Quality news and information

St. Francis Medical Center, Lynwood, Calif., named Dr. Judi Binderman its first chief medical information officer, effective Sept. 30.
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A group of large employers including retail giants Wal-Mart Stores and Lowe's Cos. announced they will offer their employees coverage for hip and knee implant procedures with no cost-sharing if they receive the procedures at one of four previously selected hospital systems.
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New research calls into question the validity of using post-operative blood clot rates as a metric of hospital quality. According to a study published Monday in the Journal of the American Medical Association, rates of venous thromboembolism—a term that includes pulmonary embolism and deep...
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According to one physicians group, healthcare reform is summed up as an epic experiment to see if access can be expanded and quality improved, at the same time, while curtailing costs. The majority of doctors are wary, at best. Those who run their own practice, a declining breed, wonder how much...
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According to a recent National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, there are about 1 billion patient office visits in the U.S. annually. This is the number of opportunities medical practice executives have to make a difference in a patient's experience and perspective on healthcare delivery.
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Tri-City Medical Center says it's moving on from a losing four-year legal battle with competitor Scripps Health.
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California Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation Oct. 1 that will expand the ability of pharmacists to serve patients and collaborate with other healthcare providers, resulting in greater access to care and improved quality and efficiency, according to a news release.
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A Medicare test of accountable care in Wisconsin slowed cost growth last year for about 20,000 seniors. That's good news, of course, to economists and policymakers. But for hospitals, the news was not all good because most payers continue to reimburse on a fee-for-service basis rewarding more...
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As healthcare providers work to adopt electronic health records and achieve Stage 2 meaningful-use standards, most Americans are confused and concerned about the transition from paper to digital, according to a survey by Xerox.
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WellCare Health Plans, Tampa, Fla., announced on Sept. 30 that it has entered into an agreement to buy certain assets of Healthfirst Health Plan of New Jersey.
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