Action steps for safe use of reprocessed single-use medical devices
In the United States and globally, the use of reprocessed medical devices labeled and marketed by their original equipment manufacturers as “for single use only” has become commonplace. Large health systems have saved many millions of dollars annually and diverted many hundreds of tons of medical waste by using reprocessed…
Medicare reimbursement rates set to rise 1.2% in 2017
Ask any group of ambulatory surgery center (ASC) administrators their greatest concern, and the most likely answer will be “reimbursement.” Specifically, they will say Medicare payments do not keep up with their costs and revenue expectations. It does not help that the rules and formulas established by the Centers for…
Smart marketing helps ASCs attract patients and surgeons--Part 1
Recent developments, including the push to outpatient services, increased consumer engagement, and a focus on outcomes, have made ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) well positioned in the healthcare marketplace. But as with any marketplace, it takes bold thinking and thoughtful strategy to ensure an ASC stands out to consumers, physicians, and…
Salary remains flat as volume increases for OR leaders
OR leaders face an increasing number of stresses, ranging from pressure to trim already lean budgets to searching for staff who could potentially replace them as they contemplate retirement. At the same time, OR leaders’ salaries remain flat, according to results from the 2016 annual OR Manager Salary/Career Survey. Respondents…
Bundled payments: Part and parcel of value-based care
Government and third-party payers are pushing for value-based, rather than volume-based, models of care, yet few hospitals are moving that direction, a survey shows. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires that half of hospitals’ payments be value based by 2018, according to a 2016 Health Catalyst survey…
Editorial
The shift toward value-based payment has gained some momentum with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) July 25 announcement of a proposed cardiac bundled payment model. Under the proposal, 98 randomly selected metropolitan areas would become accountable for the cost and quality of care related to coronary artery…
OR Manager of the Year inspires staff to excel
Consistently striving for excellence and creating a climate of continuous improvement are two drivers of success for Patricia Jean Ljubi, MBA, BA, RN, the 2016 OR Manager of the Year. Ljubi is director of clinical and perioperative services at University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center in Chardon, Ohio. As part of…
Preventing a cyber attack takes commitment--and money
Information technology (IT) has been a lifesaver and a timesaver in healthcare, bringing speed and precision to medical-surgical procedures and replacing paperwork with electronic computation, storage, and communication. But there is a dark side. Systems can be sabotaged, files can be opened, and devices used in surgery can fail at…
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Career Center
- Director of Nursing, Behavioral Health - Signet Health Corporation - Coos Bay, OR
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