Surgical patients see better outcomes but face longer hospital stays, AHA and Vizient report finds
Editor's Note Hospitalized surgical patients in 2024 were nearly 20% more likely to survive than expected compared to 2019, according to an August 5 analysis from the American Hospital Association (AHA) and Vizient. The report credits safety improvements such as reductions in infections, falls, and major complications, even as surgical…
AHA study: HOPD Medicare patients are poorer, sicker, more rural than those seen in physician offices
Editor's Note Medicare patients treated in hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs) present with greater socioeconomic and clinical complexity than peers seen in independent physician offices, including higher prior emergency department (ED) visits and inpatient use. According to an American Hospital Association (AHA) study conducted by KNG Health Consulting and published on…
Report: Sicker surgical patients fared better post-pandemic
Editor's Note Hospitals achieved a substantial reduction in mortality risk for surgical inpatients between 2019 and 2024, even as patients grew sicker and stayed longer, according to a report released August 5 by the American Hospital Association (AHA) and Vizient. In the first quarter of 2024, hospitalized surgical patients were…
Tariffs stir uncertainty in hospital supply chains, health insurance premiums
Editor's Note Recent reporting from Axios reveals hospitals and health insurers are reporting new concerns about rising tariffs and trade policy uncertainty, with the former delaying purchasing decisions and the latter planning premium increases as a result. In the first article, published June 18, the outlet reports that health system…
AHA urges HHS to cut regulations that burden hospitals and staff
Editor's Note The American Hospital Association (AHA) has called on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to eliminate or ease a variety of federal regulations, arguing that excessive administrative rules drive up costs, reduce patient access, and hinder innovation, Modern Healthcare reported May 13. According to the article,…
FDA launches effort to identify, slash outdated healthcare regulations under 10-to-1 rule
Editor's Note The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have launched a public Request for Information (RFI) to identify and eliminate outdated healthcare regulations, according to a May 13 press release from the FDA. The move supports a broader federal deregulatory…
Virtual care, tech-enabled roles reshape nursing as leaders diverge on care redesign priorities
Editor's Note Virtual models and technology-driven roles are gaining ground, but alignment across nursing leadership tiers remains a critical challenge. According to the American Hospital Association (AHA) Center for Health Innovation’s summary of the March 2025 “Nursing Leadership Insight Study” done by the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, virtual care—including…
The Joint Commission revises volume criteria for cardiac, stroke certifications
Editor's Note The Joint Commission announced significant updates taking effect immediately to the eligibility requirements for its cardiac and stroke certifications, developed in collaboration with the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Stroke Association (ASA). According to the April 2 announcement, key revisions involve the removal of percutaneous coronary…
Hospitals make steady gains in patient safety amid persistent challenges
Editor's Note Hospitals are making measurable strides in patient safety and workforce resilience, but sustained focus is needed to maintain progress, according to a March 13 report in Chief Healthcare Executive. The article focuses on a new analysis from the American Hospital Association (AHA) and Press Ganey. Based on responses…
Chinese medical devices threaten US healthcare cybersecurity
Editor’s Note Backdoors in Chinese-made medical monitors could put patients at risk and compromise hospital networks across the US, according to security agencies quoted in a February 23 report from CNBC. The article cites the popular Contec CMS8000 patient monitor as an example. Both the US Food and Drug Administration…
Free Daily News
- HFMA warns affordability crisis is driving up provider bad debt
- Report warns sterile processing staffing crisis threatens surgical safety
- Ascension swings to profit as outpatient push, cost cuts take hold
- High BMI alone did not raise early complication risk after outpatient TJA
- AAAHC report spotlights top accreditation deficiencies, strategies for safer ambulatory care
- ACS conference charts bold future for surgical quality with data, teamwork, frontline innovation
- Surgical leaders urged to weigh risks, rewards of innovation with a critical eye
- Health systems report dramatic nurse retention gains through residency, development programs
- Surgical innovation redefines what is possible for advanced colorectal cancer
- CMS proposal to end inpatient only list draws strong industry response