July, 2014

CMS has proposed to close the loophole known as the Sunshine Act that allowed Pharmaceutical companies to pay Physicians under the guise of marketing. Now Pharmaceuticals have to play by the same rules as Medical Device Manufacturers.

In fact, supply chain costs are one of the biggest expenses in any hospital's budget. At close to 40 percent of the operating budget for some institutions, the supply chain represents the second largest expense after labor costs. Because the supply chain occupies an outsized space on the balance sheet, implementing more effective inventory management strategies and improving supply chain performance can have a significant impact, with reductions of 10-12 percent possible with even moderate supply chain improvements.

For a good information on the subject read  "Overtreaded" a book by one of Healthcare's thought leaders Shannon Brownlee <<Click Here>>

This may be harbinger of a greater challenge for capital equipment sales and medical device manufacturers. Thought Leaders and the CMS are starting to demand equipment be based on CED structures (evidence development). In other words new technology must prove clinical efficacy before being sold or adopted.

“In a conversation with AuntMinnie.com, lead author Gross said the results of the study reflect a broader problem with U.S. healthcare: the adoption of new technologies that haven't been proved to improve patient outcomes. "There is a widespread belief in the American healthcare system that newer is better," Gross said, even as "there is virtually no evidence that these newer technologies are better or more effective in terms of saving lives and improving patient outcome..."

In its ongoing quest to align its standards to those of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), The Joint Commission today issued another revision of its rules for preventive maintenance. This document also includes the rules that service providers must follow in order to be in compliance, such as record keeping, and safety checks after a major repair.

Ascension is a Catholic healthcare organization dedicated to the transformation of healthcare through excellent clinical care throughout the continuum of care and through innovation. Ascension is the nation's largest Catholic and non-profit health system, providing the highest quality care to all with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable. Last year Ascension provided $1.5 billion in care of persons living in poverty and community benefit programs. Its Mission-focused Health Ministries employ more than 155,000 associates serving in more than 1,900 sites of care in 23 states and the District of Columbia.

Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin health system today comprises the Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, Community Memorial Hospital in Menomonee Falls, and St Joseph’s Hospital in West Bend, along with more than 30 clinics.

1. Norwalk Hospital Builds $102M New Pavilion

2. Illini Community Hospital Breaks Ground on $4.5M Project

3. Edward Hospital to Open $63.7M Addition

4. Little Falls Hospital Unveils $13M Construction, Renovation

5. Bethesda North Hospital Planning $1.2M ED Renovation to Enhance Geriatric Care

6. Albany Medical Center Plans $22M Upgrade

7. Broward Health North to Begin $70M Expansion, Renovation

8. Gerber Memorial Hospital Unveils $9.6M ED

9. Summerville Medical Center to Construct $8M Medical Office Building

10. Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital Gets Green Light for $8M ED Upgrade

11. Central Florida Health Alliance Opens New Urgent Care Center

The negative outlook reflects challenges Sutter Health is currently facing, including its poor performance in fiscal year 2013 and a capital plan of $5 billion over the next five years. Sutter Health posted a $22 million loss from operations in fiscal year 2013, compared with an operating profit of $549 million in 2012

CMS is considering reducing reimbursement once again for services that hospitals provide impacting rural and the community space the most. "Hospitals should view this move toward site-neutral reimbursement as a harbinger for the future." Pretty cavalier about taking money away from already struggling hospitals in MSR's opinion.