<h2 class="heading-medium">Medicare Shared Savings ACOs Generated $1.7b In Savings In 2018
</h2>
<p>CMS announced that the 2018 Medicare Shared Savings Program generated $1.7 billion in total savings. It also reported that ACOs in the shared savings and risk-based models saw reductions in per-enrollee spending. ACOs that took on downside risk generated more savings than ACOs that did not. See the full report for more on how ACOs are trending. <a href="https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/finance/medicare-shared-savings-acos-generated-17b-savings-2018" target="_blank" aria-label="Read more about Medicare Shared Savings ACOs Generated $1.7b In Savings In 2018">Read more</a></p>
<h2 class="heading-medium">Number Of Certified Physician Assistants Surging
</h2>
<p>The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 31% growth in the PA profession from 2018 to 2028, which the federal agency characterizes as "much faster than average" compared to other occupations. With the anticipated physician shortage, many think that physician assistant participation in clinical care teams is the solution. Check out the full analysis for more on the shifting role of PAs. <a href="https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/welcome-ad?toURL=/clinical-care/number-certified-physician-assistants-surging" target="_blank" aria-label="Read more about Number Of Certified Physician Assistants Surging">Read more</a></p>
<h2 class="heading-medium">CDC Updates Guidelines To Prevent Infections In Health Care Personnel
</h2>
<p>The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released an <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/healthcare-personnel/exec-summary.html" target="_blank">update</a> to its 1998 guidelines to prevent and control infection in the health care workplace. While the guidelines are intended for health care leaders and staff who address workplace health and safety, the guidelines themselves apply to a broader range of health care settings than before. Read the full guidelines for more on ways to prevent infections in your setting. <a href="https://www.aha.org/news/headline/2019-10-21-cdc-updates-guidelines-prevent-infections-health-care-personnel" target="_blank" aria-label="Read more about CDC Updates Guidelines To Prevent Infections In Health Care Personnel">Read more</a></p>
<h2 class="heading-medium">More ACOs Taking On Downside Risk, Analysis Finds
</h2>
<p>Research shows that ACOs participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program are increasingly moving toward downside financial risk through value-based contracts. The percentage participating in downside risk programs has grown from 2% the first performance year of the MSSP (2012) to approximately 30%. Check out the full article for more on these trends and the implications of downside risk. <a href="https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20191020.962600/full/" target="_blank" aria-label="Read more about More ACOs Taking On Downside Risk, Analysis Finds">Read more</a></p>
<h2 class="heading-medium">60% Of Younger Patients Will Switch Healthcare Providers Over A Poor Digital Experience: Survey
</h2>
<p>Half of consumers say they are frustrated about their provider’s lack of adoption of digital administrative processes, such as online bill pay, access to insurance information and digital pre-appointment forms, according to a recent survey. What’s more striking is that many patients are willing to ditch their healthcare providers for their slow adoption of modern technology – 41% said they would stop going while 1 in 5 said they had already stopped or switched providers over a poor digital experience. Read the full article to avoid these pitfalls. <a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/tech/60-younger-patients-will-switch-healthcare-providers-over-a-poor-digital-experience-survey" target="_blank" aria-label="Read more about 60% Of Younger Patients Will Switch Healthcare Providers Over A Poor Digital Experience: Survey">Read more</a></p>
<h2 class="heading-medium">Rapid Expansion Of Telehealth Comes With New Challenges
</h2>
<p>The growth of telehealth is being met with regulatory risk that is largely due to the interplay between state regulations and federal policies, and the fact that state regulations widely vary from one to the next. See the full text to learn more about how these challenges, especially those related to reimbursement, are inhibiting the full potential of these new delivery methods. <a href="https://www.statnews.com/2019/10/21/telehealth-rapid-expansion-offers-challenges/" target="_blank" aria-label="Read more about Rapid Expansion Of Telehealth Comes With New Challenges">Read more</a></p>
<h2 class="heading-medium">Knock Pressure Injury Rates Down To Zero: 5 Ways
</h2>
<p>In 2018, the Dermal Defense Team at Temple University Hospital set out to achieve zero Stage 3 and Stage 4 pressure injuries developed by patients after a hospital admission. Through education, risk assessment, and other prevention protocols, the goal was met. Learn the 5 strategies they used to achieve success in preventing pressure injuries. <a href="https://www.psqh.com/news/knock-pressure-injury-rates-down-to-zero/" target="_blank" aria-label="Read more about Knock Pressure Injury Rates Down To Zero: 5 Ways">Read more</a></p>
