Hospital Roundup: Dartmouth-Hitchcock To Lay Off Hundreds; Indian Health Services ER To Shutter in S.D.
Hospitals and medical centers in New Hampshire, South Dakota, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, Minnesota, Florida, Missouri, Wisconsin and Washington are in the news.
New Hampshire Public Radio:
Dartmouth-Hitchcock's Layoff Announcement Stirs Mistrust With State Officials
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center is responding to a firestorm of criticism over its announcement to lay off between 270 and 460 employees by the end of this year. The hospital broke the news just two days after accepting a $35.5 million contract from the state. Some say Dartmouth-Hitchcock should have disclosed the layoffs before accepting the contract. (Rodolico, 9/13)
New Hampshire Times Union:
Pledge: Layoffs Won't Affect State Hospital
The CEO of Dartmouth-Hitchcock pledged that layoffs at the health care system would not touch the state’s psychiatric hospital after news of the cuts sparked a political firestorm over the weekend. “There is absolutely no connection between the employment actions we are taking at DHMC (Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center) and our clinics, and our work at New Hampshire Hospital,” Chief Executive Officer James Weinstein said in a written statement issued on Monday. Weinstein said the layoffs — up to 460 — would not affect the state hospital, and that Dartmouth-Hitchcock continues to recruit personnel “to address mental health issues across New Hampshire.” (Solomon, 9/13)
The Associated Press:
Feds To Close Indian Health Service Hospital's ER
The emergency room at the Indian Health Services hospital in Rapid City, South Dakota, will close indefinitely, the federal government announced Tuesday, a move that some tribal officials say will threaten lives.The Sioux San Hospital emergency department is set to be closed on Sept. 20 due primarily to the age of the facility and equipment, IHS officials said, though the hospital will continue to offer urgent care services around the clock for needs that are not complicated or life-threatening. (Kolpack, 9/13)
WBUR:
Baker Administration Calls For Focus On Treatment, Not Punishment, At Bridgewater Hospital
On Beacon Hill Tuesday afternoon, key members of the Baker administration briefed legislators on a new plan to shift the approach on treatment of men at Bridgewater State Hospital. The facility treats mentally ill people who have been charged with or convicted of crimes. (Brown, 9/13)
NJ Spotlight:
NJ Hospitals Join Forces To Reduce Deaths Caused By Sepsis
New Jersey saved nearly 400 patients from dying of sepsis, an elusive but deadly infection, last year. The reason: a collaboration among dozens of hospitals and other healthcare organizations and their efforts to share diagnosis data, treatment protocols, and lessons learned. Working together under the leadership of the New Jersey Hospital Association, the group was able to dramatically reduce the occurrence of sepsis, a systemic infection that can trigger inflammation and major organ failure. (Stainton, 9/13)
The Baltimore Sun:
Hopkins Asked To Stop Research Involving Residents Working Long Hours
Two advocacy groups have asked Johns Hopkins to stop participating in a study looking at whether allowing medical residents to work long hours hurts patient care...Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group, and the American Medical Student Association said the study is unethical because patients aren't aware they are part of the research and have not consented to participating. They also say working long shifts leaves residents tired and more prone to making medical errors. (McDaniels, 9/13)
The Star Tribune:
Ending The Allina Nurses' Strike In A Classroom
On Labor Day, 4,800 nurses represented by the Minnesota Nurses Association went on strike against the five hospitals of Allina Health. The strike continues at great cost to the nurses and Allina, as well as possible risk to patients, who are being cared for by 1,500 replacement nurses. Despite having agreed on many issues, the two sides are stuck on the central issue: Allina wants to replace four health plans covering union workers with plans that cover Allina’s nonunion employees, the majority of its workforce. (Feldman, 9/13)
Orlando Sentinel:
UCF Picks HCA As Hospital Partner
The UCF board of trustees chose HCA on Tuesday as its partner for establishing a 100-bed academic teaching hospital near the medical school in Lake Nona. The decision comes less than two months after the school announced that it was getting ready to build a teaching hospital that's long been in its plans and was looking for a partner. Tuesday's announcement is still a long way away from a groundbreaking celebration. (Miller, 9/13)
Kansas City Star:
Two Small Health Care Facilities Approved In Overland Park
Proposals for a micro-hospital and a skilled nursing facility in the area near Shawnee Mission Health, 9100 W. 74th St., were heard by the city council and planning commission at separate meetings Monday. Although some neighbors voiced concerns, both plans ultimately met with approval. The planning commission recommended approval of a special-use permit for Sunbelt Healthcare Centers to put a 120-bed skilled nursing facility at the address of the former McEachen Administrative Center of the Shawnee Mission School District, 7235 Antioch Road. (Hammill, 9/13)
Houston Chronicle:
Iconic Tower In Medical Center Sold
The Texas Medical Center's most recognizable landmark now belongs to Texas Children's Hospital. The hospital announced Tuesday that it has acquired the O'Quinn Medical Tower, well known for the spires atop the building often described as resembling a pair of hypodermic needles. Texas Children's did not disclose the purchase price, but the 29-story tower cost $95 million to develop in 1990. (Ackerman and Sarnoff, 9/13)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
New Humana Plan Excludes Froedtert, Children's
Humana Inc. has launched a new group health insurance option in Wisconsin that continues a trend toward narrower networks as a way to hold the line on costs.Dubbed the Wisconsin Value Network, the new system is aimed at employers of fewer than 1,000 people. Humana said it will begin quoting prices on health plans in the network on Oct. 1, with coverage beginning Jan. 1. (Romell, 9/13)
Seattle Times:
UW Medical Center Intensifies Testing After Legionnaires’ Disease Death
University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC) officials are stepping up testing of the hospital environment — and patients — in the wake of two cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the past month, including one in a patient who died. So far, officials have taken 70 separate samples from various hospital sites, including showers, scrub sinks, patient sinks, ice machine and operation-room equipment, all potential sources of the infections that cause a dangerous type of pneumonia. (Aleccia, 9/13)
The Star Tribune:
UnitedHealth's Optum Unit Makes Big Push Into Urgent Care In Minnesota
UnitedHealth Group's Optum division is making its largest push thus far into patient care in Minnesota with up to 19 new urgent care centers planned by the end of 2017. Operating under the brand name MedExpress, two of the urgent care centers are scheduled to open Friday in Eden Prairie and Plymouth. Final tallies and precise locations for the other clinics could change over the next 15 months, company officials said. But the current plan calls for 12 urgent care centers in the Twin Cities and another seven beyond the metro. (Snowbeck, 9/13)
