Study: Patients admitted during December holiday at higher risk of death
A new study published in the British Medical Journal found patients discharged from hospital during the December holiday period are less likely to have prompt outpatient follow-up and are at higher risk of death or readmission within 30 days.
Led by a Toronto General Hospital researcher, the team looked at the records of more than 217,000 children and adults discharged home after an urgent admission during the two-week December holiday period, compared with more than 453,000 children and adults discharged during two control periods in late November and January. The data, from acute care hospitals in Canada, showed patients who were discharged during the holiday period were less likely to follow up with a physician within seven days and 14 days after discharge. Patients discharged during the holiday period were also at higher risk of 30-day death or readmission. (Study)
Former Constellation Health director arrested for investor fraud
The former director of a now-defunct revenue cycle management company was arrested by federal authorities at JFK airport over the weekend for his role in a $300 million investment fraud scheme.
Pavandeep Bakhshi, a United Kingdom resident and former board director of Constellation Health, has been charged with securities fraud after the company and its executives engaged in a scheme to defraud investors by creating fictitious acquisitions, fake income streams and phony customers and making material misrepresentations about the company.
The complaint filed against Bakhshi does not mention Constellation Health specifically but refers to a revenue cycle management company. Earlier this year, several former executives, including the company’s CEO, were named in a criminal complaint filed by the Department of Justice and a civil complaint filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission. (Release)