http://www.akhcnews.com/index.html Alaska Healthcare News RSS Feed en-us Copyright 2010, David Peel epeel@wahcnews.com (Elizabeth Peel) dpeel@wahcnews.com (David Peel) Tue, 03 Aug 2010 12:00:00 GMT Tue, 03 Aug 2010 12:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss20 http://www.akhcnews.com/images/akhcmasthead.gif http://www.akhcnews.com/index.html 72 13 http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-mossadams-0612.pdf The American Medical Association’s fourth annual National Health Insurer Report Card found that commercial health insurers average a 19.3 percent error rate in processing claims, up 2 percent from the previous year. Mon, 07 May 2012 13:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-mossadams-0612.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-mbessel-0612.pdf What began as a germ of an idea regarding flu vaccinations for all employees, physicians and volunteers grew into a large-scale effort at Banner Health during 2011, with a pilot attempting to achieve 100% vaccination at Banner Ironwood, one of Banner Health’s 23 hospitals in seven states. Mon, 07 May 2012 13:05:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-mbessel-0612.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-jtiscareno-0612.pdf As companies adapt to the everchanging healthcare environment, many leaders must gain board approval, organizational support, or major corporate investment for new technologies, service lines, and other initiatives. A Mon, 07 May 2012 13:10:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-jtiscareno-0612.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-williamskastner-0612.pdf The recent increase in hospitalemployed physicians is expected to continue. This trend is motivated by a quest for unified quality of care, referrals and market share, uncertainty about the overhaul of the healthcare system and reimbursement changes, and physician desire for a better work-life balance. Mon, 07 May 2012 13:20:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-williamskastner-0612.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-mossadams-0512.pdf As the health care reform initiatives begin to take hold, all stakeholders are looking for ways to maintain or increase their market share, and contain costs, by forming strategic alliances. Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-mossadams-0512.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-rcordova-0512.pdf A new era in pediatric and adolescent healthcare was born in Southern California on July 17, 2011. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles carefully moved 191 inpatients into its new 317-bed, $636 million state-of-the-art hospital building, the Marion and John E. Anderson Pavilion Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-rcordova-0512.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-vnielsen-0512.pdf Nearly 40% of the 3.99 billion prescriptions dispensed in the United States during 2010 were prescribed for the treatment of chronic disease states such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and COPD/asthma. Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-vnielsen-0512.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-asutton-0512.pdf Given the steady upward trend of healthcare costs, plan sponsors continue to face the challenge of offering plans that are both cost effective and market competitive relative to industry/community benchmarks. Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-asutton-0512.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-mossadams-0412.pdf In the era of health care reform, one of the most significant issues everyone is facing is increasing costs. Yet organizations that have 50 or more employees can control expenses while maintaining valuable health care options for employees— through proper design and administration of a self-funded plan. Mon, 12 Mar 2012 16:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-mossadams-0412.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-premera-0412.pdf Over the past decade, pharmacy costs have exhibited a trend exceeding that of either medical benefits or general inflation. Pharmacy is generally only 20 percent of the total claim cost, yet it garners a lot of attention. Mon, 12 Mar 2012 16:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-premera-0412.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-akaser-0412.pdf The current uncertainty as to when ICD-10 will become mandatory encourages hospitals and others to reconsider implementation priorities and calendars. Regardless of when the actual implementation date occurs, hospitals and providers are well served to anticipate changes that might occur once the final date arrives. Mon, 12 Mar 2012 16:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-akaser-0412.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-mgellis-0412.pdf In 2008, the U.S. faced a rapidly decreasing market for liposuction due to the onset of the recession. Yet despite the grim outlook Sono Bello, a liposuction clinic performing surgery under awake local anesthesia, opened its doors for the first time. Mon, 12 Mar 2012 16:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-mgellis-0412.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-krebay-0312.pdf Yes, of course, it’s a 10-letter word. But those of us who have been in the health care industry for a while can remember the days of managed care, when capitation was marred by many negative characteristics including an intense and distracting bottom-line focus, inadequate technology that didn’t always facilitate data capture and care management, and a shortage of clinical oversight and involvement. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-krebay-0312.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-gmontgomery-0312.pdf This Time Is Different. The baby-boomer generation is now turning 65 at the rate of 10,000 a day and will continue to do so for the next 18 years. The average 65-year-old spends approximately four times as much on healthcare services as the average 40-year-old. These changing demographics, and the increasing healthcare costs associated with them, create a healthcare environment that differs from the past. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-gmontgomery-0312.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-mburns-0312.pdf According to a Price Waterhouse Coopers report, the number of groups self-funding their health benefits increased by 20% between 2008-2010. The average increase in premiums for plan years 2009 to 2010 was $808 per employee per year for fully-insured plans versus $248 for self-funded plans. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-mburns-0312.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-rhansten-0312.pdf 2012 healthcare leaders must streamline processes, avoid uncompensated hospital acquired conditions, optimize the patient/family experience, compete for top tier patient satisfaction and quality, and provide the best value healthcare in the midst of unprecedented uncertainty in reimbursement along with policy turmoil. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-rhansten-0312.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-dprice-0211.pdf Studies continue to point out that only around 20% of merger and acquisition activity achieves targeted expectations. That is not to say mergers and acquisitions fail, only that they dont meet expectations. This missing the target is consistently attributed to overly enthusiastic expectations, but most often it is due to underestimating the impact of the change on the people and culture. Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-dprice-0211.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-tonnell-1211.pdf Non-unionized health care employers – especially clinics and other non-hospital employers – may feel like the government has made them a target. Mon, 07 Nov 2011 11:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-tonnell-1211.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-dprice-1211.pdf This columns focus on trends and opportunities underscores that, as an industry, we are facing a wide array of opportunities and challenges. Mon, 07 Nov 2011 11:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-dprice-1211.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-jstacy-1211.pdf It is an unfortunate reality of our era that health systems will have to deal with the stresses of patient decontamination. Mon, 07 Nov 2011 11:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-jstacy-1211.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-amasser-1211.pdf Sometimes, a patient needs care your facility can’t offer. Mon, 07 Nov 2011 11:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-amasser-1211.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-williamskastner-1111.pdf The First Circuits August 29, 2011 decision in Tuli v. Brigham & Womens Hospital depicts the harsh financial consequences that may arise when a hospital fails to investigate and reign in a disruptive physician. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 09:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-williamskastner-1111.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-bbl-1111.pdf The view of fraud prosecutions new frontier is becoming clearer with the announcement of substantial new enforcement actions and settlements focusing on the hospitals role in the performance of allegedly unnecessary procedures. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 09:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-bbl-1111.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-lp-1111.pdf As an old Chinese proverb says, Crisis can be used as an opportunity by some. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 09:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-lp-1111.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-crivard-1111.pdf Certain portions of the recently passed health care reform law are in the headlines, and in the courts, as opponents of the legislation seek to roll back or repeal what they view as governmental overreach. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 09:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-crivard-1111.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-dprice1011.pdf After twenty plus years in the belly of America’s healthcare system beast, I am skeptical but not cynical. I no longer look for or believe that there is a silver bullet that will “fix” healthcare. The system is just too complex and fragmented. It’s hard to see how there could be a lever that, when pulled, will align all the practices, incentives and systems into a unified model of care and funding. Fri, 09 Sep 2011 10:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-dprice1011.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-hma1011.pdf In today’s competitive marketplace, where budgets are stretched thin, employers want cost effective alternatives to a traditional medical plan. Companies understand that employees have historically enjoyed relatively robust medical plans that offer coverage with little to no out of pocket cost. Fri, 09 Sep 2011 10:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-hma1011.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-whurlburt0911.pdf Alaskans and Americans face numerous threats to our health and economy. Perhaps none is greater than the challenges to our life expectancy and ever increasing health care costs posed by the medical complications related to our ever worsening epidemic of overweight and obesity. Fri, 09 Sep 2011 10:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-whurlburt0911.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-asmith0811.pdf As hospitalists become increasingly central to the clinical, financial and operational success of their facilities, hospital management must think through their expectations for their hospitalist service in order to promote alignment with the goals and mission of their hospital. Mon, 11 Jul 2011 15:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-asmith0811.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-crivard0811.pdf Health care reform has always been complicated, but the complexity is escalating at an accelerated pace. One of the reasons for this growing intricacy is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), enacted in March 2010, which requires the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a Medicare Shared Savings Program by the start of 2012. Mon, 11 Jul 2011 15:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-crivard0811.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-mossadams0811.pdf Health care reform has placed an increased focus on accountability for quality outcomes and, at the same time, low-cost care. Health care leaders should evaluate the degree to which hospital mergers or affiliations will offer improved quality of care and lower costs in their own facility. Mon, 11 Jul 2011 15:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-mossadams0811.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-shurwitz0811.pdf In 2009 Seattle Children's updated and revised its compensation practices to provide managers with better tools to recognize and reward workplace performance for our more than 4,000 employees.. Mon, 11 Jul 2011 15:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-shurwitz0811.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-lmaslen0711.pdf Healthcare reform is about accountability for care. As a nurse, should someone ask me if I provide quality care, I would answer, "Absolutely." But if they ask me, "What is your data to support that claim of quality care?" Then I may need to say, "I'll be right back with you on that." Tue, 07 Jun 2011 07:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-lmaslen0711.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-rhoward0711.pdf Providers who participate in Medicaid should familiarize themselves with proposed federal regulations published on May 6, 2011 that, if adopted, would substantially impede their ability to challenge Medicaid rate reductions in court. Tue, 07 Jun 2011 07:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-rhoward0711.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-srose0711.pdf After months of anticipation and speculation the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued proposed rules relating to a voluntary Shared Savings Program for Medicare providers and suppliers participating in Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). Under the Shared Savings Program, providers and suppliers will continue to receive traditional Medicare fee-for-service payments under Parts A and B, and be eligible for additional payments if specified quality and savings requirements are met. Tue, 07 Jun 2011 07:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-srose0711.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-nschmit0711.pdf No more disasters! With earthquakes, tornados, floods, hurricanes and other natural events in the news, the goal of no more disasters seems unrealistic. But, is it? Tue, 07 Jun 2011 07:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-nschmit0711.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-dfeider0611.pdf Medical professionals are sensitive to potential claims from employees for age, gender, race, national origin, citizenship, religious, sexual orientation, and disability discrimination or workplace harassment claims. That said, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) which investigates and prosecutes claimed violations of federal employment laws, reports that retaliation claims are on the rise and exceed those alleging any other type of claim at this point in its history. Retaliation is perceived as a "growth industry" for lawsuits. Mon, 09 May 2011 11:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-dfeider0611.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-stoelrives0611.pdf The federal health care reform law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, requires employers to report the cost of employer-sponsored health coverage on employees' W-2 forms. The IRS recently released additional information on this requirement: Notice 2011-28, available at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-11-28.pdf. Mon, 09 May 2011 11:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-stoelrives0611.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-kvillanueva0511.pdf A devastating earthquake. A raging storm. An unrelenting flood. Each of these natural disasters could easily disable or dismantle the best-built health care facility in the world, as recent events in Japan have made all too clear. Thu, 14 Apr 2011 06:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-kvillanueva0511.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-cheard0511.pdf The healthcare market is scintillating with change. There is the prospect of millions of newly insured, wide adoption of electronic health records, and novel mechanisms to insure efficiency and improved quality. Thu, 14 Apr 2011 06:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-cheard0511.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-bcra0511.pdf While Lean design--particularly Lean Production Preparation Process (Lean 3P)--is quickly becoming de riguer on healthcare design projects, even the 3P process itself is subject to streamlining with technological advances. Thu, 14 Apr 2011 06:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-bcra0511.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-lharris0511.pdf The recent Healthcare Reform legislation removed many of the mechanisms health plans had in place to control healthcare costs. Thu, 14 Apr 2011 06:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-lharris0511.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-spaul0511.pdf Healthcare Reform is impacting hospital supply chain management and pushing its evolution. Thu, 14 Apr 2011 06:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-spaul0511.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-mossadams0411.pdf No one knows whether the health care reform law will withstand the series of challenges that now confront it in the courts, Congress, and the states. But one thing is certain: Whether it's through decreasing fraud and abuse or increasing operational efficiency, the drive to cut health care administrative costs will continue, no matter how the health care reform battle turns out in 2011 and 2012. Mon, 07 Mar 2011 10:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-mossadams0411.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-mbricker0411.pdf An emerging issue in the healthcare field concerns the impact of "Adverse Childhood Experiences" on chronic health problems and early mortality. Mon, 07 Mar 2011 10:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-mbricker0411.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-gmennegar0411.pdf Despite the strong push for physician practices to go paperless through the adoption of EMR and EHR, many are still drowning in paper. In the back office, practices are inundated with patient and insurance company payments, EOB's and other mail. Mon, 07 Mar 2011 10:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-gmennegar0411.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-vhess0411.pdf Some healthcare leaders might say it's an oxymoron. But even those who readily believe it is in fact possible to achieve a constant state of "paradise" or "bliss" at work might think that finding or creating Professional Paradise in today's climate of healthcare reform is ludicrous. In fact, in today's business and economic climate, helping employees find their Professional Paradise is no longer an option for leaders - it's a requirement. Mon, 07 Mar 2011 10:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-vhess0411.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-lmossholder0411.pdf When I began my new job at McCann Treatment Center (MTC), I have to admit I was a bit nervous about working there. I've always worked with little kids, but to work with teenagers is more complex. I knew what challenges to expect, and wanted to learn and grow from this new experience, but little did I know that after only a few months I would be tested in every part of my well being. Mon, 07 Mar 2011 10:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-lmossholder0411.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-apgar0411.pdf Imagine being in compliance with federal regulations, no matter how often they change, covering your entire security and privacy footprint, thereby minimizing the legal risks that come with being a healthcare organization in today's world. Sounds dreamy, kind of like head-in-the-clouds type thinking, right? Mon, 07 Mar 2011 10:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-apgar0411.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ca-cwinner0411.pdf Using best practices in hospitals is an important aspect of improving patient outcomes. Our knowledge of healthcare practices has never been greater or communication so rapid and widespread. Yet implementing these best practices continues to be difficult and slow in coming. Mon, 07 Mar 2011 10:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ca-cwinner0411.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/wa-tgba0411.pdf A 6000sf, circa 1950s-60s building, once housing a First Mutual Bank branch, is now the busy site of Overlake Hospital's Downtown Bellevue Clinic, which provides internal medicine care to those who live or work in the downtown Bellevue area. Mon, 07 Mar 2011 10:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/wa-tgba0411.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-stoel0311.pdf Policies prohibiting employees from smoking while on duty are widespread, but a developing trend represents even stricter regulation of employee smoking habits. An increasing number of employers are considering no-nicotine hiring policies, raising the question of the extent to which employers may influence employee lifestyle choices when those choices spill over to the workplace. Mon, 07 Feb 2011 02:30:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-stoel0311.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/az-mayoproton0311.pdf When Mayo Clinic announced construction of a $188 million cancer treatment center, it energized the Phoenix, Arizona area. Not only will the highly precise technology allow patients to have shorter treatment times and fewer side effects, but it also provides what is often a more cost effective solution for patients suffering from particular types of cancer. Sun, 06 Feb 2011 08:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/az-mayoproton0311.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/wa-mthurston0311.pdf A recent Washington State Department of Health study found that about one in three Washington adults ages 25 or older had fasting blood glucose levels indicating pre-diabetes. Sun, 06 Feb 2011 08:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/wa-mthurston0311.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-sstelzriede0311.pdf Responsibilities of audit committees have increased significantly over the past 20 years. Although some committees have shifted to accommodate new structures and operations, many have been slow to embrace the increase in roles and responsibilities, leaving them vulnerable to shareholder and stakeholder scrutiny. Sun, 06 Feb 2011 08:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-sstelzriede0311.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-bsjw0211.pdf Human resource professionals are critical to the success of every organization. As the New Year begins, they should ensure their companies have updated policies and employees trained on new and developing issues. Mon, 17 Jan 2011 06:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-bsjw0211.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/wa-wasca0211.pdf Ambulatory surgery centers are collaborating with public and private health plans to help reduce healthcare costs. We are also actively engaged with the Department of Health on patient safety issues. Learn more in our article. Mon, 17 Jan 2011 06:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/wa-wasca0211.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/az-bannerironwood0211.pdf The ironwood tree provides a place of shelter and refuge from the hot desert sun. Likewise, when Banner Health chose the site of recently opened Banner Ironwood, a previously underserved area gained a healing refuge. "We're in an urban area, but still pretty remote. The next nearest hospital is 14 miles from here," explained Deb Krmpotic, CEO of Banner Ironwood. "Our mission is to make a difference in people's lives through excellent patient care. The ironwood tree's purpose inspires ours, to provide a place of healing and recovery." Mon, 17 Jan 2011 06:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/az-bannerironwood0211.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/co-flight0211.pdf Flight For Life Colorado was the first civilian, hospital-based helicopter program in the nation, and began service in 1972 with a single Aloutte III helicopter. Mon, 17 Jan 2011 06:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/co-flight0211.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-stoelrives0111.pdf The passage of federal healthcare reform in 2010 marks a new era for employer-sponsored health plans. Along with the requirements of other recently passed laws, group health plans must comply with several new provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ("PPACA") summarized in this article. Mon, 06 Dec 2010 06:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-stoelrives0111.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-djohnson0111.pdf Physician reimbursement has been central to the extensive debate over health care reform. Understanding the essentials of physician reimbursement is fundamental to understanding healthcare finance, the recently approved changes to our health care system, and how to respond as those changes take effect. Mon, 06 Dec 2010 06:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-djohnson0111.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-shurwitz0111.pdf A true differentiator between a Personnel and Human Resource function is the level of focus on Strategy. Mon, 06 Dec 2010 06:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-shurwitz0111.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/az-dpeel0111.pdf Arizona hospitals report a wealth of data each year to the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). They are required to report financial, utilization and staffing information using a form called the Uniform Accounting Report (UAR). Mon, 06 Dec 2010 06:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/az-dpeel0111.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/co-dmeyers.pdf The CU School of Medicine advances medical education services to Colorado in many ways. This article will focus on two efforts, Mon, 06 Dec 2010 06:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/co-dmeyers.pdf http://www.akcnews.com/newsletters/ak-pgoldberg1210.pdf Your healthcare organization is being constantly besieged with change and uncertainty: healthcare reform, patient safety, cost reductions, reimbursement changes, etc. There is one certain and mandated change, which if not completed, could bring many of your organization's activities to a grinding halt - the transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10. With a deadline of October 2013, this important project should be close to the top of today's priority list. Wed, 10 Nov 2010 06:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-pgoldberg1210.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-rlahner1210.pdf Such frenzied messages are the stuff of sleepless nights for hospital administrators. But, in spite of administrators' best efforts, these calls are a given hazard of the business, and this was indeed the call received several years ago by a startled Los Angeles hospital CEO. Wed, 10 Nov 2010 06:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-rlahner1210.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-bcra1210.pdf In the healthcare field, we all use a number of different tools to assist us in effective management of our current facilities and sound strategy for future development and growth. We manage using dashboards, spreadsheets, charts, trends, and management reports, among many others. Working with C-level healthcare executives and administrators, we get to see first hand how disparate and disconnected these tools can become, making management less a visual tool and more an "in the numbers" process. Wed, 10 Nov 2010 06:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-bcra1210.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/co-dpeel1210.pdf Colorado health plans, administering health benefits for over 1.5 million people, reported solid financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2010. When compared to the same period in 2009, investment revenues and net income were up and enrollment and total revenues were down. Wed, 10 Nov 2010 06:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/co-dpeel1210.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/or-bbow1210.pdf Two years ago I spent the better part of seven days at the bedside of my eighty-five year old mother who had fallen and was hospitalized in a highly reputable Portland hospital. While the experience was difficult for her, it was profound for me. Despite two decades of hospital employment, I had never spent this amount of concentrated time viewing the world from the standpoint of the person at the center of our work--the patient. Wed, 10 Nov 2010 06:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/or-bbow1210.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-mossadams1210.pdf The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) was designed to simplify health care administration and improve efficiency and cost effectiveness. But much to everyone's surprise, the legislation didn't have a tremendous impact until 2003, when the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services mandated the use of electronic data interchange (EDI) and set standards for information privacy and security. More recently HIPAA introduced a new National Provider Identifier (NPI) system, creating unique identifiers for physicians and health care organizations across the United States. Wed, 10 Nov 2010 06:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-mossadams1210.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-pfrisch0910.pdf Readers of the Alaska Healthcare News are undoubtedly familiar with changes to HIPAA included in the HITECH Act, creating new privacy and security requirements and enhancing current enforcement tools. This article is intended to help organizations take a step back to reasonably ensure they are compliant with HIPAA/HITECH and if not, what key risk areas to address first. As often is the case, many who are intimately involved with compliance sometimes miss critical compliance issues within our own organizations. Mon, 16 Aug 2010 11:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-pfrisch0910.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-dpeel1109.pdf The article describes the best way to find Clinic Practice Manager candidates. Mon, 16 Aug 2010 11:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-dpeel1109.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-bcech0409.pdf Why healthcare organizations must integrate process improvement techniques into their daily work. Mon, 16 Aug 2010 11:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-bcech0409.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-rmadison1110.pdf How two organizations in Alaska are championing the implementation of EHRs Fri, 08 Oct 2010 08:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-rmadison1110.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-wsmall1110.pdf An article about the new disclosure requirements for employee retirement plans. Fri, 08 Oct 2010 08:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-wsmall1110.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-djohnson1110.pdf An overview of current pharmacy reimbursement contracting methods. Fri, 08 Oct 2010 08:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-djohnson1110.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-rlewis1110.pdf Methods for hospitals to guard against RAC audit losses. Fri, 08 Oct 2010 08:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-rlewis1110.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-kbaker1110.pdf Texting Patient Information may violate HIPAA and other privacy laws and this article describes why. Fri, 08 Oct 2010 08:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-kbaker1110.pdf http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-lp1110.pdf What executives need to consider in terms of hospital debt when acquiring or affiliating with another hospital. Fri, 08 Oct 2010 08:00:00 PST http://www.akhcnews.com/newsletters/ak-lp1110.pdf