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There was an article regarding EMRs that needs to be seen. the first is from Brown University that polled 744 physicians in both hospital and private practice. The private practice physicians bring the computers into the exam room but the hospital ones do the data entry later, so they can get better scores on the Ganey studies. This also give them less time with the patient so the processing can be done. Both groups had the same complaints, problems with patient interaction and time with the patient. Some physicians actually do the data entry at home ruining their home life. Overall most comments skewed in the negative toward EMRs.
Two stories on the same day are interesting. The first says Ocare marketplaces just had their most profitable quarter ever. Insurers received almost $300 per insured. This is double what they earned three years ago. This is due to the ever rising premiums. The other article states fewer insurers are applying to participate in Ocare. If they are making money why not participate? Only 141 insurers have applied versus 227 last year. The article believes it is due to the uncertainty in the subsidies but it is doubtful that any change would happen in the next year.
In a fascinating article the Kaiser Health News reports that contamination at Germany's LivaNova plant that made the open heart cooling machine were the cause of a world wide outbreak of Mycobacterium chimaera infections. This was found by following the DNA back to the source. This was not the total cause since local contamination also existed.
A new report shows that Medicare's hospital expenses (Part A) will run out of money in 2029. This is one year later that the report last year.
British Prime Minister May has ordered an inquiry into the scandal from the 1970s and 1980s where thousand were infected and thousand died from contaminated blood. The questions are how the infected blood supply got into Britain and was there a government cover-up at that time over the lack of pulling the infected supply. Top
Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong is a Billionaire who owns a company called NantWorks, a genome company. He has competed the takeover of management of six California hospitals from Daughters of Charity. The former surgeon now in pharmaceuticals and genome testing will use the hospitals as testing grounds for his products. He also will upgrade the facilities at the hospitals.
If you lose money on one thing you can not make it up on volume. This is a lesson that Palomar Health needs to learn. The Escondido, California, hospital will continue to pour money into a losing situation of their medical foundation. They have decided to forgive a line of credit from Arch Health Partners for $76 million in principal and another $6 million in interest. To get this the medical group has to become an equal partner in the hospital's present and future debts, now a staggering $550 million. The medical group represents a debt this year of $14 million and an additional $11 million next year. Ah yes, bankruptcy solves all.
The Houston Chronicle has an interesting story about the recent hospital CEOs losing their jobs. The boards are ousting their execs for having declining reimbursements. They believe it is the CEO's fault for not adapting soon enough to the new national trend of outpatient treatment and value base care. In the past six months 30 CEOs nationwide have lost their jobs, many for involuntary reasons. Houston has lost four recently and only one was for advancement. Top
At least 21 states have passed or are considering legislation to protect physicians who do not want to do the MOC exams. The rules will forbid basing state licensure, insurance panels, med mal insurance coverage or hospital privileges on the passing of these exams. Top
DISCLAIMER: Although this
article is updated periodically, it reflects the author's point of view at the
time of publication. Nothing in this article constitutes legal advice. Readers
should consult with their own legal counsel before acting on any of the
information presented.