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Measles outbreak: How doctors can change anti-vaccine minds
By Anna Almendrala, NBC News When Theresa Ward had her first child 14 years ago, the Pittsburgh mom followed the pediatrician’s recommendations and fully vaccinated her son on schedule. But when the boy turned 3, Ward began to worry about risks associated with vaccines, like fever or rare, but serious allergic reactions. She also feared… -
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How telemedicine keeps patients in rural communities healthy
March 26, 2019 •By Veronica Combs Technology is often blamed for taking away jobs. In the healthcare industry, radiologists—the people who read MRIs and CT scans—are worried about being replaced by algorithms. One type of technology may actually save healthcare jobs, particularly in rural areas: Telemedicine. Consulting with a patient via video also has the potential to… -
CMS considers tossing hospital star-rating methodology
March 22, 2019 •By MARIA CASTELLUCCI The CMS is considering scrapping the model it uses to assign hospital star ratings, signaling a big shift from the agency’s stance just seven months ago. In conjunction with releasing new ratings on the Hospital Compare website Thursday for the first time in nearly 15-months, the agency also opened a public comment page for… -
Nursing Homes Are Closing Across Rural America, Scattering Residents
By Jack Healy, New York Times MOBRIDGE, S.D. — Harold Labrensz spent much of his 89-year life farming and ranching the rolling Dakota plains along the Missouri River. His family figured he would die there, too. But late last year, the nursing home in Mobridge, S.D., that cared for Mr. Labrensz announced that it was… -
Three Ways Rural Hospitals Can Reverse Financial Distress
February 28, 2019 •By Michael Morgan, VP Due Diligence and Strategic Analysis , Community Hospital Corporation Thin margins have long been a reality for most rural hospitals, but a worsening array of issues—from increasing charity care and bad debt to declining reimbursements and rural populations—have forced growing numbers of them into financial distress. Despite today’s challenging operating environment, many rural… -
The Rural Hospital and Health System Affiliation Landscape: A Brief Review
February 25, 2019 •The shift from traditional fee-for-service to value-based payment requires major capital investment. Rural hospitals may be challenged by the volume-to-value transition because they may lack resources necessary to support new delivery models. As a result, many rural hospitals have considered affiliations with larger, better-funded regional health systems. However, rural hospital leaders often struggle to find… -
AHA Report Outlines Challenges Affecting Rural Communities, Opportunities to Ensure Access to High-Quality, Affordable Care
February 11, 2019 •WASHINGTON – The American Hospital Association (AHA) recently released a report outlining the persistent, recent and emergent challenges that threaten rural hospitals’ ability to maintain access to health care services in their communities. The report, Challenges Facing Rural Communities and the Roadmap to Ensure Local Access to High-quality, Affordable Care, underscores the importance of local access… -
CALS COURSES UPDATE:
UPCOMING CALS Courses: The CALS course offering in Eau Claire, WI on Mach 27-29, 2019 still has availability. If you are in immediate need for CALS certification or re-certification, this location is the perfect opportunity to get the CALS training. See the CALS calendar to get registered! CALS WISCONSIN: MARCH 2019 Trauma Module – Eau… -
Americans More Likely to Die From Accidental Opioid Overdose Than Motor Vehicle Crash
January 23, 2019 •Itasca, IL – For the first time in U.S. history, a person is more likely to die from an accidental opioid overdose than from a motor vehicle crash, according to National Safety Council analysis. The odds of dying accidentally from an opioid overdose have risen to one in 96, eclipsing the odds of dying in a…