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Press Release: Henry Ford Health System to Implement Strict Vendor Policies

A few days ago, we reported on a study by the American College of Physician Executives, which concluded that many physicians are depressed, stressed and tired--in short, on the verge of …

While emergency department use by the uninsured remains an ongoing concern, a new study has found that ED overuse by insured patients is also a problem, at least in California. Researchers with the California HealthCare Foundation (CHCF) found that patients with chronic illnesses, in particular, made medically unnecessary visits to emergency departments. These patients had a positive image of ED care, and felt they had nowhere else to go, given that their primary care doctor was closed or …

Good physical fitness--achieved safely with the guidance of an instructor--can go a long way in improving a patient's medical problems. According to The New York Times, a closer relationship between fitness professionals and doctors can also help physicians catch health problems that they might otherwise miss. Yet, despite the fact that healthcare providers could use fitness trainers as a tool for improving patient health, many providers either don't take advantage of trainers or …

> UnitedHealthcare may end its relationship with the Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati because the two sides have been unable to negotiate a new contact. Up to 300,000 customers would be affected if the insurer and health system can't come to an agreement. Report

> In Pittsburgh, many residents are dismayed by the shrinking number of independent hospitals. …

> A National Institutes of Health researcher is in big trouble as it's discovered that he had improper contact with drug companies and failed to report his outside annual income. Report

> Bank of America is buying Georgia-based HealthLogic Systems. Bank of America wants to boost its offerings in the healthcare financial services sector. …

At the most recent meeting of Texas's medical board, a record 99 doctors faced punishment from the board. Out of the 99, seven faced disciplinary measures. A spokesperson for the board noted that the high number wasn't a reflection of more complaints. Rather, "the board is simply doing a better job of proving cases, which results in more actions." Perhaps the Texas medical board took note of a recent study published by Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland that found …

Memorial Hospital Jacksonville is one of 15 Florida-based HCA hospitals that's kicked off a program to re-direct non-emergency patients to nearby clinics instead of treating them in the ER. The new policy will help cut down on ER wait times and also save everyone involved the cost of expensive emergency care. In the first week of the program, 110 were initially thought to be non-emergency patients (Under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act [EMTALA], all hospitals must screen ER …

Late last Friday, thousands of patients were still waiting to hear whether Piedmont Healthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia would settle a contract dispute that's been dragging out for almost six months. The answer came at 12:05 AM Saturday morning when a (conveniently timed) BCBS press release announced that the contract expired and would not be renewed. The expiration will impact 131,000 area members who will now have to pay higher out-of-pocket costs if they want to continue …

> A North Carolina marketer was able to break into a database to steal contact information for 80,000 doctors belonging to the American College of Physicians. Article

> The Clinical Cases and Images blog at the Cleveland Clinic looks at the ways in which Google Office is likely to transform the way academic physicians collaborate. …