Hospitalization rates as a result of pressure ulcers have risen dramatically over the last 15 years, according to a report from the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
CMS expert: Economic crisis could bankrupt Part A in eight years
Dec 03, 2008
Healthcare officials in recent years have projected that the Medicare Part A trust fund would become insolvent by 2019. Now some are saying that the program could run out of money even sooner as a result...
C. difficile more widespread in hospitals, APIC finds
Nov 12, 2008
More hospital patients have Clostridium difficile than previously thought, according to a new study by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.
Nursing homes lead healthcare field in use of electronic health records
Nov 10, 2008
A new report shows that, when it comes to adopting electronic health records, nursing homes around the country are leading the charge in healthcare.
Kindred posts loss in third quarter on poor hospital results
Nov 03, 2008
Kindred Healthcare Inc. widened its loss in the third quarter to $21 million or $0.56 per share, while revenues grew by a slight 1%.
Pain management still lacking in hospitals, patients say
Oct 31, 2008
A recent nationwide survey of hospital patients finds room for improvement in the area of pain management.
Hospital IV therapy may drain Medicare Part D, news analysis finds
Oct 16, 2008
The Medicare Part D insurance plan may be wasting billions of dollars on intravenous drug treatments. Because it does not cover many of the drug-related costs of home-care treatment, patients have to go...
‘Never event’ Medicare reimbursement rules now in effect
Oct 02, 2008
As of this month, Medicare no longer is reimbursing healthcare facilities for “reasonably preventable” medical errors. Also, hospitals are not allowed to charge patients directly for medical...
HHS to release blueprint for reducing healthcare-associated infections
Sep 25, 2008
The Department of Health and Human Services expects to release a draft action plan regarding the reduction of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) before the next president takes office, the agency...
Medicaid beneficiaries slower to receive emergency heart-attack care
Sep 24, 2008
A new study adds to an established body of evidence showing that poor people and Medicaid beneficiaries are slower to be treated for heart attacks than counterparts with more money or better insurance....