Quality & Safety
USC researchers said the tool can be used to pinpoint movements during robotic surgery and determine which surgeons are novices or experts.
The large health system aims to learn from the IT successes of more than two dozen other peers, such as Rush, Providence St. Joseph, Sutter Health and more.
The IHI Chief Clinical and Safety Officer discusses what it takes to improve patient safety issues plaguing hospitals today.
A new report from AMA and Accenture finds phishing is the most common type of attack.
New research finds patients could benefit if they are invited to co-produce medical notes with doctors rather than simply reading them.
Chicago-based Saint Anthony sued Leapfrog in November for giving the hospital an inaccurate grade -- but Leapfrog claims the grade is based on self-submitted data the hospital failed to review.
With algorithms and analytics, first-moving health orgs are reaping alternative payment models to reduce readmissions, incentivize physicians to coordinate care and improve patient satisfaction.
Cloud-based platform keeps patients informed about their condition and care.
Sens. John McCain, R-Arizona, and Jerry Moran, R-Kansas introduced legislation Monday designed to modernize the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ healthcare system.
The Veterans Community Care and Access Act of 2017 would require the agency to develop and implement a plan to create a high-performing integrated healthcare network and use objective healthcare demand data to create standards on access and quality.
[Also: Feds say VA failed to report 90% of poor-performing providers]
These standards would also identify and bridge gaps in patient care -- whether veterans receive care at the VA or community facilities.
Further, the bill is aimed to improve collaboration with community providers and other federal agencies, by ensuring the agency promptly pays community providers and opens access to walk-in clinics. McCain and Moran also want to ensure the VA offers telemedicine and increases graduate medical education.
[Also: Cerner DoD overhaul coming out in waves; VA deal means 'single system' approach]
“The Veterans Choice Program was the first step in delivering on that promise, but much more needs to be done to provide all veterans a choice in when and where they receive care,” said McCain in a statement.
To McCain, the bill will strengthen the program by “consolidating and streamlining the VA’s community care program.”
“Since the creation of the Veterans Choice Program, Congress has repeatedly pushed the VA to make much-needed changes to its healthcare system,” said Moran in a statement. “Demand has demonstrated that veterans want and need healthcare options in their communities, but there must be reform at the VA to create a system that works for them.”
Under the legislation, the VA would also incorporate aspects of recent VA bills that would protect veterans from receiving care from providers who’ve been fired, suspended and or had their license revoked.
It would also clarify that the VA is allowed to share records with providers outside of the agency for the purpose of better care delivery.
The bill comes in the wake of the care scandals in Phoenix and in other VA care locations across the country, according to McCain. It has support from the American Legion, AMVETS and Concerned Veterans for America.
Twitter: @JessieFDavis
Email the writer: jessica.davis@himssmedia.com
The aim of the core measures is to refocus the agency's regimen of quality metrics on high-quality healthcare and meaningful outcomes for patients, according to the agency.