April 29, 2009
The UK BBC News website is running a worthwhile diary of Guadalupe and Arturo...doctors working in the Mexico City area, battling swine flu and talking about how it affects the health community. Guadalupe works in cardiology and her husband works in the emergency services.
Dr. Kreuger and other members of iMedExchange are doing a great job of disseminating information and engaging in rational dialog about preparedness and other surrounding issues.
April 23, 2009
Kudos to Mayo Clinic for embracing social media in a comprehensive way. Check out their own recap: 10 Ways You Can Use Mayo Clinic's Social Media Tools.
They were featured earlier on this Good Morning America Spot.
April 9, 2009
The New York Times article Doctors Are Opting Out of Medicare highlights two important trends "Two trends are converging: there is a shortage of internists nationally -- the American College of Physicians, the organization for internists, estimates that by 2025 there will be 35,000 to 45,000 fewer than the population needs -- and internists are increasingly unwilling to accept new Medicare patients."
The article goes on to discuss concierge medicine as an alternative.
KevinMD has some thoughts to add in his post: Once you hit Medicare age, good luck finding a doctor
April 8, 2009
The wave of provider institutions banning industry interactions of most types continues with the recent move at Johns Hopkins. The Wall Street Journal blog post Johns Hopkins Bans Free Drug Samples, Gifts from Industry covers the latest move.
I'd like to hear from providers including our members from Johns Hopkins. Send me a comment or email and let me know what you think. I know from talking to many of you that there is little consensus on this issue.
March 3, 2009
A KevinMD.com post posits that the skyrocketing salaries of hospitalists is a result of market demand that's not going away anytime soon. He references an article from Today's Hospitalist entitled: "Do we make too much money? Version 2.0?" and his comments are not exactly in sync with the conclusion of the author.
March 2, 2009
A Los Angeles Times article circulating on FierceHealthcare discusses a report just released from Thomson Reuters in which the financial condition of hospitals is even more dire than previously thought.
The Thomson Reuters analysis concludes that about 50 percent of U.S. hospitals are losing money, and that total margins for U.S. hospitals declined last year. The worst-performing hospitals had margins of negative-7 percent, while the best performing hospitals' margins topped 4.5 percent.
According to the research the hospitals' financial predicament was originally driven by investment losses, which began to mount in late 2007 and continued to speed up through mid-2008. Margins on operations were consistent through about the third quarter of 2008.
However, it's unlikely operating margins will remain stable. Forty-four percent of hospitals have seen declines in surgeries, with hip procedures showing the steepest drop-off of 45 percent, according to another survey.
Given these projected losses, 47 percent of hospitals expect to make staff cuts, and 69 percent plan to cancel or delay equipment purchases, according to a survey by Novation.
Let's hear from those of you who are hospitalists and administrators...what's the solution? How are your organizations coping with this challenge?
January 27, 2009
In a sign that the deep economic recession is affecting providers, Karen Caffarini of Amednews reports that hospitals are laying off more and more workers...including physicians. Her article entitled: "Cash-strapped hospitals laying off record number of workers" includes some worrisome statistics.
Like all businesses, hospitals are having to figure out how to work more efficiently. Get more done with less. iMedExchange is working with a growing number of hospitals that realize we offer vehicle to help improve provider communication, retention and a number of other benefits...all of which cost hospitals nothing.
January 22, 2009
The January 2009 edition of Trendwatch produced by the American Hospital Association, does a very thorough job of analyzing the impact of the recession on Hospitals across the country.
The situation is complex and the issues are multi-directional as evidenced by this quote from the analysis "Medicaid reimbursement already does not cover the cost of care. And if states tighten eligibility, more beneficiaries will become uninsured, further stressing hospitals and other providers."
While the analysis in the piece offers little in the way of solutions, it does a solid job of framing the tough questions that lie ahead. A must read for providers of all types and certainly Hospital administrators. Download the analysis here. Trendwatch.pdf
Welcome to the iMedExchange team blog. Entries are written by members of the team to give you a look inside at what we're doing, introduce you to things and people we like, and sometimes just for general entertainment. Thanks for stopping by, and feel free to leave your comments! Most importantly, if you are a physician and not yet a member of iMedExchange, take a moment to join.
