Patient safety indicators require a comprehensive approach

10/15/2012

The North Texas hospitals support sharing data regarding hospital performance with the public in a transparent manner as long as the information is complete, accurate and limitations are fully disclosed. An example of the complexity related to data analysis is the computer error revealed recently impacting the financial penalties against hospitals on Medicare readmissions within 30 days. The Centers for … Read More

Love interviewed by CBS Evening News

10/02/2012

With part of the Affordable Care Act going into effect, the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council’s President and CEO Steve Love offered his insight for CBS Evening News Monday evening, October 1. Love was interviewed for Anna Werner‘s segment involving Medicare reimbursement penalties. As detailed, hospitals now face big fines if too many patients have to be readmitted because of complications. … Read More

Readmissions – A Complex Issue

10/01/2012

In October each year we enjoy the State Fair of Texas, fall festivals, carving pumpkins and Texas football at all levels. This year a new event begins Oct. 1, 2012 resulting from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). A readmissions provision imposes financial penalties on hospitals for “excess” readmissions when compared to “expected” levels of readmission. Generally, hospitals … Read More

Public Policy Concern –
Drug Shortages are Critical

04/03/2012

In 2010, more than 200 drug shortages were reported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and have continued into 2012. The shortages have occurred across drug classes including critical drugs used in surgery, anesthesia, emergency care and oncology. The current shortages throughout the industry appear to be the result of a significant expansion in the scope and volume of … Read More

Open letter to our Congressional Leaders

02/08/2012

We urge you NOT TO SUPPORT any additional cuts to Medicare as the February 29, 2012 deadline approaches. Although we support the elimination of the 27.4% proposed Medicare cuts to physicians, it should not be done at the expense of hospitals that provide billions of dollars in Medicare, Medicaid and charity care services to millions of Americans in need of … Read More

Employee of the Year Luncheon
Nominations Open

02/03/2012

A special day for hospital employees across North Texas, the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council Foundation’s Employee of the Year Luncheon is set for Thursday, April 19 at the Arlington Convention Center. Celebrating its 16th year, the popular luncheon serves as an opportunity for metroplex hospitals to honor crucial employees who make a difference in the daily responsibility of keeping patients … Read More