Latest California Healthline Stories
28 States Considering Expanding Duties of Nurse Practitioners
In anticipation of a growing physician shortage, 28 states are considering expanding the authority of nurse practitioners to provide medical care. The American Medical Association and other physician groups have expressed opposition to such changes. AP/Baltimore Sun.
UC Selects AT&T To Help Develop Infrastructure for Telehealth Network
On Tuesday, the University of California announced a $27 million contract with AT&T to build a telecommunications system that would connect health care providers in rural, underserved areas to physicians at larger hospitals. Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Business Journal.
Lack of Insurance Linked To Delayed Care for Heart Attack
The uninsured and people who had health insurance but were concerned about their finances were more likely than others to delay seeking treatment at a hospital when experiencing heart attack symptoms, a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association says. The researchers said that delaying care likely contributed to the death of many heart attack patients and also added to health costs, as such patients are more likely to be rehospitalized. Los Angeles Times.
Pilot Program Aims To Boost Nurses’ Time With Patients
A $4.1 million pilot program at Kaiser Permanente hospitals in Sacramento and Santa Clara is making changes to nurses’ workflow to allow them more time with patients. For instance, nurses ending their shifts partner with nurses coming in to work to check patients, and nurses also are using a timer function in iPod Touches to remind them to check if pain medications are working. Sacramento Business Journal.
Contra Costa County Eyeing Health Care Partnerships
In an effort to cope with recent budget cuts, Contra Costa County’s Health Services Department is looking to expand partnerships with community clinics and private hospitals. County supervisors recently cut about $20 million from the county’s share of the health department’s $897 million budget. Contra Costa Times.
California Hospitals Racked Up Fines for Failing To Report Errors
State regulators have issued more than $1 million in fines to hospitals for failing to report serious medical errors, according to data obtained by California Watch. A 2006 state law requires hospitals to report patient safety incidents within 45 days or face a $100 penalty for each day beyond the deadline. NPR’s “Shots,” California Watch Blog.
Survey: California Leads Country in Adoption of Personal Health Records
A recent survey finds that the percentage of U.S. residents using personal health records is on the rise, but usage remains low at 7%. The survey also found that California leads the country in PHR adoption with a usage rate of 15%. San Francisco Chronicle, ComputerWorld.
California Health Industry Prepared for Health Reform
California health care entities such as Blue Shield of California, Catholic Healthcare West and Kaiser Permanente helped with national health reform negotiations and at the same time began formulating plans for how to address the new law’s many regulations and incentives. CHW, Kaiser and Sutter Health, for example, have invested billions of dollars to upgrade their facilities, information technology and physician networks. San Francisco Business Times.
Mass. Judge Sides With State To Block Premium Increases
Suffolk County, Mass., Superior Court Judge Stephen Neel yesterday disagreed with six Massachusetts insurers’ contention that the state’s rejection of average 8% to 32% premium increases for individuals and small businesses would push the insurance market into chaos. The lawsuit was sparked by Insurance Commissioner Joseph Murphy’s rejection of 235 proposed increases that would have taken effect April 1, and insurers are expected to continue to battle the issue in court and with the state Division of Insurance. Boston Globe.
Aetna Warned Over Medicare Prescription Drug Policies
CMS recently suspended Aetna from signing up new members for its Medicare Advantage and stand-alone Medicare prescription drug programs, saying that the company did not meet requirements ensuring that seniors could continue receiving their medications during changes to Aetna’s plans. The sanction goes into effect on April 21 and will not be lifted until Aetna demonstrates to CMS that it has corrected the problem. Wall Street Journal, HealthLeaders Media.