Elizabeth Gregerson
A new benchmark for hospital quality: 5 study notes
The rate of older adult patients discharged to post-acute care facilities following a major surgery can be used as a benchmark for hospital quality, according to a study published Aug. 14 in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. Researchers evaluated data from 277,160 patients aged 65 or older…
Read MoreTrinity Health Michigan taps chief nurse
Trinity Health Michigan has appointed Michelle Peña, MSN, RN, regional chief nursing officer. She will step into the role Aug. 31 and will be responsible for all nursing operations, including workforce development, operational efficiency and clinical excellence, according to a news release. Ms. Peña will report to Trinity Health Michigan’s…
Read More1st human case of screwworm parasite found in US
The first human case of a flesh-eating parasite has been detected in the U.S., NBC News reported Aug. 25. The case involved a Maryland person who had recently traveled to El Salvador. The CDC confirmed they were infected with “New World screwworm.” Here’s what to know: 1. This is the…
Read MoreWith Chart Chat, Ambience aims to unlock AI ‘magic’
While paper documentation still lingers in certain areas of health system operations, today’s physicians are largely spared from the manual record retrieval and clunky metal filing cabinets that were commonplace before the rise of the EHR. However, physicians still face significant cognitive burden in the form of clicks and time…
Read MoreMetroHealth to close 6 outpatient locations as part of stabilization plan
MetroHealth plans to close six outpatient offices in October to improve operational efficiency and stabilize its finances. The Cleveland-based system said services offered at the affected sites will be consolidated to larger locations and enable it to expand services and hours of operation, according to an Aug. 25 news release.…
Read MoreTrump’s rollback of Biden competition order stirs CEO debate
The healthcare industry is once again recalibrating after President Donald Trump revoked a Biden-era executive order aimed at limiting hospital consolidation. While some health system leaders see the move as a green light for growth and regional alignment, others remain skeptical, warning that systemic challenges — from payer leverage to…
Read MoreThe adaptive ‘muscle’ CHROs are working to build
Workforce planning is more complex for healthcare chief human resources officers as the effects of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act come into focus and AI adoption accelerates. Amid this environment, leaders are taking a calculated approach, weighing evolving employee expectations alongside compensation and benefits, while collaborating with other executives…
Read MoreMost US generics made abroad, data shows: 4 notes
Medications are rarely made from start to finish in a single country; raw materials, active ingredients and final products often cross multiple borders before reaching patients in the U.S., The New York Times reported Aug. 23. Here are four notes: According to data shared with the Times by U.S. Pharmacopeia,…
Read MoreInsight CEO talks reopening, operating 2 hospitals with ‘chains off’
In early August, Flint, Mich.-based Insight Health System shared plans to reopen two of its Warren, Ohio, hospitals, Insight Hospital and Medical Center Trumbull and Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital, which have been temporarily closed since late March. The two facilities halted operations due to ongoing bankruptcy and financial challenges stemming from…
Read More10 statistics on the competitive physician hiring market
The market for physicians is becoming more intense as hospitals and medical groups compete for a shrinking pool of talent. Current projections from the Association of American Medical Colleges show the U.S. faces a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036, and the demand for care will likely increase…
Read MoreBoston Scientific recalls vascular stent over injury risk
Boston Scientific issued a recall of its Carotid Wallstent Monorail Endoprosthesis due to a manufacturing defect that could cause resistance during device withdrawal. Affected units were found to have an inner lumen smaller than specified, creating a risk of resistance when removing the stent delivery system, according to an Aug.…
Read MoreMaternal care crisis gives way to new health system executive roles
A growing number of hospitals and health systems have expanded their C-suite ranks in the last few years to include leaders dedicated to advancing maternal and infant health, reflecting a new level of urgency as hospitals work to address longstanding disparities in outcomes and prepare for a projected rise in…
Read More20 hospital closures in 2025
Becker’s has reported on 20 hospital and emergency department closures in 2025: Editor’s note: This article will be updated continuously. 1. Willows, Calif.-based Glenn Medical Center plans to close its emergency department, with the hospital closing shortly after, following CMS’ plan to revoke its critical access hospital designation, effective Oct.…
Read MoreUniversity Hospitals cuts 2,812 policies
In the last four years, Cleveland-based University Hospitals has sought to reduce administrative burden and clinical guidance inconsistencies through an audit of thousands of systemwide policies. As of July, the system has retired 2,812 policies it described as duplicative, burdensome or both. Oftentimes, the organization’s policy did not reflect each…
Read More1,000 UPMC hospital nurses unionize
Nurses at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh have voted to unionize, in what SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania called the largest nurse organizing effort in Pennsylvania in at least a decade. The union filed a request for an election with the National Labor Relations Board on May 27. On Aug. 19-23, nurses…
Read MorePayer mix in the largest for-profit health systems
The nation’s largest for-profit health systems have filed their second-quarter earnings reports, detailing payer mixes by patient service revenue, patient admissions or both in the first six months of 2025. HCA Healthcare (Nashville, Tenn.) Payer mix by net operating revenues as of June 30: Commercial: 49.2% Managed Medicare: 18% Medicare:…
Read MoreThe most vital skills for healthcare workers in the next 10 years
As healthcare continues to transform, many workforce leaders agree that the skills needed for tomorrow’s workforce go far beyond the traditional way of thinking. With shifting patient needs, AI and new technologies emerging, adaptability and a willingness to evolve will be crucial for employees at every level. Becker’s connected with…
Read More59 healthcare leaders share their biggest wins in value-driven care
Becker’s asked C-suite executives from hospitals and health systems across the U.S. to share their most recent value-driven wins. The 59 executives featured in this article are all speaking at the Becker’s Healthcare 13th Annual CEO+CFO Roundtable on November 3 – 6, 2025 at the Hilton Chicago. To learn more…
Read MoreBrain tumors linked to traumatic brain injury: 3 study notes
A history of traumatic brain injury may be associated with an increased risk of developing a malignant brain tumor, according to a study published Aug. 25 in JAMA Network Open. Led by a team from Somerville, Mass.-based Mass General Brigham, researchers evaluated patient data from more than 75,000 people with…
Read MoreMississippi issues public health emergency over infant mortality rate
The infant mortality rate in Mississippi has reached its highest level in more than a decade, prompting state health officials to declare a public health emergency. The move will enable state health officials to mobilize resources quickly and work with community partners to improve maternal and infant care, the state’s…
Read MoreHow leaders would use an extra $100M in clinical work
If you were handed $100 million earmarked for clinical work, where would you invest it first? This is the question Becker’s posed to two hospital leaders. Their responses come down to what kind of investment matters most to their community and their system. Editor’s note: Responses have been lightly edited…
Read MoreGeorgia system halts physician group deal amid DOJ probe
Gainesville-based Northeast Georgia Health System has paused its acquisition of Longstreet Clinic after confirmation that an unspecified number of Longstreet physicians are under investigation by the Justice Department, a spokesperson for the health system told Becker’s. The nature of the investigation has not been disclosed. Longstreet Clinic employs more than…
Read MoreCNIOs share top barriers to nursing adoption of new technology
Chief nursing informatics officers say introducing new technology to nursing staff is less about resistance to innovation and more about the realities of practice. Twelve-hour shifts, varying levels of digital literacy and the constant pressure to prioritize patient care make it difficult to carve out time for training. Even when…
Read MoreOchsner’s virtual ED helps 70% of patients avoid in-person visits
New Orleans-based Ochsner Health was able to cut emergency department visits with its virtual ED, according to an article published Aug. 22 on the American Medical Association website. The virtual emergency department service was launched in October. It runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week and…
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