>The American Hospital Association echoed criticism of The Leapfrog's Group's hospital safety scorecards. In a letter to the Leapfrog CEO, the AHA voiced its concern that the current scoring method was unreliable and biased and contained considerable data errors, the association said. Statement
> A survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation showed that even insured, high-income patients delay seeking medical care, American Medical News reported Tuesday. Data shows that 38 percent of patients with an income of more than $90,000 delay seeking healthcare, citing concerns about high costs. One in 5 patients surveyed said that they had experienced difficulty paying medical expenses in the past year. Article
> Quincy Medical Group (Ill.) will join Iowa Health System's accountable care organization in an affiliation agreement, reported The Quincy Harold-Whig Friday. This merger will allow Quincy Medical to acquire more specialty practices so patients will have access to local specialized care. Article
> The risk of being hospitalized is three times greater for patients with Alzheimer's, American Medical News reported Monday. Medical professionals cite a high likelihood of delirium in Alzheimer's patients as a reason for increased hospitalization, compounded with patients' difficulty communicating with physicians, making diagnoses more challenging. Article
> Top hospital executives in Montana received large pay raises and bonuses between 2010 and 2011 that reached as high as $700,000, The Billings Gazette reported Sunday. Hospital officials have called this payout to execs, all of whom already earn six-figure salaries, an anomaly. Hospital officials state that such payouts are necessary to ensure that top organizations continue to provide quality care. Article
And Finally… What would you give up to work from home? Article