Literature Review

Researchers compared hospital early warning scores for clinical deterioration—Here’s what they learnedJAMA Network; Roy Perlis, MD, MSc; Jennifer Abbasi; 1/24This conversation is part of a series of interviews in which JAMA Network editors and expert guests explore issues surrounding the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and medicine. Arecent head-to-head study at Yale New Haven Health System compared 6 different early warning scores designed to recognize clinical deterioration in hospitalized patients, including 3 proprietary AI tools. Among the best was the National Early Warning Score (NEWS), a publicly available non-AI tool, while the Epic Deterioration Index “was one of the worst” of the batch, the authors reported in October in JAMA Network Open.

California wildfires and healthcare: Compiled articlesCompiled from various news sources; 1/9/25

Top 25 health systems' most-successful digital projects of '24Becker's Health IT; by Giles Bruce; 12/20/24Health systems experienced another year of digital advancement in 2024, with more big EHR moves and a push toward generative AI. Here are the most successful IT projects and top digital trends of the year, as told to Becker's by the head technology leaders at top 25 health systems across the U.S.

'Never waste a good crisis': The keys behind a Louisiana system's financial comebackBecker's Hospital CFO Report; by Alan Condon; 12/27/24Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, a 10-hospital system headquartered in Baton Rouge, La., achieved a $241 million turnaround in fiscal year 2024 under the leadership of CFO Mike Gleason, who told Becker's the feat was "a total team effort." By reimagining operational strategies, shifting from a holding company to an operating company model, and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, the 10-hospital system not only stabilized its finances but positioned itself for sustained growth. Mr. Gleason joined the Becker's Healthcare podcast to discuss the strategies that turned a financial crisis into an opportunity for sustainable growth and strengthened the health system's ability to reinvest in its people and future.

Holistic and seamless: How health systems advocate, Mass General Brigham are advancing at-home care Home Health Care News; by Joyce Famakinwa; 1/6/25 A big part of the evolution of health systems has been more meaningful engagement with the home as an extension of brick-and-mortar operations. In recent years, organizations like Advocate Health and Mass General Brigham have exemplified this shift. These major health systems are reevaluating their home-based care capabilities and partnerships, and leveraging technology and innovative care models–including hospital-at-home–to enable more integrated and cost-efficient services. ... In August, the organization was awarded $4.6 million from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services to study short-term rehab at home. The study is a randomized controlled trial that examines the impact of delivering short-term rehab care at home compared to a traditional post-acute care setting.

Here’s what experts expect for hospitals in 2025Healthcare Brew; by Cassie McGrath; (emailed 1/6/25) 12/5/24Two experts talked with Healthcare Brew about possible upcoming trends in leadership development and health equity initiatives, and they’re also eyeing potential changes to federal regulations for drug discount programs as well as Medicare and Medicaid. Here’s what providers are anticipating for 2025, according to industry experts. [Including:]

Current challenges in neurocritical care: A narrative reviewWorld Neurosurgery; Safa Kaleem, William T. Harris II, Stephanie Oh, Judy H. Ch'ang; 1/25Neurocritical care as a field aims to treat patients who are neurologically critically ill due to a variety of pathologies. As a recently developed subspecialty, the field faces challenges, several of which are outlined in this review ... [including confusion around] brain death testing or the diagnosis of brain death itself ... Given these difficult scenarios encountered in the neuro-ICU, conversations with patients’ decision-makers are often done with the assistance of palliative care services ... the most common reasons for palliative care consultation in the neuro-ICU were discussing prognosis, eliciting patient and family values, understanding medical options, and identifying conflict. Collaboration with hospital chaplains and palliative care services can be helpful, but cultural humility also needs to be a priority for neurocritical care providers to be able to navigate difficult conversations.

Memorial Health Systems puts visitor restrictions in place due to respiratory illness surge The Marietta Times, Marietta, OH; 12/31/24 Visitor restrictions have been put in place at all Memorial Health Systems facilities because of a surge in patients with respiratory illnesses, the the health care system announced Tuesday [12/24/24]. The restrictions are two visitors per patient, visitors must be 18 or older and show no signs of illness and all minors must be accompanied by an adult, Memorial Health said. Exceptions may be permitted for:

The next health system C-suite obsessionBecker's Hospital Review; by Laura Dyrda; 12/30/24 Health system executives spent the last few years building financial stability after the pandemic and adjusting to workforce shifts. Those areas will remain important in 2025, but a new obsession for C-suite executives is emerging. Or, more accurately, re-emerging. Solving capacity issues and becoming more efficient with patient throughput is a top priority for next year, several CEOs and top health system executives recently told Becker's. Many are operating at or near capacity, especially with workforce challenges persisting, and leadership teams are looking for immediate solutions. ... A recent survey from Vizient shows 52.8% of hospital and health system leaders see patient access, throughput and capacity as top focus areas for 2025. Volumes are still elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels, according to Kaufman Hall's "National Hospital Flash Report," and while growth has slowed this year, leaders are still contending with big capacity issues.

10 headwinds for health systems in 2025Becker's Hospital Review; by Laura Dyrda; 12/23/24Healthcare executives are preparing for 2025, a year likely filled with profound challenges and big opportunities. From workforce shortages to financial pressures, technological advances, and policy uncertainties, 74 health system executives and leaders shared their biggest headwinds heading into next year. The big themes include:

Hospital CEOs: What to expect from CMS next yearBecker's Hospital CFO Report; by Laura Dyrda; 12/13/24Healthcare providers will face more reimbursement challenges next year, S&P Global predicts, especially as demographic shifts increase the number of Medicare beneficiaries in many markets. Factors likely to pressure providers next year include:

25 Hospital closures in 2024 Becker's Hospital CFO Report; by Madeline Ashley; updated 12/27/24, 3:06 pm CT Many hospitals and emergency departments have been forced to close in 2024 due to circumstances like high costs and shifts in care needs. Becker's has reported on 25 hospital and emergency department closures in 2024. [Click on the title's link to view the list.]

U.S. health care spending reaches $4.9 trillion Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 12/20/24 The nation’s total health expenditures rose 7.5% to $4.9 trillion in 2023, a new analysis by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) found. This growth took place at a faster pace in 2023 than prior years. In 2022, health care spending rose at a rate of 4.6%. Total Medicare hospice spending accounted for $25.7 billion last year, according to a separate report from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC). ... About 21% of U.S. health care spending in 2023 was via Medicare, with private insurance representing a 30% share. Medicaid accounted for 21%, and the remaining 10% were out-of-pocket costs. “Hospital care, physician and clinical services, and nursing care facilities and continuing care retirement communities, which collectively accounted for 33% of all out-of-pocket spending in 2023, were the main contributors to the faster growth in 2023,” CMS indicated.