Literature Review

4 ways to drive transformational change in sustainabilityAmerican Hospital Association; 3/26/24Like a growing number of health care organizations, New Jersey’s Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) system has been on a journey for some time now to reduce its environmental impact and boost sustainability practices. Recent achievements include:

How sales and marketing compensation can get hospices into hot waterHospice News, by Holly Vossel; 3/27/24Regulators are taking a closer look at how hospices pay their marketing and outreach workforces to curb fraudulent activity tied to referral streams. Federal and state regulatory agencies have systems in place to detect fraud, waste and abuse in hospice, and some are honing on oversight of sales, marketing and outreach staff payment arrangements, according to Ellen Persons, shareholder at Polsinelli Law Firm. 

Here’s what a doctor says actually happens when you die United Business Journal, by Nidhi Dhote; 3/26/24Death is the great equalizer; it’s a subject that intrigues and terrifies us in equal measure. Throughout human history, we’ve pondered what lies beyond the threshold of life, seeking answers in religion, philosophy, and science. Yet, despite all our advancements, the mystery of death remains largely intact. ... In this article, we’ll delve into what happens to our bodies when we die, as explained by medical professionals.

Improving the Quality Of Quality Metrics Health Affairs; by Aditya Narayan, Bob Kocher, and Nirav R. Shah; 3/19/24... The landscape of health care quality measures is dynamic, reflecting efforts to enhance patient care, safety, and outcomes. These measures are developed and reimbursed by a variety of stakeholders, including government agencies such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), health care organizations, and independent bodies such as the National Quality Forum and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The development process involves rigorous research, stakeholder engagement, and consensus-building to ensure measures are evidence-based, applicable across different health care settings, and meaningful to patient care.Editor's Note: Read and share this informative, big-picture article about the evolution of healthcare's quality metrics, its tools, and best practices. 

Nominate an influential clinical executive todayModern Healthcare; 3/20/24 Modern Healthcare is seeking nominations through April 15 for our annual 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives awards. The recognition program recognizes clinical leaders across the industry who are paving the way to better health through their executive responsibilities, leadership qualities, innovative ideas, community service and achievements inside and outside of their organizations. Nominations are open.

Care coordination, quality data crucial to hospice referral growthHospice News, by Holly Vossel; 3/18/24Care coordination and quality data will be engines for hospice referral growth. Hospices saw census volumes drop during the COVID-19 public health emergency as facilities nationwide restricted access to patients amid mandated state closures. Providers often turned to electronic communications to reach patients in facility- and community-based settings alike. Adaptability has been among the keys to coping with the pandemic’s lingering punches in referral streams, according to Craig Dresang, CEO of California-based YoloCares. As end-of-life care received a spotlight during a global pandemic, the historical viewpoints around hospice care delivery have been undergoing a “fundamental shift,” Dresang said.

Opportunity uncovered: How COVID-19 accelerated healthcare transformation Managed Healthcare Executive; by Patrick Horine, MHA; 3/6/24The COVID-19 pandemic left an indelible mark on the healthcare landscape, spotlighting critical areas for improvement while accelerating transformations that were already underway. From addressing disparities in equity and access to adopting digital health strategies, the pandemic has forced healthcare to move swiftly to meet urgent needs. First, let us look at some of the issues we had been facing and how these were changed by the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic. ...

6 home care leaders to watch, according to other home care leaders

The best changes 32 healthcare leaders made this year Becker's Payer Issues, by Rylee Wilson; 2/27/24Question: What is one change you made in the last two years that had great results?Leaders in the payer space are making changes to simplify members' experiences, improve equity and level-up the way their teams work together. The 32 leaders featured in this article, part of an ongoing series, [answered this question].

Health system C-suites' buzzword for 2024Becker's Hospital Review, by Laura Dyrda; 2/15/24The last year, 2023, was the year of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Top executives from hospitals and health systems large and small dove deep into ways AI could make their organizations more efficient and elevate patient care. While AI will stay a top priority over the next year, a new buzz word is on the tip of health system C-suite executives' tongues: partnerships. But not just any partnerships. Unique, innovative and outside-the-box partnerships will be essential for hospitals to thrive.

8 C-suite roles to watchBecker's Hospital Review, by Alexis Kayser, 2/8/24In the past year, more than 40 health systems have taken a closer look at their leadership teams — adding, subtracting, redesigning and combining roles to position their C-suites for the future. [Click on the title's link for] eight evolving executive positions Becker's is tracking.

Cambia Health Foundation announces 10th cohort of the Sojourns Scholar Leadership ProgramCambia health foundation; 1/18/24Each Sojourns Scholar receives $180,000 in funding ($90,000 per year over a two-year grant) to carry out an innovative and impactful project in the field of palliative care and execute a leadership development plan designed to support the individual's growth as a national leader in the field. ... Each grantee is a member of an interdisciplinary palliative care team or is otherwise working to advance the field.Click on the link above for descriptions, and then on "Meet Our Cohorts"

Sutter Health announces its first-ever Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer; Dana Beckton to drive diversity, equity and inclusion strategy and initiativesGlobeNewsire; 11/29/23... Beckton will lead the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategy for the California-based integrated health system, while serving as a key member of Sutter’s Executive Leadership Team. She will work directly with Sutter Health President and CEO Warner Thomas and interim Chief Human Resources Officer Gail Lerch to drive DEI programming and initiatives.