Quality

The focus of quality improvement in healthcare is to bolster performance and processes related to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Leaders in this space also ensure the proper selection of imaging exams and procedures, and monitor the safety of services, among other duties. Reimbursement programs such as the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) utilize financial incentives to improve quality. This also includes setting and maintaining care quality initiatives, such as the requirements set by the Joint Commission.

Heroes

U.S. News shuffles the deck with 2020 ‘Best Hospitals’ package

The honor roll, which recognizes 20 hospitals that excel in numerous care concentrations, is only part of a “Best Hospitals” package the publication has retooled for this, the year of the pandemic. 

July 28, 2020
Hospital Safety Map

Where does your state place on hospital safety?

Maine has topped all states in two separate five-year categories of hospital safety—percentage of “A” grade hospitals (57.1%) and average annual placement in these rankings (3.63). How did your state do?

July 15, 2020

Retracted hydroxychloroquine study leads health journals to rethink data sharing

Two major journals in the healthcare space are reviewing what happened and how to move forward with data requirements after a controversial study on the impact of hydroxychloroquine led to a retraction and backlash.

June 11, 2020

3 authors of controversial hydroxychloroquine study retract paper

Three authors of a research study on the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine in COVID-19 patients published in The Lancet have retracted their paper after it was met with backlash and scientific questions.

June 4, 2020
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Scientists, physicians question research on hydroxychloroquine

A group consisting of 140 scientists and physicians has spoken out against a study published in The Lancet that found an association between the use of the drug hydroxychloroquine and a higher death rate among COVID-19 patients.

June 2, 2020
Whiteboard

10% of patients with a ‘big three’ disease are misdiagnosed

The most commonly missed condition seems to be spinal abscess, an infection that can cause paraplegia yet was fumbled in more than 62% of cases.

May 14, 2020

Coronavirus cases in the US top other countries

The U.S. has surpassed the rest of the world with the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, according to data from Johns Hopkins.

March 27, 2020

CMS found ‘immediate jeopardy’ situations in nursing home where coronavirus ravaged residents, staff

CMS conducted an inspection of a nursing home based in Kirkland, Washington, the Life Care Center, considered to be the epicenter of the state’s outbreak of the new coronavirus, and is planning to inspect more nursing homes impacted by the virus.

March 24, 2020

Around the web

Five of the largest U.S. medical societies focused on cardiovascular health are one step closer to seeing their paradigm-shifting proposal become a reality.

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions and Society of Thoracic Surgeons have both shared statements in support of the ban, which is already being challenged in court. The American Hospital Association, meanwhile, opposes the policy shift, saying it “errs by seeking to create a one-size-fits-all rule”

Alison Bailey, MD, co-chair of the business of cardiology sessions at ACC.24, emphasized that reimbursement cuts can have a long-term negative impact on patient. 

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