News by Topic: Hospitals and clinics

News from the past 14 days. Please visit the News Archive for earlier stories.

Medicare Program: Changes to the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and CY 2010 Payment Rates; Changes to the Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System and CY 2010 Payment Rates; Final Rule     Top Story      Federal Register 
Nov 20, 2009 -- This final rule with comment period from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services revises the Medicare hospital outpatient prospective payment system to implement applicable statutory requirements and changes arising from their continuing experience with this system. In addition, it updates the revised Medicare ambulatory surgical center payment system to implement applicable statutory requirements and changes arising from their continuing experience with this system.

CDC Issues New Estimate of H1N1 Cases, Hospitalizations     Top Story 
Nov 16, 2009 -- AHA News reports that as of mid-October, an estimated 63,000-153,000 Americans have been hospitalized with 2009 H1N1 flu, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced yesterday.

Comment Sought on Health Care Delivery Elements of National Broadband Plan     Top Story 
Nov 16, 2009 -- Comments are being sought by the FCC on the health care delivery elements of the national broadband plan, as well as seeking input relating to the universal service rural health care support mechanism and the rural health care Pilot Program, specifically as such programs may assist in the deployment and adoption of broadband services.

Electronic Health Records Not Yet Making Impact, Patients Turn to Web for Advice
Nov 16, 2009 -- Kaiser Health News reports that as the United States launches "an ambitious program, backed by $19 billion in government incentives, to accelerate the adoption of computerized patient records in doctors' offices and hospitals," a new study of 3,000 hospitals "has found little difference in the cost and quality of care," The New York Times reports.

Kris Sparks Elected President-Elect of National Rural Health Association     Top Story 
Nov 13, 2009 -- The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) congratulates Kris Sparks, director of the Washington State Office of Rural Health and a long-time NOSORH leader, on being elected president-elect of the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) by the organization’s members.

Sebelius Announces Release of Recovery Act Funding to Improve Care in Nation’s Ambulatory Surgical Centers     Top Story 
Nov 12, 2009 -- To reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in stand-alone or same-day surgical centers, the HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced the availability of up to $9 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to state survey agencies in 43 states.

Speak Your Piece: A Rural Medical Miracle     Top Story 
Nov 12, 2009 -- Daily Yonder article tells of the city owned Summersville Regional Medical Center in West Virginia that provides great care and it is among the lowest cost hospitals in the U.S.