Respiratory therapist group warns of hazard from layoffs; Severe maternal morbidity affects nearly 3 per 1,000 births;

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> Postpartum hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders and cardiopulmonary complications are the most common causes of severe maternal morbidity, which affects 2.9 per 1,000 births, according to a new large cohort study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology. Abstract

> The American Association for Respiratory Care voiced patient safety concerns in the wake of KentuckyOne Health's decision to layoff respiratory therapists, WDRB reports. Article

Health Finance News

> Patients no longer just face confusion over complicated hospital billing practices. In some cases, if they object to the charges, the bills may end up with collection agencies and later damage their credit, the New York Times reported. Article

> Hospitals, under constant pressure to cut jobs and employee compensation in order to control costs, will likely have more contentious relationships with labor unions in the coming years, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Article

Health IT News

> Inaction on the part of a Washington-based hospital following a notification of HIPAA non-compliance has led to the first fine of a local government by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office for Civil Rights. Article

And Finally… Social media baby farce. Article