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Most people wouldn't consider sharing a hotel room with a stranger. But for
years, hospital patients have been doing just that, separated only by a curtain.
Those curtains are disappearing as hospitals in Nebraska, Iowa and nationally
are adding more private rooms or converting semi-privates to single-patient.
Consumer demand, privacy laws and even infection control are pushing the trend.
Single rooms are part of a patient-driven approach to health care that includes
valet parking, room service-style meals and online pricing of medical services.
In Omaha, Alegent Health's Immanuel Medical Center broke ground this month on
an $88 million project that includes creating more private rooms. Alegent's
Lakeside and Midlands Hospitals and Creighton University Medical Center also are
getting more of them. So is Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.
The limited number of private rooms at the Nebraska Medical Center is one
reason it scored low on part of a new federal patient satisfaction survey, said
Cindy Owen, a medical center vice president. The medical center has a $20 million project under way that includes
increasing its count of medical and surgical private rooms from 125 to 171 by
next spring, or 46 percent of its total.
"We hear loud and clear from our patients that the preference is to be in
private rooms," said Kathy Bauer, manager of facilities planning for the medical
center.
Click here to read the full article.
— By Michael O'Connor and Rick Ruggles, Omaha World-Herald, May 16,
2008
OMAHA — UNMC Physicians, the physician practice group for the University of
Nebraska Medical Center, has opened a new specialty care center for HIV/AIDS
patients at 804 S. 52nd St., just south of Wohlner's Grocery at 52nd and
Leavenworth streets.
The new center allows the entire HIV team to work under one roof. "We outgrew
our old space," said Susan Swindells, M.B.B.S., the Terry K. Watanabe Professor
of Internal Medicine in the section of infectious diseases and medical director
of the UNMC HIV Clinic. "The new clinic is bigger, has more parking and allows
our whole staff to be under one roof."
Also, the new center is easier for patients to access in comparison to its
previous location in the Lied Transplant Center, Dr. Swindells said. At the new
center, the HIV staff will continue to monitor blood and drug levels and offer
patients advice on how to manage their disease.
UNMC is the only public health science center in the state. Its educational
programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in
Nebraska than any other institution. Through their commitment to education,
research, patient care and outreach, UNMC and its hospital partner, The Nebraska
Medical Center, have established themselves as one of the country's leading
centers in cancer, transplantation biology, bioterrorism preparedness,
neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, genetics, biomedical
technology and ophthalmology. UNMC’s research funding from external sources now
exceeds $80 million annually and has resulted in the creation of more than 2,400
highly skilled jobs in the state. UNMC's physician practice group, UNMC
Physicians, includes 513 physicians in 50 specialties and subspecialties who
practice primarily in The Nebraska Medical Center. For more information, go to
UNMC’s Web site at www.unmc.edu.
— University of Nebraska Medical Center, news release, May 16, 2008
OMAHA — A University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC)-led pilot study that
showed antidepressants can significantly reduce the risk of depression for head
and neck cancer patients is the focus of an article published today in the
Archives of Otolaryngolgy — one of the publications produced by the Journal of
American Medical Association (JAMA).
The study, which was led by UNMC’s William Lydiatt, M.D., and Bill Burke,
M.D., showed that only 15 percent of head and neck cancer patients who took
antidepressants as part of their treatment experienced depression. That’s a
hopeful sign considering that 50 percent of the patients in the study group who
didn’t take antidepressants experienced depression.
"These statistics offer hope for head and neck cancer patients," said Dr.
Lydiatt, division director of head and neck surgical oncology in the department
of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, "because depression is the number one
reason head and neck cancer patients don’t complete treatment."
Click here to
read the full news release.
— University of Nebraska Medical Center, news release, May 19, 2008
Call 9-1-1 and chances are good you will have an emergency responder at your
door within minutes. If you live in the country, it may take a little longer,
but more often than not, a qualified rescue squad will be making sure you
receive the best medical treatment possible in the shortest possible time.
That's no accident. Dedicated professionals — paid and volunteer — spend
years training and practicing for just such an eventuality. And they've had
plenty of opportunities to participate in the real thing.
Last year, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services,
Nebraska's 438 ambulance services and rescue squads responded to 97,866 calls,
an 11 percent increase over the previous year.
Click here to read
the full article.
— McCook Daily Gazette, May 17, 2008
CHICAGO (AP) — Doctors know some patients needing lifesaving care won't get
it in a flu pandemic or other disaster. The gut-wrenching dilemma will be
deciding who to let die.
Now, an influential group of physicians has drafted a grimly specific list of
recommendations for which patients wouldn't be treated. They include the very
elderly, seriously hurt trauma victims, severely burned patients and those with
severe dementia.
The suggested list was compiled by a task force whose members come from
prestigious universities, medical groups, the military and government agencies.
They include the Department of Homeland Security, the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention and the Department of Health and Human Services.
Click here to read the full article.
— By Lindsey Tanner, Associated Press, May 4, 2008
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expects to issue its final
report on the Medicare recovery audit contractor (RAC) demonstration in late May and
announce by summer the four RACs that will run the national program, a CMS
official said. Addressing a Health Affairs teleconference on RACs, Timothy Hill,
director of CMS’ Office of Financial Management, said the RACs collected a total
of $980 million in overpayments from health care providers during the three-year
demonstration, which ran from March 2005 to March 2008. About 84 percent of that
was collected from inpatient hospitals, and 14 percent from hospital outpatient
departments, inpatient rehabilitation facilities and skilled nursing facilities.
Many providers have filed appeals challenging the collections, with many appeals
decided in favor of the provider. Don May, AHA vice president for policy, told
participants that hospitals want to bill accurately the first time, but rolling
out the RAC program nationally should be slowed down until transparency and
oversight of the program can be improved.
— AHA News Now, May 14, 2008
UnitedHealthcare
announced changes to its controversial new inpatient admissions
notification policy. Under the revised policy, hospitals are still expected to
notify the insurer of all inpatient admissions within 24 hours to receive full
reimbursement of their contracted rates. However, United will phase in penalties
for failure to meet the deadline. In addition, any facility that has or will
sign an agreement by May 31 to move to the EDI 278 transaction as the means of
providing notification will not face penalties for any admission until after
March 31, 2009, as long as it is making good-faith implementation efforts. For
weekend and holiday admissions, payment reductions for failure to notify United
within 24 hours will be waived indefinitely for critical access hospitals and
until Sept. 30, 2009 for all other facilities, as long as the notice is received
by 5 p.m. the next business day. In addition, United has developed a new process
for emergency admissions to avoid denials and appeals when a patient’s insurance
information could not be obtained within the needed timeframe. In November,
United said hospitals failing to provide notification within 24 hours of
admission would see a reduction of 50 percent of the average daily payment rate
for each day preceding the notification, or for the entire admission if a
hospital provided notification after 72 hours or not at all. In response to
hospital concerns, United revised the policy in December to allow next business
day notification for weekend and federal holiday admissions through June 30.
— AHA News Now, May 14, 2008
The 2008 NHA Annual Mid-Year Meeting and Golf Tournament will be held June
11-13, 2008 in Kearney, Nebraska. The theme for the 2008 NHA Mid-Year Meeting is
“Going Green: Healthy Hospital Environments & Sustainability." Patients and
staff are more aware than ever of the benefits of going green because it is good
for the environment. Many will make green choices, but the big question remains
– what will it cost? Hospitals have the great potential to effect positive
change by seeing opportunities to influence their own operations. Making these
green choices is necessary for sustaining growth and profitability in the
future. Sessions during this year’s Mid-Year Meeting will provide an overview of
“hot” environmental topics including construction and operations, green
cleaning, pollution prevention and waste reduction. Join your hospital
colleagues in committing to preserve the environment and promote responsible use
of resources.
Topics Include:
• Green Guide for Health Care: Construction and Operations
• MetroHealth Project Certification –
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating
• The Soft Side of Going Green
• Partners in Pollution Prevention
• Sustainability 101 for Health Care
Professionals
• Nebraska Materials Exchange Program
• Special ACHE Category I “In-a-Box” Session on
Friday (non-ACHE members may attend)
• Managing for Morale: Effective Management
Techniques to Retain Your Staff
Sponsors Reception/Entertainment with Tim Gabrielson, Comedian/Magician
Join us for the Mid-Year Sponsors’ Reception and Dinner with
comedian/magician, Tim Gabrielson. Mr. Gabrielson has one goal when he steps on
stage: Keep It Funny. A native of Minnesota, Tim began performing at a local
theme park at age 16. His comedic wit and natural timing combined with magical
prowess quickly made him a park favorite and landed him a contract with a local
agency. He soon became one of the Midwest's youngest and fastest rising
entertainers.
NHA/HFMA Mid-Year Golf Tournament
The Mid-Year Golf Tournament is always one of the favorite events of the
year. On Wednesday, June 11, enjoy the beautiful Kearney Country Club Golf
Course and the camaraderie of other health care professionals, affiliate
members, and members of the HFMA Nebraska Chapter. After the tournament, relax
during the post-tournament awards party at the clubhouse. (Registration begins
at 8:00 a.m. and tee off at 9:00 a.m.)
The Kearney Country Club has been prospering for over 85 years. Its rich
heritage and picturesque 18-hole course set it apart. The now infamous island
green, Hole #17, was completed in 2004 and is the only one in the state. In
fact, more than half of the course is currently surrounded by Kearney Lake and
the Kearney canal. In addition to the course’s scenic views, the Club offers two
practice greens, a full driving range, ample cart storage, frequent golf and
social events, tennis courts, excellent dining, and a multitude of special
occasion facilities and services.
Click
here to download a program brochure and registration information.
OMAHA – A Congressional Sub-committee heard from Alegent Health CEO Wayne
Sensor on May 14 as it examined Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and
consumer-driven health care plans. Sensor and Alegent Health are vocal advocates
for health plans that engage employees to take control of their health and
health care.
“In order to truly change how people viewed health care and to lower health
care costs, we need to encourage people to change their behavior and adopt
healthier lifestyles,” said Sensor. “In designing our consumer driven health
plans, we decided to offer two important features: we made preventive care free,
and covered individuals are offered generous incentives to change behaviors that
place their health at risk. The results we are seeing speak for themselves.”
Click
here to read the full news release.
— Alegent Health, news release, May 13, 2008
OMAHA – In recognition of National Osteoporosis Awareness Month (May),
Creighton University will again offer free bone-density screenings to as many as
500 men and women. To be eligible, individuals must be at least 20 years old,
have not received a bone scan from Creighton’s Osteoporosis Research Center (ORC)
within the past two years, and be among the first 500 callers. To receive a free
scan, please call 280-BONE (2663) no later than May 31. Bone-density screenings
are critical to the prevention and early detection of osteoporosis, a
debilitating disease that can strike both men and women. Postmenopausal women
are at particular risk.
Click
here to read more.
— Creighton University, news release, May 6, 2008
OMAHA — The intestinal transplant program at The Nebraska Medical Center was
one of the first of its kind in the nation when it began in 1990. Today it is
the busiest. During the year 2007, 36 small bowel transplants were performed at
The Nebraska Medical Center, that’s more than any other center in the United
States. Twenty-nine of the small bowel transplants were performed on children,
seven on
adults. “The Nebraska Medical Center is one of the largest and most
comprehensive programs for small bowel transplantation in the world,” said Alan Langnas, D.O., Chief of Transplantation at The Nebraska Medical Center. “We have
a remarkable team of experts and dedicated health care professionals.”
Click
here to read the full news release.
— The Nebraska Medical Center, news release, May 12, 2008
SCOTTSBLUFF — The RehabCenter at Regional West Medical Center (RWMC) is
sponsoring a sport-specific performance camp and six-week Speed, Power & Agility
summer conditioning program for all 2008-2009 senior high school student
athletes (grades 9 through 12).
The sport-specific camp is designed to teach athletes a specific program of
flexibility, plyometrics, strength and conditioning specific to their sport.
Programs are based on sport-specific functional training, which are designed to
train the specific movements that each spot demands. Camp curriculum emulates
game situations while toning and preparing the body. Many sport-specific camps
may cost anywhere from $100 to $150. The RehabCenter is offering this two-day
camp for $25. Click
here for more details.
— Regional West Medical Center, news release, May 15, 2008
FREMONT – Fremont Area Medical Center (FAMC) will again provide the basic
sports screens required prior to sports participation for area high school
athletes, as accepted and suggested by the Nebraska School Activities
Association. Medical Center staff and local health care providers conduct the
exams at no charge to the student-athletes or their parents. This year’s event
will be held on Saturday, June 7, on the third floor of FAMC’s Health Park
Plaza.
During the screens, a team of health care professionals, which consists of
physicians, physician’s assistants, physical therapists, physical therapist
assistants, certified athletic trainers, registered nurses and other medical
volunteers, look for health problems and risks of re-injury from previous
injuries.
Students are expected to attend during their school’s designated time. The
schedule is as follows: Fremont and Bergan Freshmen, 8 – 8:30 a.m.; Fremont and
Bergan Sophomores, 8:30 – 9 a.m.; Fremont and Bergan Juniors, 9 – 9:30 a.m.;
Fremont and Bergan Seniors, 9:30 – 10 a.m.; Mead and Lyons, 10:30 – 11 a.m.;
Yutan, Dodge, Howells, Cedar Bluffs, and Arlington, 11 – 11:30 a.m.; North Bend,
Logan View, and Scribner-Snyder, 12 – 1:30 p.m. Students will not be seen after
2:30 p.m. If you cannot make your scheduled time, contact Mark at (877)
414-6156. Forms are available at each school’s athletic office.
FAMC’s Sports Medicine Program, located within the 12,000 square foot
Rehabilitation Center at FAMC, provides athletic training coverage to nine area
high schools, and offers a Saturday Morning Sports Injury Clinic, Coaches
Clinics and Summer Conditioning Program. For more information on these programs
or any other Rehab/Sports Medicine service, call (402) 727-3329.
— Fremont Area Medical Center, news release, May 20, 2008
The Senate Appropriations Committee yesterday approved an Iraq supplemental
appropriations bill that would postpone seven controversial Medicaid regulations
until April 2009, and ban physician self-referral to new hospitals in which the
physicians have an ownership stake. The bill also would set aside 60,000 visas
for foreign-born registered nurses and physical therapists to work in the U.S.,
where hospitals and other health care providers face a critical shortage of
caregivers. The Senate is expected to take up the bill early next week. Both the
House and Senate versions of the Iraq spending bill would impose a moratorium on
the Medicaid rules, including two that would cut hospital funding by more than
$5 billion over five years unless Congress acts by May 25, 2008.
— AHA News Now, May 16, 2008
In a
comment letter to the Internal Revenue Service, the American Hospital
Association (AHA) said it appreciates
the Service’s efforts to work with the hospital community to address concerns
over the draft instructions for Form 990 and Schedule H. However, the AHA
suggested further improvements to minimize the burden on filing organizations,
achieve greater clarity and consistency, and ensure appropriate accounting for
the wide variety of ways that hospitals provide community benefit. In
particular, the AHA said the IRS shouldn’t exclude hospitals from reporting
under “subsidized services” on Schedule H certain specific types of services,
including physician clinic services, skilled nursing services and ancillary
services, provided that they meet the criteria outlined. “Different communities
have different needs,” said Caroline Steinberg, AHA vice president for health
trends analysis, “which is why hospitals tailor their community benefit programs
to maximize impact. To the extent that these costs meet the IRS criteria for
subsidized services, hospitals should be able to report them.”
— AHA News Now, May 15, 2008
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. will remove all remaining supplies of
Trasylol from hospital pharmacies and warehouses, the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA)
announced
recently. The action follows publication of a study in the May 14 New England
Journal of Medicine that found increased risk of death with the drug, which
was consistent with findings from other recent studies. The FDA plans to review the
data and reassess access to the product once the review is completed. The drug
is used to control bleeding during heart surgery.
— AHA News Now, May 14, 2008
NORFOLK – Laboratory Services at Faith Regional Health Services recently
implemented a new bedside collection system to reduce the chance of specimen
identification errors. Since April, phlebotomists at the hospital have been
transmitting laboratory orders using a wireless handheld device that they carry
during collection rounds. Instantly receiving a specimen request improves the
collection turn around time which allows for lab results to be sent to
physicians faster and patients can receive treatment sooner.
Click
here to read the full news release.
— Faith Regional Health Services, news release, May 13, 2008
The AHA and American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration (ASHHRA) expressed support for H.R. 5924, legislation to alleviate the nation’s growing
shortage of nurses. In a
letter to sponsors Reps. Robert Wexler (D-FL) and James Sensenbrenner
(R-WI), the groups said, “Your bill will help address our current domestic
shortage by providing an exemption from current employment-based visa caps for
nurses. It also helps address domestic supply by establishing a program to help
prepare more nurse educators.” U.S. hospitals had more than 116,000 registered
nurse vacancies last year, and the Department of Health and Human Services
estimates the nation will need 2.8 million new nurses by 2020. In addition,
nearly 150,000 qualified U.S. applicants were turned away from domestic nursing
schools in 2006 due to a shortage of faculty and space. ASHHRA is an AHA
personal membership group for human resource managers in hospitals and other
health care facilities.
— AHA News Now, May 19, 2008
May is National Stroke Awareness Month
FAMC
Free Joint Pain Seminar
May 21, 2008 - Fremont
Customer Service for Health Care Professionals
May 28, 2008 - Hastings, NE
“Use it or Lose It” 55PLUS Community Education
Lunch and Learn
May 30, 2008
Older Adult Falls Prevention Symposium
June 5, 2008 - BryanLGH West. Telehealth sites also available.
NHA-HFMA 2008
Golf Tournament
June 11, 2008- Kearney
Deadline for registration is May 16, 2008
NHA 2008
Mid-Year Meeting
June 12-13, 2008 - Kearney
Deadline for registration is May 30, 2008
Nebraska Hospice and Palliative
Care Partnership training workshops
June 10, 2008 - Lincoln
June 13, 2008 - Omaha
June 20, 2008 - Ogallala
Alegent Health Girls' Day Out
June 14, 2008 - Village Point, Omaha
Click here
for a list
of upcoming NHA audioconferences and Webinars.
Visit the
Events page on the NHA Web site for more information on any of the events.
If you have an event you would like listed in Newslink or on the NHA Web site,
submit it to Heather Bullock, marketing and events coordinator, at
hbullock@nhanet.org.
NHA Newslink is published by the Nebraska
Hospital Association, 3255 Salt Creek Circle, Suite 100, Lincoln, NE 68504-4761.
Phone 402/742-8140, Fax 402/742-8191. Contact Kim Larson, editor, at 402/742-8143 or email,
klarson@nhanet.org.
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