Healthcare News of Note: U.S. Surgeon General says the nation must stop health worker burnout
Healthcare News of Note for healthcare finance professionals is a roundup of recent news articles: U.S. Surgeon General says healthcare worker burnout is a national issue that must be addressed, the Digital Health for Equitable Health Alliance was just launched, and a survey shows funding is needed for ACOs to provide more home-based services.
Cost Effectiveness of Health Report, March 2022
The March 2022 edition of HFMA’s Cost Effectiveness of Health Report addresses a key prerequisite to achieving cost-effectiveness: engaged caregivers. A preview of the April 2022 hfm cover story details how one health system has responded to its nurses’ need for increased scheduling flexibility, and a commentary explores steps for enabling physicians to play a leadership role in promoting CEoH. Also included is a Q&A exploring activities on the world stage aimed at achieving the United Nation’s sustainable development goals for healthcare and health equity – and how U.S. organizations can play a role.
Bringing the healthcare back to healthcare
Affording greater freedom to physicians to practice medicine by easing administrative strictures on them may be the best strategy for ultimately promoting cost effectiveness of health, says Martin Bluth. But physicians also should be well educated in the economics and business of healthcare.
6 ways to ease physicians’ burden from coding, documentation and risk adjustment
The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the need for U.S. health systems to gain physician cooperation in documenting and coding patient risk. Yet these organizations also should be mindful of the administrative burden many physicians feel from having to perform these processes, which has contributed to feelings of burnout among them. This article describes six steps hospitals and health systems can take to help ease the administrative burden for physicians, which is necessary to ensure the future quality and effectiveness of the nation’s healthcare system.
Congress passes legislation to support programs designed to bolster mental health among healthcare professionals
Hospitals will be among the potential recipients of federal grants for establishing programs that support the mental health and well-being of healthcare professionals.
Martin Bluth: Blood donation — Why it should be on healthcare finance leaders’ radar
Blood donations should be a top-of-mind concern for hospital and health system finance leaders given that a steady supply of blood donations is among the most critical lifesaving needs for their organizations.
When real estate is part of a physician affiliation strategy, ‘renters or owners’ is a key consideration
When health systems consider using real estate as an incentive in a physician affiliation strategy, they must decide early whether to create physician owners or renters. Strategic considerations will differ significantly depending on the path chosen.
Healthcare News of Note: Many new cancers in the U.S. may be going undiagnosed, a study by Quest Diagnostics shows
Healthcare News of Note for healthcare finance professionals is a roundup of recent news articles: Many new cancers may be going undiagnosed, research and media exposure leads to a reduction in hospitals suing patients for unpaid medical bills, and positive interactions with leadership boost healthcare worker well-being.
Expense increases offset physician practice productivity and revenue gains
Physician groups across the country saw productivity and revenue improvements in the second quarter of 2021 compared with both the same period in 2020 and pre-pandemic levels seen in Q4 2019, according to Kaufman Hall’s latest Physician Flash Report. However, significant increases in expenses and continued high levels of physician investment compared with the pre-pandemic period remain areas of concern.
How human capital analytics can help providers attract and keep top talent
Many healthcare workers have considered leaving the field after the COVID-19 pandemic. One company provides details on how to motivate the qualified employees with more than just compensation, benefits and rewards.