Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Covid Hospital Visit Limits Show Benefits Of Visitors In Health Care
Stat: Covid Shows How Barring Bedside Visitors Deprives Patients Of The Best Care
For Teresa Ciappa, home was other people — and for the people in her life, Teresa Ciappa was home. Teresa hemmed pants, crocheted booties, and decorated wedding cakes for anyone who asked, and many who didn’t. To her five grandchildren, whose teddy bears she lovingly patched up, the sunny Italian emigrant was “Dr. Nonni.” Among her family and friends, Teresa was the one who kept in touch, even from across an ocean, the one who never forgot a birthday or anniversary. When she was hospitalized with Covid-19 in late 2020, Teresa’s tight-knit network watched her decline week after week through a virtual portal. “She would tell us, ‘I want to come home. I miss everybody,’” Michelle Ciappa, her only daughter, told STAT. “As soon as we hung up, we just fell apart.” (Renault, 7/28)
Health News Florida: Sarasota Memorial Hospital Changes Visitors Policy Due To COVID Spike
Sarasota Memorial Hospital is among the first hospitals in the greater Tampa Bay region to change its visitation policy because of the recent spike in COVID-19 cases. Starting Tuesday, the hospital will allow visits only between noon and 6 p.m. In addition, the number of patient visitors allowed will also be limited. Most inpatients, including those in the Critical Care Unit, are allowed no more than two visitors per day during visiting hours. (Schreiner, 7/27)
Kens5.Com: University Health Reinstates Coronavirus Visitation Restrictions As Infection Rates Rise
University Health says it will reinstate visitor restrictions starting Wednesday, a sign that the coronavirus continues to be a major threat in San Antonio and beyond. Citing hospitalizations "climbing at an alarming rate," UH officials said in a press release that visits will be limited to those "deemed necessary to the patient's care," including parents of NICU infants; individuals providing support for patients with disabilities; support for critically ill patients; and support for women giving birth. (Lynch, 7/27)
Itemonline.com: As COVID Cases Rise, Huntsville Memorial Hospital Tightens Rules On Visitors
As COVID hospitalizations climb in South Texas, local health care systems are tightening rules once again on allowing visitors. Huntsville Memorial Hospital announced Monday that it will implement a more restricted visitation policy than what it had previously. The hospital will allow one healthy visitor into medical and surgical units with the expectation that the visitor and patient will be masked at all times. Two visitors will be allowed in Labor and Delivery. (Brown, 7/27)
In other health industry news —
USA Today: US Hospitals Struggle To Reduce Health Disparities: Minority Patients Underrepresented In 4 Of 5 Hospitals
Most U.S. hospitals are still disproportionately treating white patients for common services, a report published Tuesday shows, despite serving racially and ethnically diverse communities. A U.S. News & World Report analysis of federal data from 2015 through 2019 compared more than 1,400 hospitals with the racial or ethnic makeup of each hospital’s surrounding community. Researchers found racial and ethnic minorities were underrepresented among patients in roughly 4 out of 5 hospitals in the country. This is the first time U.S. News included a health equity analysis in its annual Best Hospitals rankings. Although the health equity component was not factored into the rankings, they can be found at the bottom of each hospital's profile. (Rodriguez, 7/27)
Modern Healthcare: Highmark Health Launches Digital Transformation Consultancy
Integrated health system Highmark Health launched a consulting business on Tuesday aimed at helping healthcare companies and others digitize their operations. Named Lumevity, the new subsidiary will focus on helping customers identify automation opportunities, operate under the Agile methodology and help executives and front-line employees alike navigate operational changes. The Pittsburgh-based healthcare company will look inward to inform its customers' strategy—Highmark credits its technology and HR moves for contributing nearly $500 million in profit and freeing 8 million hours of time for its 35,000 payer, provider and IT employees over the past three years. (Tepper, 7/27)
