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.

HCA Healthcare was recently hit with its second antitrust lawsuit — this time from the city of Brevard, North Carolina, for allegedly engaging in anti-competitive schemes.

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.

April 18, 2024
measles

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?  

April 15, 2024
probably benign abnormalities on mammogram

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.

April 4, 2024
John Oliver doctor routine HBO Max

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."

March 14, 2024
Functional magnetic resonance imaging can offer providers insight into brain connectivity abnormalities and how they correlate with cognitive impairments observed in patients with insomnia. #insomnia #troublesleeping

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.

March 12, 2024
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Hospitals backslide on price transparency test

Pricing transparency report cards for 2024 are out, and the grades for U.S. hospitals have dipped for the first time since the federal government reset the standards in 2021.

March 5, 2024
With advances and increased experience in the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), same-day discharge (SDD) has become increasingly commonplace, but patient selection is key. Antithrombotic therapy may not be necessary for certain transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) patients, according to a new analysis published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

Implementing a same-day PCI discharge pathway boils down to correct patient selection

Safety is key to which individuals are selected for SDD, and there can be benefits to both patients and health systems as this becomes the predominant model of care in elective PCI.

February 20, 2024
oximeter

FDA issues first-ever clearance for OTC oximeter

Masimo's MightySat Medical is the first FDA-cleared pulse oximeter available to consumers without a prescription, which could disrupt the market for the notoriously inaccurate at-home devices.

February 15, 2024

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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