Healthcare Headlines: May 2019

<h2 class="heading-medium">48 States Use Value-Based Care And Payment Models, Study Shows</h2>
<p>New study shows value-based care and payment programs have launched in nearly all states. Not only did the study find that 48 states have now implemented them, compared to just six in 2013 and 16 in 2014, but the last 5 years have seen the most significant growth in prevalence.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/48-states-use-value-based-care-and-payment-models-study-shows.html" target="_blank" aria-label="Read more about 48 States Use Value-Based Care And Payment Models, Study Shows">Read more</a></p>
<h2 class="heading-medium">Improve Medication Reconciliation, Post-Acute Handoff Using 2-Part Discharge Checklist</h2>
<p>Research by the Cleveland Clinic shows the importance of communication and care coordination between providers as patients move between facilities to avoid medication errors and costly readmissions.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/clinical-care/improve-medication-reconciliation-postacute-handoff-using-2-part-discharge-checklist" target="_blank" aria-label="Read more about Improve Medication Reconciliation, Post-Acute Handoff Using 2-Part Discharge Checklist">Read more</a></p>
<h2 class="heading-medium">14% Of New Hospital Patients Harbor Superbugs: 4 Study Findings</h2>
<p>Check out the four key findings published in a recent study regarding the superbugs many patients arrive at hospitals with. The study also highlights the need for patient hand-hygiene programs in dealing with antibiotic-resistant bacteria.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/14-of-new-hospital-patients-harbor-superbugs-4-study-findings.html" target="_blank" aria-label="Read more about 14% Of New Hospital Patients Harbor Superbugs: 4 Study Findings">Read more</a></p>
<h2 class="heading-medium">Boost Medicare-Supported Residencies To Address Looming Physician Shortage, Congress Urged</h2>
<p>Key healthcare stakeholders, including the Association of American Medical Colleges, are backing legislation that would help address the national physician workforce shortage. The effort includes gradually adding new Medicare-supported residency positions.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-physician-relationships/boost-medicare-supported-residencies-to-address-looming-physician-shortage-congress-urged.html" target="_blank" aria-label="Read more about Boost Medicare-Supported Residencies To Address Looming Physician Shortage, Congress Urged">Read more</a></p>
<h2 class="heading-medium">Chronic Illnesses Will Play Even Bigger Role In Healthcare In Coming Years</h2>
<p>Latest analysis by Fitch Solutions shows how the six leading chronic illnesses &mdash; diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, obesity and cancer &mdash; are affecting healthcare costs and the added burden in the future.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/chronic-illnesses-will-play-even-bigger-role-in-healthcare-in-coming-years/552879/" target="_blank" aria-label="Read more about Chronic Illnesses Will Play Even Bigger Role In Healthcare In Coming Years">Read more</a></p>
<h2 class="heading-medium">FDA Requires Opioid Labeling Changes To Help Providers Safely Taper Dosing</h2>
<p>FDA released changes regarding the prescribing information included in outpatient opioid pain medication labels to provide more guidance on how to safely decrease or discontinue these medications in patients who are physically dependent on them.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aha.org/news/headline/2019-04-10-fda-requires-opioid-labeling-changes-help-providers-safely-taper-dosing" target="_blank" aria-label="Read more about FDA Requires Opioid Labeling Changes To Help Providers Safely Taper Dosing">Read more</a></p>
<h2 class="heading-medium">Use Geriatric Assessment To Predict Hospital And Long-Term Care Utilization</h2>
<p>Research shows that geriatric assessments can predict hospitalization rates and long-term care utilization in older cancer patients. These findings suggest that such assessments could identify needed interventions in this high-risk population thereby decreasing utilization and healthcare costs in the long run.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/clinical-care/use-geriatric-assessment-predict-hospital-and-long-term-care-utilization" target="_blank" aria-label="Read more about Use Geriatric Assessment To Predict Hospital And Long-Term Care Utilization">Read more</a></p>
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