Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Only 6 Southeast Michigan Hospitals Get 'A' Grades For Patient Safety
The Detroit Free Press: Study: Area Hospitals Need To Improve Patient Safety
While six southeast Michigan hospitals received top grades in prevention of avoidable errors, accidents and infections, many more have work to do to improve their performance, according to a study released today. Southeast Michigan Hospitals receiving A grades in the Hospital Safety Scores spring ratings published by the national nonprofit watchdog the Leapfrog Group were the University of Michigan’s hospitals and health centers; Garden City Hospital; Huron Valley-Sinai in Commerce Township; St. Joseph Mercy in Chelsea; St. John River District near St. Clair, and Promedica Bixby Hospital in Adrian. (Helms, 4/25)
Health News Florida: Hospital Group Hopes New Residency Slots Will Help Address Doctor Shortage
Florida is facing some serious doctor shortages in the next decade because of growth and an aging population. A statewide hospital network hopes more residency slots will help. The Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida is hoping to boost the number of doctors in Florida by creating 66 medical residencies for new doctors. (Miller, 4/22)
The Associated Press: Williamsburg Psychiatric Hospital Loses Medicare Funding
Eastern State Hospital no longer has Medicare funding after a survey found it did not comply with requirements of participation for psychiatric hospitals. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently submitted a termination notice, effective April 21, citing the hospital’s failure to correct a set of deficiencies surveyors noticed during a June survey of the Williamsburg hospital, the Daily Press reported. (4/22)
The Concord Monitor: N.H. Hospital Psychiatrists Look To Unionize
Dr. Matthew Davis has treated patients at New Hampshire Hospital – a state-run psychiatric facility in Concord – for the last four years. But come June 30, Davis isn’t sure where his job will stand. He’s part of a group of 17 psychiatrists and nurses at the hospital trying to unionize as it faces a change in employer and a dearth of information. (Morris, 4/23)
The San Jose Mercury News: Three Thousand Nurses At Stanford Hospitals, Clinics, Prepared To Call Strike
Thousands of nurses from Lucile Packard Children's Hospital and Stanford Hospitals and Clinics said Friday they are prepared to call a strike after failing to reach a deal in three days of mediation with hospital administrators over wages and benefits. (Seipel, 4/22)
The San Antonio Express-News: 'No Disruption' After Blue Cross, HCA Reach Deal On Texas Facilities
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas has reached a deal with Hospital Corporation of America that avoids dropping the health care system's Texas facilities from the insurer's network come May 1 after their existing contract would have expired, Methodist Healthcare System announced late Friday. (O'Hare, 4/23)
