, MD Since 2018, Jaewon Ryu, MD, has helmed Geisinger, a regional health system with nine hospital campuses, a 550,000-member health plan, two research centers and a medical school. He has always been proud to be part of the organization, but he said that's especially true as he's seen workers navigate the COVID-19 pandemic amid challenges and uncertainty. CFO / FINANCE Baylor Scott & White to lay off 102 employees, outsource jobs to India Dallas-based Baylor Scott & White Health said it will lay off 102 employees in finance and accounting roles as part of an effort to reshape operations and reduce costs, according to The Dallas Morning News. Mayo Clinic returns nearly half its federal COVID-19 aid Mayo Clinic has returned nearly half of its grants from the Provider Relief Fund to HHS, effective Dec. 21, the Rochester, Minn.-based system confirmed to Becker's Hospital Review. Intermountain, UnitedHealthcare launch ACO Improved health outcomes for Intermountain Healthcare patients with Medicare coverage through UnitedHealthcare is the goal of a new ACO launched by the organizations. The average cost of a hospital COVID-19 test in each state The cost of getting a standard COVID-19 test at hospitals varies drastically by state, according to a nationwide study conducted by Hospital Pricing Specialists. Tenet strikes $1.1B deal for 45 surgery centers Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare is acquiring up to 45 ambulatory surgery centers from Towson, Md.-based SurgCenter Development, according to a Dec. 10 news release. CEO/STRATEGY South Carolina hospital CEO says Leapfrog is 'increasingly irrelevant,' disputes failing safety grade The Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg, S.C., was one of 16 hospitals to receive a failing grade from the Leapfrog Group in its Fall 2020 Safety Grades. The hospital's interim CEO Kirk Wilson says ratings from the Leapfrog Group are becoming "increasingly irrelevant," according to The Times and Democrat. 2021 to be fiercely competitive for MBA applicants Acceptance into an MBA program may be especially challenging in 2021 due to the alignment of several factors, Wall Street Journal reports. Amazon wants to offer primary care to other employers, report says Amazon wants to provide online and in-person primary care for other large employers, people familiar with its plan told Business Insider. 5 big concerns for hospital CEOs in 2021 Hospital CEOs have faced a year like no other. They have battled an unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, adjusting operations to safely care for patients and staff infected with the virus, while ensuring routine medical services remain available. Tenet CEO gets $9.6M payout after stock price hits $40 Tenet Executive Chair and CEO Ronald Rittenmeyer sold 408,526 shares of the Dallas-based company, according to a Dec. 14 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP AI mimics recruiter gender bias against women, study warns Artificial intelligence algorithms used for hiring show a bias for men over women, according to a new study from the University of Melbourne. Pandemic could disadvantage female physicians for years, researchers say The COVID-19 pandemic is highlighting gender disparities in medicine and magnifying the burden on female physicians, according to Medscape. Epic CEO makes Forbes' 100 most powerful women in the world list Epic CEO Judy Faulkner appeared on Forbes' list of 100 most powerful women in the world. 'It shouldn't be an afterthought': Mayo Clinic's 1st chief digital officer on the importance of equity, inclusion in digital health Since joining Mayo Clinic in December 2019 as its first chief digital officer, Rita Khan has been leading the health system's COVID-19 digital health initiatives from telehealth expansion to data mapping and consumer engagement. Allscripts appoints 9 female leaders Chicago-based Allscripts tapped nine women as executive leaders in 2020. INNOVATION Mass General Brigham, Houston Methodist execs: How to launch a successful innovation program The pandemic has made hospital administrators more aware than ever about the need to improve their operations and care delivery via digital transformation, and many hospitals that can afford to roll out innovation programs are making that move. Lyft, Anthem, others launch program for individuals needing rides to COVID-19 vaccine appointments Lyft, along with partners including Anthem and Epic, is launching a new campaign to provide 60 million rides for low-income, uninsured and at-risk communities getting the COVID-19 vaccine once it becomes available. Chief digital transformation officer to leave Boston Children's Jean Mixer, chief digital transformation officer and vice president of strategy at Boston Children's Hospital, is leaving her job at the hospital at the end of the year, the hospital confirmed. Top children's hospitals for tech, innovation by Parents magazine Parents magazine selected 15 children's hospitals as the top pediatric healthcare providers for innovation and technology. What's next for digital transformation in 2021? 7 predictions from Amazon's chief tech officer The COVID-19 pandemic helped pave the way for a significant shift to the digital world, creating new opportunities for tech adoption and innovation. CIO/HEALTH IT Inside UVM Medical Center's ransomware attack: 11 details Burlington, Vt.-based UVM Medical Center revealed the cybersecurity incident it suffered in October was a ransomware attack, but the health system didn't pay, according to a report in the Burlington Free Press. Why tech + empathy should be the CIO's new approach to employee health CIOs ramped up initiatives this year to prioritize and support employees' mental health and well-being as social distancing and isolation due to the pandemic altered the traditional workplace, according to The Wall Street Journal. Epic, Cerner lead in EHR interoperability, KLAS finds More than 60 percent of Epic EHR customers reported being able to achieve deep interoperability this year, according to a recent KLAS Research report. 67,000 patient records exposed in California hospital ransomware attack: 5 details An October ransomware attack at Sonoma Valley Hospital in California exposed tens of thousands of patient records, the hospital notified its patients last week. Cerner signs 4 new rural hospitals for cloud-based HER Four rural hospitals in South Dakota, New Mexico, Louisiana and Nebraska have signed on to implement Cerner's cloud-based CommunityWorks EHR system, according to a Dec. 23 news release. CMO/CARE DELIVERY Where are the 29 Leapfrog straight-'A' hospitals? The Leapfrog Group released its fall 2020 Hospital Safety Grades Dec. 14, assigning "A" through "F" letter grades to more than 2,600 acute care hospitals for patient safety performance. Cardiologist claims Colorado system fired her 1 day after she told CEO concerns of understaffing A cardiologist claims that Broomfield, Colo.-based SCL Health fired her out of retaliation one day after she emailed the system CEO with concerns about specialist understaffing, according to the Denver Post. Staff at hospitals in DC, Texas turn down COVID-19 vaccine Many employees at Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C., have reservations about taking the COVID-19 vaccine, and CEO Anita Jenkins is trying to get workers to follow her lead by getting vaccinated, according to CNN. Memorial Sloan Kettering paid $1.5M severance to CMO forced out over disclosure failures Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has paid more than $1.5 million in severance to its former CMO, who resigned in 2018 after he did not disclose financial ties to healthcare companies in research papers he authored, according to The New York Times. Nurses: The most trusted professionals in America Americans rated nurses as the most honest and ethical professionals for the 19th consecutive year, according to an annual Gallup poll. THOUGHT LEADERSHIP When COVID-19 is not a shared experience: Suggestions from NewYork-Presbyterian's CXO on how to deal with fatigue and denial As I write during this holiday season, we are seeing COVID-19 cases rise in the city and much more significantly in other parts of the country. We are facing down this fierce surge — by far the worst nationally in the pandemic — even as we look forward to the arrival of the first vaccine. Managing cash flow, employee fatigue top priorities of Hackensack Meridian CFO in 2021 Robert "Bob" Glenning serves as the president of the financial services division and CFO at Edison, N.J.-based Hackensack Meridian Health, an integrated system with 17 hospitals, 500 patient care locations and 36,000 employees. The Solarwinds breach — What do CIOs need to do now? Solarwinds, a major supplier of network security and management software to governments, private industry, and industry titans like FireEye and Microsoft, was found to have been compromised. Corner Office: Geisinger CEO Dr. Jaewon Ryu on rising to the challenges of the pandemic Since 2018, Jaewon Ryu, MD, has helmed Geisinger, a regional health system with nine hospital campuses, a 550,000-member health plan, two research centers and a medical school. He has always been proud to be part of the organization, but he said that's especially true as he's seen workers navigate the COVID-19 pandemic amid challenges and uncertainty.

January 2021 Issue of Becker's Hospital Review ON THE COVER CMS fines 2,545 hospitals for high readmissions: 5 things to know In fiscal year 2021, CMS will penalize 2,545 hospitals for having too many Medicare patients readmitted within 30 days, according to federal data cited by Kaiser Health News. CIOs are taking on 'COO by proxy' role A new set of responsibilities and expectations are emerging for many CIOs as organizations accelerate digital transformations while coordinating activities and managing risks for the entire organization, according to the Wall Street Journal. Dr. Atul Gawande on why COVID-19 vaccinations will test American society The distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in America will test a deeply divided society, and not just because of mistrust in vaccinations, Atul Gawande, MD, told New Yorker Editor David Remnick. What to do when a hospital leader resigns: A checklist Hospital and health system leaders resign for various reasons. Sometimes the resignation is involuntary and other times the executive steps down to take another job. A departure may also come without a stated reason. How 12 CEOs revitalize themselves The Becker's Hospital Review Corner Office series asks hospital and health system CEOs to share how they revitalize themselves. ER physicians accuse UnitedHealth of illegally underpaying claims Several emergency room physician practices in New York have filed a federal lawsuit alleging UnitedHealth Group and MultiPlan conspired to underpay out-of-network ER providers. 'COVID' fee showing up on medical bills across the country Healthcare providers across the U.S. are adding "COVID" fees to patient bills to deal with their financial difficulties linked to the pandemic, according to The New York Times. 'Corporate leadership must go. All of them': Physician urges Beaumont to oust top execs Robert Safian, MD, a cardiologist at Southfield, Mich.-based Beaumont Health and a professor at Oakland University Beaumont School of Medicine, has sent a letter to the health system's board of trustees urging them to oust Beaumont's top executives. 5 steps to address pay inequity in your hospital Hospital leaders have a choice: Act now to resolve pay inequity in your organization, or wait for employees to create a shared spreadsheet that shows just how wide the pay gaps are under your watch. (You may only learn about the latter when it's published in the newspaper.) Why Kaiser chose Best Buy Health as a tech partner Chris Stenzel, vice president of national business development and innovation at Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente, played an integral role in the health system's partnership with Best Buy Health to develop remote patient-monitoring tools for older adults. He describes how the partnership came about in a recent episode of the Becker's Healthcare podcast. 11 medical record snooping cases in 2020 Eleven hospitals and health systems reported instances of EHR snooping by their employees this year, resulting in terminations and other disciplinary actions. 7 patient safety goals for 2021 from Joint Commission The Joint Commission recently shared seven patient safety goals for hospitals to focus on in 2021. Chicago nurses placed on leave after delivering dead flowers to management Five nurses at Chicago-based Cook County Health remained on paid administrative leave Nov. 10 after participating in what they called a Halloween-themed union march at the health system's John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital. Annabella Salvador-Kelly, MD When the pandemic surged in New York this spring, Northwell Health was hit especially hard, treating more than 41,000 COVID-19 patients between March and May. Annabella Salvador-Kelly, MD, who serves as senior vice president of medical affairs and associate CMO at the New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based health system, had a front row view of this initial surge and has since played a critical role in Northwell Health's pandemic response. Sameer Badlani, MD The strategic vision cycle has shortened significantly during the pandemic, said Minneapolis-based Fairview CIO Sameer Badlani, but he still sees great opportunity for digital transformation and more equitable healthcare delivery. Rich Silveria Rich Silveria has spent the last three years as executive vice president and CFO of the University of Chicago Medical Center and more than 30 years in healthcare, but his road to the C-suite has been anything but traditional. Angela Shippy, MD Angela Shippy, MD, is a veteran of Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston, and she took on her expanded role as senior vice president, chief medical and quality officer, in February. Philip Ozuah, MD, PhD Philip Ozuah, MD, PhD, began as president and CEO of Montefiore Medicine in November 2019, just months before the COVID-19 pandemic slammed New York City. Michael Dowling Too often, we come to appreciate decency only in light of its absence. When someone or something violates the social code of decency, or lacks a sincere desire to do the right thing, we are reminded of this unsung virtue's significance. Kevin Mahoney A tractor accident in college got Kevin Mahoney interested in healthcare. That interest grew as he witnessed the ins and outs of hospital operations as a patient. Nearly four decades later, that experience sticks with him as he helms Philadelphia's six-hospital University of Pennsylvania Health System. CFO / FINANCE CMS fines 2,545 hospitals for high readmissions: 5 things to know In fiscal year 2021, CMS will penalize 2,545 hospitals for having too many Medicare patients readmitted within 30 days, according to federal data cited by Kaiser Health News. Tenet to lay off workers in Detroit, shed 4 urgent care centers Detroit Medical Center is laying off employees, and its parent company, Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare, is planning to sell or close four urgent care centers in the Detroit area, according to Crain's Detroit Business. Chinese billionaire sells additional $40M of CHS stock Chinese investor Tianqiao Chen and his group of companies have a 14.96 percent stake in Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems after recently selling nearly 4.6 million shares of the company, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. 39 hospitals face maximum Medicare readmission penalties As part of the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program, Medicare will cut payments to 83 percent of the 3,080 hospitals evaluated for the program by anywhere from 0.01 percent to the maximum of 3 percent in fiscal year 2021. Thousands of medical practices close under stress from pandemic Physicians and nurses across the country are retiring early, and thousands of medical practices are closing due to the pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to The New York Times. CEO/STRATEGY Sanford Health CEO is out Kelby Krabbenhoft is no longer president and CEO of Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Sanford Health. The development comes after 24 years of Mr. Krabbenhoft's leadership in the top position of the 46-hospital system and days after he wrote an email to 50,000 employees explaining his stance on face coverings amid the most severe COVID-19 surge in the U.S. to date. CEO, chief nursing officer no longer with Prisma Health hospital The CEO and chief nursing officer of Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital in Sumter, S.C., are no longer in their positions, Columbia, S.C.-based Prisma Health confirmed in a statement shared with Becker's Nov. 17. Tom Nickels to retire from American Hospital Association: 5 notes Tom Nickels, executive vice president for government relations and public policy at the American Hospital Association, will retire in 2021, the association said Dec. 3. How 12 CEOs revitalize themselves The Becker's Hospital Review Corner Office series asks hospital and health system CEOs to share how they revitalize themselves. Walmart Health opens in Chicago Two Walmart Health centers opened in Chicago Nov. 20 adjacent to newly remodeled Walmart supercenters. WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP 'We needed to think differently': Northwell Health's Dr. Annabella Salvador-Kelly on sharpening leadership skills during the pandemic When the pandemic surged in New York this spring, Northwell Health was hit especially hard, treating more than 41,000 COVID-19 patients between March and May. Annabella Salvador-Kelly, MD, who serves as senior vice president of medical affairs and associate CMO at the New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based health system, had a front row view of this initial surge and has since played a critical role in Northwell Health's pandemic response. Female PAs were paid $9,010 less than male peers, research shows A gender wage gap among physician assistants continues to persist, with female PAs earning $9,010 less than their male counterparts in 2018, according to new research. Physician viewpoint: We need to work on gender equity in cardiology While progress has been made to address the sex inequities that exist within the field of cardiology, there's still a long path ahead, according to Michelle O'Donoghue, MD. Female representation on hospital boards: 4 research findings While diversity benefits the boards of nonprofit hospitals and health systems, barriers to joining these governing bodies remain substantial for women, according to joint research from the Women's Nonprofit Leadership Initiative and Nonprofit Issues. 10 cities with highest, lowest pay for female physicians The gender wage gap was 28 percent for physicians in 2020, up from 25.2 percent last year, according to Doximity's 2020 Physician Compensation Report. INNOVATION Dr. Anita Gupta: 5 technologies that will drive patient experience improvements and future of digital health While digital transformation has accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, key factors to keep the momentum going are trust, a focus on the patient experience and ensuring safety and efficiency, according to Anita Gupta, DO, PharmD. Tampa General develops venture capital fund, names VP for innovation: 5 things to know Tampa General Hospital created a venture capital fund to support early-stage startups and make direct investments in healthcare companies. Why Kaiser chose Best Buy Health as a tech partner Chris Stenzel, vice president of national business development and innovation at Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente, played an integral role in the health system's partnership with Best Buy Health to develop remote patient-monitoring tools for older adults. He describes how the partnership came about in a recent episode of the Becker's Healthcare podcast. Amazon launches online pharmacy Amazon has launched Amazon Pharmacy, a new online pharmacy allowing patients to purchase their prescriptions through the retail giant's website. Fitbit gets $2.5M to test wearable tech COVID-19 early detection algorithm on Northwell Health employees The U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command awarded Fitbit $2.5 million to develop wearable tech capabilities that can detect COVID-19 before symptoms start and test the devices with Northwell Health, according to an Oct. 29 news release. CIO/HEALTH IT 20 most common US passwords Healthcare providers are required to have several passwords to access their computers, EHR and other sensitive information. CIOs are taking on 'COO by proxy' role A new set of responsibilities and expectations are emerging for many CIOs as organizations accelerate digital transformations while coordinating activities and managing risks for the entire organization, according to the Wall Street Journal. Epic's CEO says hospitals should have a 'chief imitation officer' and its new initiative will help Forbes Chair Steve Forbes interviewed Epic Systems CEO Judy Faulkner for his podcast titled "What's Ahead." 11 medical record snooping cases in 2020 Eleven hospitals and health systems reported instances of EHR snooping by their employees this year, resulting in terminations and other disciplinary actions. 5 tips for a smooth EHR-to-EHR transition As EHRs continue to age out from first and second generation software, hospitals and health systems will increasingly look to transition their current systems to a new platform. CMO/CARE DELIVERY Newark Beth Israel breaks ties with director of troubled heart transplant program Mark Zucker, MD, director of Newark (N.J.) Beth Israel Medical Center's heart transplant program left his role Oct. 30 after being on administrative leave for the last year, reports ProPublica. Utah hospital stops conspiracy theorists attempting to sneak in, disprove ICU capacity claims Provo-based Utah Valley Hospital is implementing new precautions after several conspiracy theorists attempted to sneak into the intensive care unit, reports NBC affiliate KSL-TV. 7 patient safety goals for 2021 from Joint Commission The Joint Commission recently shared seven patient safety goals for hospitals to focus on in 2021. Dr. Atul Gawande on why COVID-19 vaccinations will test American society The distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in America will test a deeply divided society, and not just because of mistrust in vaccinations, Atul Gawande, MD, told New Yorker Editor David Remnick. Hospitals saw drop in some HAIs last year: 4 CDC findings U.S. hospitals saw improvement fighting bloodstream and urinary tract infections rates last year, according to the CDC's 2019 National and State HAI Progress Report. THOUGHT LEADERSHIP 'You can't cut or shrink your way to greatness': University of Chicago Medical Center CFO on managing finances amid the pandemic Rich Silveria has spent the last three years as executive vice president and CFO of the University of Chicago Medical Center and more than 30 years in healthcare, but his road to the C-suite has been anything but traditional. Memorial Hermann's Dr. Angela Shippy on why she keeps an album of thank-you notes on her desk Angela Shippy, MD, is a veteran of Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston, and she took on her expanded role as senior vice president, chief medical and quality officer, in February. Montefiore CEO Dr. Philip Ozuah on why he refused to ration a 1-day supply of N95 masks Philip Ozuah, MD, PhD, began as president and CEO of Montefiore Medicine in November 2019, just months before the COVID-19 pandemic slammed New York City. Michael Dowling: Look to healthcare to remember what decency means Too often, we come to appreciate decency only in light of its absence. When someone or something violates the social code of decency, or lacks a sincere desire to do the right thing, we are reminded of this unsung virtue's significance. Corner Office: U of Pennsylvania Health System CEO Kevin Mahoney on how a tractor accident shaped his career A tractor accident in college got Kevin Mahoney interested in healthcare. That interest grew as he witnessed the ins and outs of hospital operations as a patient. Nearly four decades later, that experience sticks with him as he helms Philadelphia's six-hospital University of Pennsylvania Health System.

Healthcare organizations and their front-line clinical workforce have absorbed the brunt of the pandemic and the emotional toll of witnessing the deaths of hundreds of thousands who could not have loved ones present.

Challenging circumstances posed by the pandemic make it more important than ever for hospitals to focus on financial health.

November/December 2020 Issue of Becker's Clinical Leadership & Infection Control  ON THE COVER 'Post-COVID' clinics gain traction among health systems A small but growing number of health systems are launching dedicated clinics or programs for COVID-19 patients with lingering symptoms, reports Kaiser Health News. Boston Children's Hospital to end 2 intersex surgeries Boston Children's Hospital will no longer perform two types of genital surgeries on intersex children if they are too young to meaningfully consent, reports The 19th News. NewYork-Presbyterian CXO Rick Evans: Climbing over the pandemic wall will require changing healthcare's 'suck-it-up' culture As we transition to autumn here in New York City, we are entering a new phase of living with the pandemic and addressing its effects on our patients and staff. Nurses, CNAs made up 36% of healthcare workers hospitalized with COVID-19 this spring, analysis finds More than a third of healthcare workers hospitalized with COVID-19 from March to May were in nursing-related positions, representing the highest proportion of healthcare workers in the hospital with the illness, according to a new CDC analysis. Massachusetts hospital COVID-19 outbreak may be tied to employees eating together An outbreak of COVID-19 cases among Holyoke (Mass.) Medical Center employees is believed to be linked to staff members eating together while on break, TV station WWLP reported. 10 healthcare execs share predictions for nursing in the next 5 years The pandemic put nurses on the front lines of the battle against COVID-19 and caused shifts in the way they provide care. How hospitals can boost employee morale this winter As environmental services workers get ready for their shifts at Salem (Ore.) Health, they take a moment to engage in positivity. They get sticky notes and pens, write down celebratory moments and put the notes on a wall in their break room. CDC launches $180M infection control training program The CDC unveiled a national infection control training initiative Oct. 28 known as Project Firstline to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases in healthcare settings. 'Shut it down': Virginia hospital under investigation isn't safe, nurse says A registered nurse who formerly worked at Cumberland Hospital for Children and Adolescents in New Kent, Va., is calling for it to be shut down after she said she witnessed child abuse at the facility, according to CBS 6. 7 patient safety goals for 2021 from Joint Commission The Joint Commission recently shared seven patient safety goals for hospitals to focus on in 2021. Cleveland's University Hospitals offering sleep pods for front-line COVID-19 workers Cleveland-based University Hospitals will offer sleep pods for front-line workers as part of a 10-month pilot program with HOHM during the COVID-19 pandemic, the health system announced Oct. 12. RWJBarnabas to screen all patients for social determinants of health West Orange, N.J.-based RWJBarnabas Health has launched a universal social determinants of health program to regularly screen patients for factors that may contribute to chronic disease. Hospital deaths 5 times higher for COVID-19 than flu, CDC finds Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 are at a higher risk for death and health complications than those hospitalized with influenza, according to the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report published Oct. 20. CMS fines 2,545 hospitals for high readmissions: 5 things to know In fiscal year 2021, CMS will penalize 2,545 hospitals for having too many Medicare patients readmitted within 30 days, according to federal data cited by Kaiser Health News. INFECTION CONTROL Universal masking lowers COVID-19 infections among healthcare workers, Harvard study finds Universal masking at a Massachusetts health system led to a decrease in COVID-19 cases among healthcare workers, even as the virus spread increased in the surrounding community, according to a study published Oct. 21 by Occupational Medicine. CDC launches $180M infection control training program The CDC unveiled a national infection control training initiative Oct. 28 known as Project Firstline to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases in healthcare settings. Kaiser cited over lack of COVID-19 airborne precautions California officials cited Kaiser Permante for failing to treat COVID-19 as an airborne disease at a psychiatric facility in Santa Clara, reports CALMatters, a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom. Some COVID-19 survivors may have antibodies that attack body instead of virus Some COVID-19 survivors may carry antibodies that attack the body instead of the virus, similar to antibodies seen in lupus and rheumatoid arthritis patients, according to a study cited by The New York Times. Massachusetts hospital COVID-19 outbreak may be tied to employees eating together An outbreak of COVID-19 cases among Holyoke (Mass.) Medical Center employees is believed to be linked to staff members eating together while on break, TV station WWLP reported. PATIENT SAFETY 'Shut it down': Virginia hospital under investigation isn't safe, nurse says A registered nurse who formerly worked at Cumberland Hospital for Children and Adolescents in New Kent, Va., is calling for it to be shut down after she said she witnessed child abuse at the facility, according to CBS 6. Complaints of long wait times spur probe of California safety-net system California health officials will investigate Los Angeles County's safety-net healthcare system after a report highlighted clinician concerns about long wait times for specialty care, reports the Los Angeles Times. Medtronic recalls heart catheter after 1 death, 2 injuries Medtronic has recalled its Rashkind balloon catheter after reports of a patient death and two patient injuries, the FDA announced Nov. 3. South Carolina hospital fires back at physicians claiming 'abysmal' care Columbia, S.C.-based Prisma Health said physicians claiming patient safety issues at the system's Baptist Hospital are motivated by money more than patient care, according to The State. 3 healthcare workers charged in patient death at Colorado nursing home; state shuts down facility A nurse and two certified nursing assistants have been charged for negligence in relation to a patient death at a Colorado nursing home, according to CBS affiliate KKTV. PATIENT & CAREGIVER EXPERIENCE How hospitals can boost employee morale this winter As environmental services workers get ready for their shifts at Salem (Ore.) Health, they take a moment to engage in positivity. They get sticky notes and pens, write down celebratory moments and put the notes on a wall in their break room. Cancer patient reports unsanitary conditions at Memorial Health A breast cancer patient at Savannah, Ga.-based Memorial Health said hospital staff neglected to clean her room and didn't provide basic supplies like toilet paper, reports NBC affiliate WSAV. NewYork-Presbyterian CXO Rick Evans: Climbing over the pandemic wall will require changing healthcare's 'suck-it-up' culture As we transition to autumn here in New York City, we are entering a new phase of living with the pandemic and addressing its effects on our patients and staff. HCA Healthcare physician dies of COVID-19 after wearing same mask for weeks An HCA Healthcare physician has died of COVID-19 after reusing her N95 mask for weeks, if not months, The Guardian reported. Physicians grapple with treatment uncertainty for COVID-19 long haulers Care teams are facing the dual challenge of responding to COVID-19 patients' immediate medical needs while also discerning how to help survivors facing long-term symptoms, reports The Washington Post. QUALITY IMPROVEMENT & MEASUREMENT Neurological symptoms common in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, Northwestern study finds More than 80 percent of COVID-19 patients hospitalized at Chicago-based Northwestern Medicine this spring had neurological symptoms, according to a study published in Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology. How 3 hospitals maintained a 62% drop in pressure injuries through the pandemic Three hospitals achieved a more than 60 percent reduction in pressure injuries through a collaborative project with the Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare. 10 best states for healthcare access during pandemic Massachusetts leads states in improving healthcare access for residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an analysis by QuoteWizard, an insurance comparison website. VA hospitals' antibiotic use has increased amid pandemic, study finds Antibiotic use has increased at Veterans Affairs hospitals during the pandemic, reversing a four-year trend of reduced use, according to a study presented at IDWeek 2020. COVID-19 patients with GI symptoms have worse outcomes, study finds Patients experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms from COVID-19 have an increased risk of hospitalization, ICU care and intubation compared to patients without GI symptoms, according to a study presented at the 2020 American College of Gastroenterology Annual Scientific Meeting and Postgraduate Course. NURSING SPOTLIGHT Nurses, CNAs made up 36% of healthcare workers hospitalized with COVID-19 this spring, analysis finds More than a third of healthcare workers hospitalized with COVID-19 from March to May were in nursing-related positions, representing the highest proportion of healthcare workers in the hospital with the illness, according to a new CDC analysis. 8 best nursing schools for men The American Association for Men in Nursing recognized eight universities as the recipients of its 2020 Best Schools for Men in Nursing Awards. The winners were named at the AAMN's annual conference earlier this month. Viewpoint: Why nurses make great lawmakers Nurses bring unique perspectives to the legislative process and have a role outside of the hospital, according to an op-ed written by Janice Phillips, PhD, RN, and published in The Hill. Nurse-led initiative cuts unnecessary urine cultures at Johns Hopkins Hospital: 4 things to know An antibiotic stewardship intervention program led by nurses at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore led to a reduction of inappropriate urinary cultures for adult patients, according to a pilot study published in the November issue of The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety. Ochsner, Loyola New Orleans launch nursing program Ochsner Health and Loyola University New Orleans partnered on a new undergraduate nursing program in an effort to address workforce shortages in Louisiana and the nation.  

December 2020 Issue of Becker's Hospital Review ON THE COVER 10 things we've learned about COVID-19 so far Over the past seven months, COVID-19 has impacted nearly every aspect of our lives. As we continue to find safe and creative ways to navigate our new reality with this virus, it's worthwhile to reflect on what we've learned along the way. AMC chiefs: This is the next decade's toughest decision The pandemic has forced academic medical centers to plan for the worst and hope for the best. AMC executives will need that mentality as they look forward to the next 10 years, which will bring seismic shifts in care delivery. Investors extracted $400M from hospital chain that couldn't afford supplies Leonard Green & Partners, a private equity firm, has taken $400 million in dividends and fees for itself and investors in the decade since it bought a controlling stake in Los Angeles-based Prospect Medical Holdings, according to ProPublica. 3 things that kill creativity on innovation teams: Lifespan leader weighs in Innovation must be a collaborative, boundary-pushing process supported by a team that is diverse in every sense of the word, according to Megan Ranney, MD, director of the Brown-Lifespan Center for Digital Health, a partnership between Providence, R.I.-based Lifespan and Brown University. 7 alerts, tools hospitals are adding to their EHRs Here are seven digital alerts and tools that hospitals and health systems have recently developed or integrated with their EHR systems. CommonSpirit extends timeline for $2B cost savings plan by 12 months Chicago-based CommonSpirit Health's plan to cut $2 billion in expenses will likely take five years instead of the planned four, the health system confirmed to Becker's Hospital Review. Health systems balancing elective care, COVID-19 hospitalizations Hospitals across the U.S. are working to care for more COVID-19 patients needing hospitalization without halting lucrative elective procedures, according to The Wall Street Journal. Physicians resign from Kansas hospital amid concerns with CEO Four physicians resigned from Meade (Kan.) District Hospital after raising concerns over the hospital's executive leadership, according to local news stations KSCB and KAKE. Gender pay gap set to close in 39 years The projected deadline for equitable pay between men and women remains the same as it has for the past four years — 2059 — meaning the rate of progress toward closing the gender pay gap did not accelerate in 2019, according to The Institute for Women's Policy Research. How a former Target exec transformed innovation at Banner Health Phoenix-based Banner Health named former Target executive Christy Anderson executive director of its innovation group in 2017, and since then she has overhauled how the system approaches innovation, according to a Business Insider report. What UnitedHealth Group, Humana, Anthem and Cigna execs are saying about telehealth When the pandemic began, insurance companies acted quickly to ensure members had access to telehealth services. 'Shut it down': Virginia hospital under investigation isn't safe, nurse says A registered nurse who formerly worked at Cumberland Hospital for Children and Adolescents in New Kent, Va., is calling for it to be shut down after she said she witnessed child abuse at the facility, according to CBS 6. RWJBarnabas to screen all patients for social determinants of health West Orange, N.J.-based RWJBarnabas Health has launched a universal social determinants of health program to regularly screen patients for factors that may contribute to chronic disease. Carl Armato Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Novant Health was one of three major health systems competing to expand in North Carolina by securing a deal to partner with or own New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, N.C. Novant Health emerged as the winner in July, and recently, it secured a crucial approval in the deal from the New Hanover County Commissioners. John Gizdic Becker's Hospital Review caught up with Carl Armato, president and CEO of Novant Health, and John Gizdic, president and CEO of New Hanover Regional Medical Center, to discuss what the integration process will look like, what excites them the most about the partnership and how they handled any staff or community reservations about the deal. Lisa Shannon Lisa Shannon has served as COO of Minneapolis-based Allina Health since 2017, and she added president to her title on Sept. 24. Richard Fogel, MD Over the past seven months, COVID-19 has impacted nearly every aspect of our lives. As we continue to find safe and creative ways to navigate our new reality with this virus, it's worthwhile to reflect on what we've learned along the way. Howard Kern The concept of health systems successfully operating a health plan while coexisting with physicians in an integrated delivery model has been an alluring proposition in our industry for decades. The goal is for integrated systems to be purveyors of population health and assume risk while delivering excellent clinical care. Jenni Alvey "Price transparency has been touted as a way to reduce healthcare spending, but there’s one big problem: It has rarely worked." -JAMA Forum, Aug. 22, 2019 Guy Hudson, MD Since the start of his healthcare career, Guy Hudson, MD, has had a desire to serve people in need, and that passion continues to stay with him in his role as CEO of Seattle-based Swedish Health Services. CFO / FINANCE Investors extracted $400M from hospital chain that couldn't afford supplies Leonard Green & Partners, a private equity firm, has taken $400 million in dividends and fees for itself and investors in the decade since it bought a controlling stake in Los Angeles-based Prospect Medical Holdings, according to ProPublica. HCA to return $6B in federal COVID-19 aid Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare released a preview of its third-quarter financial results on Oct. 8 and said it is returning $6 billion in federal grants and loans meant to offset financial strain tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. Texas hospital seeks critical access status as break with Baylor Scott & White looms Llano (Texas) County Memorial Hospital is applying for a critical access designation that would allow the rural hospital to reduce its financial vulnerability through increased Medicare reimbursement, according to DailyTrib.com. Jefferson Health to cut 500 jobs, reduce executive pay Philadelphia-based Jefferson Health is taking steps to reduce costs to help offset losses tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. Intermountain Healthcare to cut 250 business positions Intermountain Healthcare, a 24-hospital health system based in Salt Lake City, is eliminating 250 business function positions to reduce costs and improve healthcare affordability, the health system announced Oct. 13. CEO/STRATEGY Sonoma Valley Hospital considers integrating executive leadership with UCSF Sonoma (Calif.) Valley Hospital said it is considering a management services agreement with UCSF Health in San Francisco that calls for integrated executive leadership. Physicians resign from Kansas hospital amid concerns with CEO Four physicians resigned from Meade (Kan.) District Hospital after raising concerns over the hospital's executive leadership, according to local news stations KSCB and KAKE. Missouri hospital CEO put on leave over personnel matter Perryville, Mo.-based Perry County Health Systems President and CEO Patrick Carron has been placed on administrative leave, according to TV station KFVS. Trinity Health Michigan raises minimum wage for 2,100 workers Trinity Health Michigan is raising its minimum wage to $15 per hour for hospital and medical group employees, the organization announced in an Oct. 19 news release. University Medical Center CEO saves man's life at Las Vegas casino The CEO of a Las Vegas hospital helped save a man who went into cardiac arrest on the floor of a casino, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP Allina Health President and COO Lisa Shannon's advice to female leaders: Be authentic Lisa Shannon has served as COO of Minneapolis-based Allina Health since 2017, and she added president to her title on Sept. 24. All-male panels still dominate medical conferences, study finds Including more women on planning committees for medical conferences could help boost gender equity at these events and limit the number of all-male panels, known as "manels," a study published in JAMA Network Open found. Female healthcare execs less satisfied with pay, job than male peers, report finds Male and female healthcare executives have varying perceptions of their workplaces, highlighting a continued need to address gender biases in the C-suite, according to a special report published in the Journal of Healthcare Management. Female voices are missing from global COVID-19 news coverage, study finds Global media coverage on COVID-19 is significantly lacking the voices of female scientists, physicians and health experts, reports The Washington Post. Gender pay gap set to close in 39 years The projected deadline for equitable pay between men and women remains the same as it has for the past four years — 2059 — meaning the rate of progress toward closing the gender pay gap did not accelerate in 2019, according to The Institute for Women's Policy Research. INNOVATION The 10 healthcare companies that made LinkedIn's 'top 50 startups' list LinkedIn recently posted its annual list of the top 50 startups to know, and 10 digital health-related companies made the list. Tampa General, Philips ink 7-year, multimillion-dollar digital transformation deal: 4 details Tampa (Fla.) General Hospital signed a seven-year strategic partnership with Royal Philips to boost technological innovation. Mayo Clinic launches new digital care, diagnostics platform: 4 things to know Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic launched a new platform to increase remote diagnostic access for commonly transmitted diseases, the health system announced Oct. 12. 3 things that kill creativity on innovation teams: Lifespan leader weighs in Innovation must be a collaborative, boundary-pushing process supported by a team that is diverse in every sense of the word, according to Megan Ranney, MD, director of the Brown-Lifespan Center for Digital Health, a partnership between Providence, R.I.-based Lifespan and Brown University. Intermountain announces 2 digital health partnerships in 2 days Salt Lake City, Utah-based Intermountain Healthcare announced two digital health partnerships in the past 48 hours. CIO/HEALTH IT What UnitedHealth Group, Humana, Anthem and Cigna execs are saying about telehealth When the pandemic began, insurance companies acted quickly to ensure members had access to telehealth services. Geisinger fires employee for inappropriately accessing 700+ patients' medical records Geisinger began notifying more than 700 patients Sept. 18 that one of the Danville, Pa.-based health system's former employees inappropriately accessed their medical records. Sam's Club launches $1 telehealth visits for members: 7 details Sam's Club partnered with primary care telehealth provider 98point6 to offer members virtual visits. CMS adds 11 new telehealth services to Medicare coverage CMS on Oct. 14 added 11 new services to the list of telehealth services that Medicare will reimburse during the COVID-19 public health emergency. 4 C-level Livongo execs to depart amid merger with Teladoc Teladoc CEO Jason Gorevic recently filed a letter with the Securities and Exchange Commission detailing that four of Livongo's C-suite executives will be leaving after the two companies' merger is finalized. CMO/CARE DELIVERY OSHA fines 28 US hospitals, nursing homes for COVID-19 safety violations The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited more than 25 healthcare facilities for COVID-19 safety violations, totaling fines of at least $285,000. Kaiser cited over lack of COVID-19 airborne precautions California officials cited Kaiser Permante for failing to treat COVID-19 as an airborne disease at a psychiatric facility in Santa Clara, reports CALMatters, a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom. 'Shut it down': Virginia hospital under investigation isn't safe, nurse says A registered nurse who formerly worked at Cumberland Hospital for Children and Adolescents in New Kent, Va., is calling for it to be shut down after she said she witnessed child abuse at the facility, according to CBS 6. Remdesivir cuts COVID-19 recovery time by 5 days, final study data says Remdesivir shortened COVID-19 patient recovery time by five days, according to final data from a phase 3 trial published Oct. 8 in the New England Journal of Medicine. COVID-19 antibodies last at least 5 months, study suggests COVID-19 patients may produce antibodies for at least five months after initial infection, according to a study published in the journal Immunity. THOUGHT LEADERSHIP So you want to start a health plan? A look at Sentara's integrated model — and President & CEO Howard Kern's advice The concept of health systems successfully operating a health plan while coexisting with physicians in an integrated delivery model has been an alluring proposition in our industry for decades. The goal is for integrated systems to be purveyors of population health and assume risk while delivering excellent clinical care. IU Health CFO Jenni Alvey's message to healthcare execs: We still have work to do on price transparency "Price transparency has been touted as a way to reduce healthcare spending, but there’s one big problem: It has rarely worked." -JAMA Forum, Aug. 22, 2019 Corner Office: Swedish CEO Dr. Guy Hudson on what swimming taught him about slowing down Since the start of his healthcare career, Guy Hudson, MD, has had a desire to serve people in need, and that passion continues to stay with him in his role as CEO of Seattle-based Swedish Health Services.

Organizations are responsible for managing business needs, including financial and competitive pressures, without compromising the care of human life. The Allscripts-Microsoft partnership will support Allscripts’ cloud-based Sunrise™ electronic health record, making Microsoft the solution’s cloud provider and creating co-innovation opportunities to help transform healthcare with smarter, more scalable technology. Additionally, Allscripts can harness the power of Microsoft’s platform and tools, including Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Teams and Power BI, to drive a more seamless and highly productive user experience.

How does a large-scale medical group continue to provide quality care for patients and physicians — even during a global pandemic?

November 2020 Issue of Becker's Hospital Review ON THE COVER 10 ACOs with the most shared savings in 2019 Medicare Shared Savings Program ACOs generated a record $1.2 billion in net savings for the Medicare program across 541 ACOs in 2019, CMS Administrator Seema Verma announced Sept. 14 in Health Affairs. After 'baptism by fire,' hospitals say they're better prepared to treat COVID-19 this fall Physicians and leaders at many U.S. hospitals say they are feeling better prepared to respond to a potential second wave of COVID-19 cases this fall, according to The Wall Street Journal. Career impatience: The No. 1 worry hospital CEOs have about the next generation of healthcare leaders There's good reason to feel optimistic about the next generation of healthcare leadership. But if they have to pinpoint one concern, two chiefs of health systems in California and New York agree: young professionals' unrealistic expectations for promotion and career advancement. 22 hospitals laying off furloughed workers More than 260 hospitals in the U.S. furloughed workers this spring to help offset financial losses attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. 17 best health systems for leadership development The National Center for Healthcare Leadership awarded 10 health systems its 2020 "Bold" or "Best Organizations for Leadership Development" designation, and honored another seven for their ability to develop leaders. Rural Georgia hospital to close in October Financial strain is prompting the Oct. 31 closure of Northridge Medical Center, a 90-bed hospital in Commerce, Ga., according to Georgia Health News. AHA to HHS: Stop drugmakers' 'abusive tactics' over 340B discounts The American Hospital Association sent a second letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar Sept. 8, urging him to stop drugmaker's "abusive tactics" to limit 340B discounts. Bankruptcy trustee fires Missouri hospital's chief strategy officer Sonny Saggar, MD, the emergency room chief and chief strategy officer at St. Louis-based St. Alexius Hospital was fired Sept. 11, according to the St. Louis Business Journal. Walmart Health details expansion plans in 3 states: 6 things to know Walmart plans to open at least 16 more standalone health clinics by the end of 2021, according to a Sept. 17 company blog post. 20 bold predictions for health IT in the next 5 years The pandemic accelerated adoption of telehealth, remote monitoring and digital health capabilities by nearly a decade for some organizations. UHS brings hospitals back online after 8-day outage Universal Health Services, a 26-hospital health system based in King of Prussia, Pa., reported that its IT network has been restored as of Oct. 5, eight days after it fell victim to a cyberattack. HCA hospital staff link device malfunction, patient death to understaffing A patient at North Suburban Medical Center died in May after staff members failed to change the battery on the individual's pulse oximeter in a timely manner, according to a state inspection report cited by The Denver Post. 4 clinical chiefs: This is what a high-performing medical team looks like The COVID-19 pandemic has put unprecedented pressures on the resources and safety of the country's medical teams. Stories of immense challenges have been juxtaposed with stories of bravery, hope and camaraderie among front-line medical workers. Adrienne Schultz, MSN, RN Adrienne Schultz, MSN, RN, is relatively new to her position as vice president and CNO of Cudahy, Wis.-based Advocate Aurora St. Luke's South Shore, a role which she began in July. However, she brought with her more than 25 years of healthcare leadership experience. Carolyn Ogland, MD Carolyn Ogland, MD, learned from an early age how healthcare workers can help patients and their families, and that continues to be her focus as CMO of Robbinsdale, Minn.-based North Memorial Health. Jasmine Ballard Jasmine Ballard serves as Administrative Director at Levine Cancer Institute of Atrium Health. Jeanette Wojtalewicz Jeanette Wojtalewicz, MHA, serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for CHI Health. Paul Viviano "When the pandemic first showed up, I asked our leaders who could do so safely to be present, to be here, be visible and ensure we are leading by example since we are designated as an essential service. There was a lot of pressure to have team members work remotely, but I asked my direct reports to refrain from working from home routinely. I wanted our presence to be felt by the entire team." James Kravec, MD As part of an ongoing series, Becker's is talking to healthcare leaders who plan to speak at the first Becker's Healthcare Clinical Leadership Virtual Event Sept. 9-10. John Couris There is no question that COVID-19 has changed the way we operate day to day. One thing that has remained constant — and should be respected — is the unpredictability of it. Tina Freese Decker Tina Freese Decker's nearly two decades of leadership at Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Spectrum Health have allowed her to address healthcare challenges such as access and affordability. Now, as president and CEO, she is also helping drive change in health equity. Kevin Conroy Kevin Conroy serves as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Population Health Officer at CareMount Medical. Rod Hanners It has been 25 years since Rod Hanners was a naval officer on a nuclear submarine, but U.S. Navy experience helps him today as interim CEO of Keck Medicine of USC in Los Angeles. CFO / FINANCE Hospitals charge private insurers more than 2x what Medicare pays: 6 things to know Hospitals across the U.S. charge private insurers an average of 247 percent more than what Medicare would pay for the same care, according to a RAND Corp. study published Sept. 18. UPMC Lock Haven closed indefinitely after fire UPMC Lock Haven (Pa.) remains closed four days after a fire prompted it to evacuate patients and shut down, according to the Williamsport Sun-Gazette. Outlook remains negative for US for-profit hospitals, Moody's says Moody's Investors Service maintained its negative outlook for U.S. for-profit hospitals due to waning federal aid, shifting payer mixes and varying volume trends. Texas regulators approve sale of 2 CHS hospitals under COPA law Texas regulators have approved Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems' planned divestiture of two hospitals in the state, despite objection from the Federal Trade Commission. Private equity-backed hospitals receive $2.5B in COVID-19 aid Hospital chains owned by three private equity firms received a combined $2.5 billion in federal grants and loans to offset financial damage linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Bloomberg. CEO/STRATEGY 39 health systems declare racism a public health crisis, vow to fight it Thirty-nine health systems across the U.S. declared racism a public health crisis and committed to address healthcare disparities across the nation. Trump signs executive orders on healthcare: 6 things to know President Donald Trump on Sept. 24 signed two executive orders implementing his "America First Healthcare Plan." Florida Hospital Association names new CEO The Florida Hospital Association has tapped Mary Mayhew as president and CEO. Geisinger's food service strategy amid the pandemic: Insights from senior director Steve Cerullo As the COVID-19 pandemic hit the U.S., hospitals and health systems began rethinking their food service operations to address safety concerns and shifting patient volumes. CEO: Running Temple Health 'most challenging task I've ever had' Mike Young, the CEO of Philadelphia-based Temple Health, said managing the system's cash-strapped safety-net hospitals is "the most challenging task I've ever had" in an interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer. WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP Advocate Aurora CNO Adrienne Schultz on her healthcare inspirations, the challenges of being a female leader and striking a work-life balance Adrienne Schultz, MSN, RN, is relatively new to her position as vice president and CNO of Cudahy, Wis.-based Advocate Aurora St. Luke's South Shore, a role which she began in July. However, she brought with her more than 25 years of healthcare leadership experience. Why North Memorial Health's Dr. Carolyn Ogland ditched career balance for focusing on the moment Carolyn Ogland, MD, learned from an early age how healthcare workers can help patients and their families, and that continues to be her focus as CMO of Robbinsdale, Minn.-based North Memorial Health. Campbell County Health welcomes its first female CEO Campbell County Health in Gillette, Wyo., has welcomed Colleen Heeter, RN, BSN, as its first female CEO, according to the Gillette News Record. Physician practices with less gender diversity have bigger pay gender gaps, study finds Medical practices that employ more male physicians also have a larger pay gap between men and women, a study published in The BMJ found. Women's equality in the US: Where does your state rank? Hawaii is the No. 1 state in the country when evaluated for equal treatment for men and women in the workplace, education and health, and political empowerment, according to rankings from WalletHub. INNOVATION 20 bold predictions for health IT in the next 5 years The pandemic accelerated adoption of telehealth, remote monitoring and digital health capabilities by nearly a decade for some organizations. 7 hospitals, health systems piloting digital transformation programs Hospitals and health systems across the U.S. are pushing digital transformation efforts forward by creating new tools and launching innovative programs. Disney exec tapped as Baptist Health South Florida's 1st digital chief Miami-based Baptist Health South Florida named Walt Disney executive Tony Ambrozie its first senior vice president and chief digital officer. Jefferson Health CEO Dr. Stephen Klasko joins digital health company board President of Philadelphia-based Thomas Jefferson University and CEO of Jefferson Health Stephen Klasko, MD, joined the board for digital health company OODA Health. Mayo ramping Google partnership back up and plans to open AI factory The pandemic shifted strategic focus and investments for Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic as the system sought to treat patients safely and using resources responsibly during the early days. CIO/HEALTH IT 10 health systems cut IT jobs in the past year Some hospitals and health systems have downsized their information technology departments during the past year due to restructuring, lost revenue during the pandemic and outsourcing. Roper St. Francis employee email hack exposes 6,000 patient medical records Charleston, S.C.-based Roper St. Francis Hospital began notifying 6,000 patients Sept. 3 that their medical records and information had been exposed after a hospital employee's email account was hacked, according to local ABC affiliate WCIV. OCR updates HIPAA resources for cloud computing, mobile health apps: 3 details HHS' Office for Civil Rights on Sept. 1 updated its previous Health App Developer Portal and changed it to a HIPAA resource page for cloud computing, mobile health apps and application programming interfaces. Waving 'a magic wand' over the EHR: 7 hospital execs share the tools they'd add overnight Seven chief innovation and digital officers from hospitals and health systems across the U.S. share the tools on their EHR wish lists. Cerner names new chief strategy officer: 4 things to know William Mintz will serve as Kansas City, Mo.-based Cerner's new chief strategy officer. CMO/CARE DELIVERY HCA hospital staff link device malfunction, patient death to understaffing A patient at North Suburban Medical Center died in May after staff members failed to change the battery on the individual's pulse oximeter in a timely manner, according to a state inspection report cited by The Denver Post. Michigan NP sentenced to probation for reusing rectal devices on patients, fraud A Michigan nurse practitioner received probation after pleading guilty to healthcare fraud and reusing single-use rectal pressure sensors on several patients, according to Booth Newspapers. COVID-19 response efforts could reduce flu toll, CDC says Widespread adoption of social distancing and other measures to control the spread of COVID-19 could lead to a less severe flu season in the Northern Hemisphere, a new CDC report found. Biggest clinical priorities within the next 3-5 years: 3 CCOs weigh in As clinicians continue to work on the front lines of an ongoing pandemic, policies and protocols promoting efficient care delivery while supporting the well-being of providers and patients is essential. 5 nurse leadership styles to know All nurses are leaders, regardless of their title, and must identify the leadership style that works best for them, Kimberly Gibbons, DNP, RN, a nurse midwife and clinical instructor at Manchester-based Southern New Hampshire University, wrote in a Sept. 8 blog post. THOUGHT LEADERSHIP Living Like a Leader: A day in the life of Paul Viviano, CEO of Children's Hospital Los Angeles "When the pandemic first showed up, I asked our leaders who could do so safely to be present, to be here, be visible and ensure we are leading by example since we are designated as an essential service. There was a lot of pressure to have team members work remotely, but I asked my direct reports to refrain from working from home routinely. I wanted our presence to be felt by the entire team." Becker's Clinical Leadership Virtual Event: 5 Qs with Dr. James Kravec, market chief clinical officer at Mercy Health Youngstown As part of an ongoing series, Becker's is talking to healthcare leaders who plan to speak at the first Becker's Healthcare Clinical Leadership Virtual Event Sept. 9-10. Tampa General CEO John Couris: Taking a step back to reflect amid COVID-19 There is no question that COVID-19 has changed the way we operate day to day. One thing that has remained constant — and should be respected — is the unpredictability of it. Spectrum Health CEO Tina Freese Decker on accomplishments, history and health equity Tina Freese Decker's nearly two decades of leadership at Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Spectrum Health have allowed her to address healthcare challenges such as access and affordability. Now, as president and CEO, she is also helping drive change in health equity. 4 questions with Kevin Conroy, CFO and chief population health officer at CareMount Medical Kevin Conroy serves as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Population Health Officer at CareMount Medical.

September/October 2020 Issue of Becker's Clinical Leadership & Infection Control  ON THE COVER Level-up the patient experience with cultural sensitivity and empathy: 4 tactics from Sinai Health's Dr. Airica Steed The patient experience is an important aspect of healthcare delivery and it takes a complete culture shift for organizations to truly put the patient first in all processes and touchpoints. But the shift is necessary to improve quality and perception of care. 7 most common sentinel events this year Care management incidents were the most common type of sentinel event reported in the first half of 2020, according to data The Joint Commission released Aug. 12. Advocate Aurora CNO Adrienne Schultz on her healthcare inspirations, the challenges of being a female leader and striking a work-life balance Adrienne Schultz, MSN, RN, is relatively new to her position as vice president and CNO of Cudahy, Wis.-based Advocate Aurora St. Luke's South Shore, a role which she began in July. However, she brought with her more than 25 years of healthcare leadership experience. NewYork-Presbyterian CXO Rick Evans: How will we rebuild trust with patients now and after COVID-19? In New York City, the summer has brought a strange and unfamiliar mix of both relief and anxiety. 'I'm fighting a war against COVID-19 and a war against stupidity,' says CMO of Houston hospital After two hours of sleep a night for four months and seeing a member of his team contract the virus, Joseph Varon, MD, is growing exasperated. 6 potential long-term side effects of COVID-19Researchers "don't yet fully appreciate" what happens after a patient recovers from a serious case of COVID-19, said Anthony Fauci, MD, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, as reported by CNN. Physician viewpoint: COVID-19 visitor restrictions may hurt more than they help Visitor restrictions intended to limit the spread of COVID-19 in hospitals could "inadvertently harm patients more than the virus itself," two physician leaders wrote in an op-ed for The Philadelphia Inquirer. How the pandemic is affecting HAI rates Early data from two hospitals in New York City and St. Louis suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic will cause an uptick in some healthcare-associated infections, researchers wrote in a commentary published in the American Journal of Infection Control. Polio-like condition in kids likely to spike this fall, CDC warns Based on previous trends, cases of acute flaccid myelitis, a polio-like condition in children, may spike in the U.S. between August and November, a new CDC report shows. HCA hospital staff link patient death to understaffing A patient at North Suburban Medical Center died in May after staff members failed to change the battery on the individual's pulse oximeter in a timely manner, according to a state inspection report cited by The Denver Post. 4 common pitfalls to avoid after a medical error How healthcare organizations respond to medical errors has greatly evolved in the last few decades. Transparency and accountability have emerged as key tenets of this process, aligned with hospitals' efforts to build a culture of safety and continual clinical improvement. The top-rated hospitals for patient experience, state-by-state Using the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems scores from CMS, Becker's has compiled a list of the best hospitals for patient experience in each state. Hospitals either received five or four patient summary star ratings. AMA: 15 steps to care for healthcare workers before, during and after crisis While a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic or a natural disaster will inevitably cause stressors for physicians and other health professionals, there are steps organizations can take to promote workforce well-being before, during and after such events, according to the American Medical Association. How US News' top 10 hospitals are addressing health disparities The COVID-19 pandemic and deaths of Black Americans such as George Floyd have spurred many health systems to take increased focus on addressing systemic racism and health disparities. As a result, organizations are implementing various initiatives, from outreach programs to education to recruiting a chief diversity officer. CRNA salary by state The average salary for certified registered nurse anesthetists in the U.S. is $181,040, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment Statistics survey May 2019, the most recent data available. INFECTION CONTROL Don't write off neck gaiters yet, researchers say Neck gaiters are still a viable option to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and are likely better than wearing no mask at all, researchers and health experts told The New York Times. CDC shares flu shot recommendations for 2020-21 season The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices shared updated flu vaccine recommendations for the 2020-21 season in its most recent Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report published Aug. 21. How the pandemic is affecting HAI rates: 5 things to know Early data from two hospitals in New York City and St. Louis suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic will cause an uptick in some healthcare-associated infections, researchers wrote in a commentary published in the American Journal of Infection Control. 23 staff, 13 patients positive for COVID-19 after Massachusetts hospital employee visits virus hot spot Thirteen patients and 23 employees at a Massachusetts hospital have tested positive for COVID-19 after an employee recently traveled to an out-of-state virus hot spot area, The Boston Herald reports. Vaccines 'remarkably safe,' study finds Two decades' worth of data shows vaccines are "remarkably safe," a study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found. PATIENT SAFETY 7 most common sentinel events this year Care management incidents were the most common type of sentinel event reported in the first half of 2020, according to data The Joint Commission released Aug. 12. Ohio board suspends licenses of 2 nurses linked to Mount Carmel patient deaths The Ohio Board of Nursing suspended the licenses of two nurses in connection to 2018 patient deaths at Columbus, Ohio-based Mount Carmel Health System, reports CBS affiliate WBNS. National action plan aims to reenergize hospitals' patient safety efforts An expert committee convened by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement created a national action plan to help health systems refocus and reenergize patient safety efforts. OB-GYN practice countersues Prisma Health, alleges 'deteriorating' care quality and 'abysmal' conditions Nine obstetricians and gynecologists say they were forced to leave Columbia, S.C.-based Prisma Health due to "deteriorating" care quality and persistent safety issues at the system's Baptist Hospital, according to an Aug. 14 legal filing cited by The State. Michigan psychiatric hospital did not remove staff after alleged abuse or neglect, audit finds An audit by the state found that Kalamazoo (Mich.) Psychiatric Hospital failed to remove accused employees from patient contact after investigation of abuse or neglect allegations. PATIENT & CAREGIVER EXPERIENCE COVID-19 'long haulers' take symptom research into own hands A group of COVID-19 patients with prolonged symptoms created their own research group to explore why a subfaction of patients still feel sick long after contracting the virus, reports MIT Technology Review. 1 in 3 patients may have neurological issues after COVID-19, experts say At least one-third of COVID-19 patients may experience lingering neurological issues after recovering from the infection, health experts told STAT. Lehigh Valley Hospital apologizes after patients report meal delays Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Allentown, Pa., is apologizing after patients said their meals were regularly delayed or not delivered, according to The Morning Call. Physician viewpoint: COVID-19 visitor restrictions may hurt more than they help Visitor restrictions intended to limit the spread of COVID-19 in hospitals could "inadvertently harm patients more than the virus itself," two physician leaders wrote in an op-ed for The Philadelphia Inquirer. CMS probe finds New Mexico hospital violated patient rights with 'informal' COVID-19 testing policy A CMS investigation found Lovelace Women's Hospital in Albuquerque profiled pregnant Native American women for COVID-19 testing and separated them from their newborns without adequate consent until test results came back, according to New Mexico In Depth and ProPublica. QUALITY IMPROVEMENT & MEASUREMENT CMS shares proposed star ratings changes: 4 takeaways CMS has outlined proposed changes to the Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating methodology, which would take place next year. Study links higher ICU bed occupancy to more COVID-19 deaths The number of hospital beds occupied by COVID-19 patients in a state is strongly linked to mortality, a study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found. No link between blood type and COVID-19 severity, Harvard researchers say A patient's blood type does not influence whether he or she will have a more severe case of COVID-19, a study published in Annals of Hematology found. 5 ways hospitals can boost clinician engagement in quality improvement Dedicated time, mentorship and participation in a professional quality improvement network are the most significant factors to nurture clinicians' self-efficacy and effectiveness in QI, according to a study published in International Journal for Quality in Health Care. Healthgrades recognizes 162 hospitals for maternal care Healthgrades has identified 162 hospitals as the recipients of its 2020 Women's Care Awards, the organization said Aug. 11 NURSING SPOTLIGHT Viewpoint: White House COVID-19 task force needs a nurse The White House coronavirus task force should include a nurse to help make the best public health decisions, according to an op-ed penned by Anna Dermenchyan, RN, PhD, and Kristen Choi, RN, PhD. Virginia nurse creates free pantry for colleagues A Virginia hospital nurse created a free pantry to help colleagues struggling to buy food or other household items during the pandemic, reports CNN. Sinai Health, DePaul University to target health disparities in Chicago Sinai Health System and DePaul University, both based in Chicago, will create a research institute to address health and social inequities in the city, the institutions announced Aug. 31. CRNA salary by state — Wyoming is No. 1 at $243,310 The average salary for certified registered nurse anesthetists in the U.S. is $181,040, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment Statistics survey May 2019, the most recent data available. 'It's an insult': Nurses from South, West say many there doubt COVID-19 threat Some nurses who volunteered to treat COVID-19 patients in New York City are returning to friends and family in the South and West who doubt the virus is real or underestimate the pandemic's severity, reports The New York Times.