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.

Burnout is now classified by the World Health Organization

WHO has added burnout to its international classification of diseases, giving it an ICD-11 code, the organization announced May 28. While WHO noted burnout is an occupational phenomenon and not a medical condition, it is notable that symptoms can affect health status.

May 31, 2019

CDC: Cancer death rates drop while heart disease deaths rise in the U.S.

Two of the leading causes of death have had opposite trajectories in the U.S. over the last two decades, despite sharing similar lifestyle and health-risk factors.

May 23, 2019

Medicare Advantage outperforms fee-for-service on cost of care, quality

The overall cost of care for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries is 16.7% higher than Medicare Advantage beneficiaries when it comes to caring for dual eligible beneficiaries, according to a recent report from Avalere.

May 23, 2019

Avoidable hospitals deaths dip

Avoidable hospital deaths are on the decline, according to recent estimates from the Leapfrog Group for Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

May 20, 2019

All Children’s gets another extension to meet corrective actions

Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Fla., has been given another extension from federal regulators to correct its problems. The pediatric hospital came under fire in late 2018 after the Tampa Bay Times uncovered widespread problems at the facility, including a rising death rate in the pediatric heart unit.

May 6, 2019

Amputations related to diabetes more likely among black, Latino patients

Amputations that are a result of diabetic complications are a life-changing action when the disease spirals out of control. As the prevalence of the disease continues to rise––30 million Americans are estimated to have diabetes––black and Latino patients are more likely to have an amputation compared to non-Hispanic whites, CNN reports.

May 2, 2019

DOJ: 24 charged in $1.2B healthcare fraud scheme

Twenty-four defendants, including C-suite executives from five telemedicine companies, the owners of dozens of durable medical equipment (DME) companies and three licensed medical professionals, have been charged in what the U.S. Department of Justice is calling one of the largest healthcare fraud schemes investigated by the FBI and HHS.

April 12, 2019
home rehab

Hospital readmissions high for heart patients hastily sent home from skilled nursing

Nearly a quarter of heart failure patients discharged after rehabbing in skilled-nursing facilities (SNFs) are bound to get readmitted to hospitals within 30 days of going home. And those whose stay at the SNF two days or fewer are up to four times more likely to be readmitted than those who stay longer.

April 4, 2019

Around the web

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

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. 

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

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