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.

Hospital pays $32.5M to family of baby who suffered brain damage during birth
The incident happened in 2018 when clinicians at Reading Hospital failed to recognize fetal distress and respond accordingly.
Measles is on the march from airports to places near us
The U.S. eradicated measles in 2000. Today it’s making a comeback. What explains the unhappy revival?
Active surveillance of cancer won’t expose docs to malpractice
A new study from researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center should put minds at ease that the conservative management approach will not result in litigation when guidelines are followed.
HBO’s John Oliver skewers state medical boards over ‘oopsies!’
"[S]ome states, including—until recently—Texas, even employ an honor-system approach, which relies on physicians to self-report. But guess what? The bad doctors tend not to do that, because they’re bad doctors."
Daylight saving time boosts malpractice severity, payouts
As most of the U.S. shifts to daylight saving time this week, a new study reveals that malpractice severity and payment decisions are higher in this part of the year than during standard time.

Medtronic warns of unauthorized sale of dangerous products

Before they were stolen, the McGRATH MAC laryngoscopes in question were set to be destroyed.

October 2, 2023

Patients admitted with C. diff not a significant source of in-hospital transmission

Hospital patients who test positive for Clostridioides difficile immediately upon admission but show no symptoms are highly unlikely to spread the germ to other inpatients.

September 21, 2023

Wellbeing of current and future physicians by the numbers

Nearly 8 in 10 physicians might balk before seeking mental healthcare due to perceptions of stigma around doctors admitting they need that kind of help.

September 18, 2023

FDA warns public not to use certain pregnancy tests due to safety, accuracy issues

The agency shared a list of 15 diagnostic tests that should not be used by patients going forward.

August 15, 2023

U.S. News: Out with overall hospital rankings, in with alphabetically ordered ‘honor rolls’

U.S. News & World Report has posted its annual list of America’s best hospitals. But be warned. If you’re checking to see whether Mayo Clinic occupies the overall top spot for the eighth straight year, you’ll go down looking.

August 2, 2023

private equity corporatization business consolidation

Private equity-backed healthcare services bring more harm than good to patients, report reveals

Given the rapid growth of PE ownership in healthcare, the report's concerning data give pause to how such entities should be regulated, experts involved in the work suggested.

July 25, 2023

Top 20 children’s hospitals for cardiology and heart surgery

Did your facility make the cut? For its 2023-2024 list, U.S. News and World Report evaluated data from 119 hospitals and surveyed thousands of pediatric specialists.

June 21, 2023

How a New Hampshire heart surgeon racked up 21 malpractice settlements

A law firm hired to investigate the situation reviewed more than 300,000 pages of documents and conducted more than 250 hours of interviews.

June 14, 2023

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business

Cardiologist salary update: Compensation jumps to $525K per year, No. 3 among all specialties

In addition, cardiologists average an additional $75,000 per year in incentive-based bonuses. That number is only higher for two other specialties.

Cardiovascular Business

Critics call out ‘woefully inadequate’ CMS proposal for inpatient Medicare payments

CMS has issued its proposed rule for the 2025 Medicare hospital inpatient prospective payment system, suggesting a payment increase of 2.6%. According to the American Hospital Association, this update would not be enough at a time when hospitals are already struggling to stay open.

Cardiovascular Business

Johnson & Johnson to acquire Shockwave Medical for $13.1B

The rumors, it seems, were true. Once the deal is finalized, Shockwave Medical will operate as a business unit within Johnson & Johnson MedTech.

Quality

Hospital pays $32.5M to family of baby who suffered brain damage during birth

Measles is on the march from airports to places near us

Active surveillance of cancer won’t expose docs to malpractice

HBO’s John Oliver skewers state medical boards over ‘oopsies!’

Daylight saving time boosts malpractice severity, payouts

Around the web