Federal News
Do Hospitalists Improve the Quality of Care?
Traditionally, the same doctors oversaw patients’ care both in and out of the hospital. But in recent years, more hospitals have hired full-time docs known as hospitalists to provide general care to inpatients. So do hospitalists improve care? [Read article]
Prevention May Prove Costly
The latest messages from Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Director Douglas Elmendorf are that expanded use of preventive health measures lead to higher healthcare spending. [Read article]
Hospitals Slow To Use Technology To Halt Errors
A recent survey suggests that only 17 percent of U.S. hospitals use the electronic prescription pad, more formally known as the computerized provider order entry system, or CPOE. Other surveys have found even fewer hospitals use bar coding. [Read article]
12 Ways Health Reform May Improve Care and Save Costs
Uncle Sam is poised to spend $1.1 billion in stimulus funds to compare the effectiveness of 100 treatment categories in coming years, so providers, taxpayers, and insurance premium payers will stop wasting money on worthless care. [Read article]
Wisconsin Hospital's Path Toward Energy Independence
Gundersen Lutheran Health System, which is comprised of 42 facilities in 19 counties in three states, plans to be totally powered by renewable energy by January 1, 2014. [Read article]
Blumenthal Helps Rebut Health Reform Critics
Health IT will arm physicians with patient and treatment data necessary to make wise care decisions. [Read article]
SSA to Expand Electronic Health Record Project
The Social Security Administration announced Friday it has $24 million available for contracts with hospital networks and health information exchanges willing to electronically share the health records of patients seeking disability benefits from the agency. [Read article]
More Americans on the Road to Obesity
A nationwide survey of obesity rates offers very little good news. More than two-thirds of Americans are now overweight or obese, and the percentage is still rising. [Read article]
