Archive for December, 2011

The number of cancer cases could surge by 45 per cent in the next 20 years, according to new research which may be of interest to people attending healthcare events.

The study which was published by Cancer Research UK, and published in the British Journal of Cancer, found that by 2030 there could be around 432,000 cancer cases a year, with male cancer’s rising by a staggering 55 per cent over the period.

The reason for this increase it says is down to the population aging. However, while the number of cancer cases is expected to increase the survival rate is also expected to get better.

However, the report does warn that the NHS risks being overwhelmed unless they start to take action now.
Marcus Evans presents business training events, created by experienced professionals and with information presented by industry experts.
 

Upcoming healthcare conferences may discuss the state of food for those receiving healthcare in hospitals in Wales, which has been a hot topic lately.

A recent report by the auditor general for Wales found that the standard of food served to people in hospitals was low.

Steps have been made to improve the level of catering in hospitals, and most patients are satisfied with the standard, but the auditor said there was still much to be done, the BBC reported.

More work is needed to ensure those in hospital are getting the help they need at meal times.

Better records need to be kept, and more could be done to set up care plans for those with nutritional problems, the news provider reported.

The Daily Mail reported this week that often less than £1 a day is spent on food for hospital patients, but the Welsh report found that the amount spent can vary from £1.33 to £5.66.

Marcus Evans presents healthcare conferences, created by experienced professionals and with information presented by industry experts.

Oncology discussions at healthcare conferences may touch on studies into extending remission for advanced lung cancer patients.

Two national trial programmes are taking place in the US, where patients are given a trial drug to help prevent the growth of tumours Island Packet said.

Sunitinib is given to advanced patients who have completed a course of chemotherapy. It is intended to inhibit growth factors which can lead to tumours and maintain or enhance the effects of the chemotherapy for longer.

It has already been trialled successfully on patients with other types of cancer.

Dr Jeffrey Crawford, principal investigator for clinical trials at Duke University Medical Centre, told the news provider: "If you can live a year, rather than eight months, that’s big, especially if we can improve your quality of life. Every month counts."

In October last year the American Cancer Society predicted there were around 371,000 people suffering from lung cancer in the US.

Mergers and acquisitions are often the talk of healthcare business events as firms look to expand into new markets. And the trend shows no sign of slowing after Scottish IT company Craneware bought a rival US firm in a multi-million pound deal.

The purchase of Nashville-based ClaimTrust is worth over £9 million initially, but could rise to £12 million if certain targets are met.

Craneware is a healthcare software developer which creates revenue calculating programmes for US hospitals. And while ClaimTrust is technically a rival company, it has a customer base of more than 275 hospitals in the US.

Through this purchase Craneware will now be able to expand its offering in the US. It also expects that revenue will increase significantly in the first full year of ownership.

Marcus Evans presents healthcare retail business events, created by experienced professionals and with information presented by industry experts.

The emergence of insurance broker CBG into the healthcare market is likely to be the talk of healthcare business events this year.

In the main because the group is looking to benefit from the rise in clinical negligence claims.

Dave Mackie from the CBG Group explained how "both the NHS and the private sector have seen the cost of clinical negligence rise sharply in recent years".

As a result, "corporate healthcare organisations are facing an increased threat of medical malpractice claims".

The products will protect all kinds of corporate healthcare organisations including private hospitals and clinics.

CBG claim that medical malpractice is an area "avoided" by many insurers and are hoping to fill a "worrying void" in the healthcare sector.

The move is part of an initiative between CBG and MPS Risk Solutions.

Marcus Evans presents healthcare business events, created by experienced professionals and with information presented by industry experts.

Driving Healthcare Efficiency through People, Processes and Technology 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“Healthcare organizations that focus on people, processes and technology will reduce costs and maintain a high quality of patient care while also meeting the demands of new healthcare operating models.” says Beverly Wallace, Retiring President, Parallon Business Solutions.

Ahead of the marcus evans National Healthcare CFO Summit Spring 2012 and the National Healthcare CXO Summit Spring 2012, both in Hollywood, Florida, April 26-28, Wallace and O’Boyle discuss the tools that can help Healthcare CEOs improve efficiency. 
 
What can be done to improve workforce management in hospitals today? 

Beverly Wallace: Everyone is familiar with the fact that there are fewer and fewer nurses available, so hospitals are reaching out to contract labor companies to fill positions at a premium rate. The preferred way to look at the workforce is to increase the utilization of internal staff and reduce the use of premium labor by having the best people use processes and technologies to optimize their schedules and resources.

Healthcare organizations must focus on people, processes and technology in order to reduce costs, improve workforce satisfaction and maintain a high quality of patient care.

How can healthcare executives optimize inventories and distribution, so that physicians have access to the tools they need, when they need them?

Beverly Wallace: Healthcare executives must re-strategize their supply chains and take a closer look at their current inventory processes in order to remove waste. A key area is looking at the OR inventory process and streamlining it to remove and prevent waste with physician input, so that physicians have the devices and technologies they need to care for patients, but at a cost that also serves the facility and its well being. 

Pharmacists must also have the latitude to perform clinical interventions and tasks such as tactical order entries. Moving activities such as order entry into a consolidated shared services environment and allowing the pharmacist to focus on clinical intervention can reduce the cost of pharmaceuticals used in patient care while also improving the clinical outcome of the patient.

What piece of advice would you give to healthcare CEOs today?

Michael O’Boyle: I would say there are two things. One is to really understand healthcare reform and figure out how your organization will fit into the new paradigm. Secondly, knowing reimbursement will likely be reduced, start focusing today on ways to remove cost to match the new reimbursement levels to be ready for the full implementation of healthcare reform in 2016. Some executives are taking a wait and see attitude with respect to how reform shakes out but we all know that change has to happen so we should all focus on improving our costs and operating models without impacting patient bedside care in preparation for that change.

Contact: Stacey Melvin, Journalist, marcus evans, Summits Division

Tel: + 357 22 849 400
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com

For more information on the National Healthcare CFO Summit Spring 2012 and the National Healthcare CXO Summit 2012, please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the website

marcus evans group – healthcare sector portal

About Parallon Business Solutions 

Parallon Business Solutions is committed to transforming the business of healthcare while maintaining a patient’s first philosophy. Over the last 12 years, Parallon has proven solutions in 250 hospitals and 2,000 non-acute care providers. Through its 21,000 people and four business units, Parallon provides revenue cycle and business process expertise, workforce management solutions, supply chain services and the purchasing power of HealthTrust Purchasing Group.

www.parallon.net

About marcus evans Summits

marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-on-one business meetings. For more information, please visit www.marcusevans.com 

All rights reserved. The above content may be republished or reproduced – kindly inform us by sending an email to press@marcusevanscy.com

Changing the Business of Healthcare:
Allocating After Hours Services �

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

To maintain and increase revenue in an era of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and bundled payments, healthcare Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) must find new ways of doing business, says Stephen C. Schoenbaum, MD, MPH. Hospitals could arrange after hour services and supports for coordinated care and sell those supports to physicians and practices in the area.

A speaker at the upcoming marcus evans National Healthcare CFO Summit Spring 2012, taking place in Hollywood, Florida, April 26-28, Schoenbaum discusses new business avenues that healthcare organizations could exploit.

With so much focus on lowering costs, how can healthcare CFOs maintain quality of care?

Stephen C. Schoenbaum: The US is one of several countries in which healthcare spending increases chronically exceed increases in earnings and increases in GDP. Each has continuing pressure in improving quality of care and health spending. In the US, healthcare providers that have depended on non-essential practices are already seeing a drop in volume and revenue, and will eventually have to terminate those practices. They will also have to seek opportunities to do business that are aligned with the goals of improving care and decreasing costs. There is already a strong belief among healthcare executives that better care is less expensive care. More efficient processes, ones that eliminate unnecessary steps, create a platform for better quality at a lower cost.   

What can be done to maximize efficiency in healthcare delivery and administration?

Stephen C. Schoenbaum: The existing service payment system in the US encourages more care, not better care. Private insurers are trying to change the way payments are made to encourage better coordinated, more efficient care.

Accountability for the quality of care requires adoption of specific standards and measurements by the US government and others as well as transparency in reporting the results.

What role can hospitals play in assisting ACOs?

Stephen C. Schoenbaum: To increase revenue, healthcare CFOs must find new ways of doing business. There are numerous discussions surrounding the development of medical homes and ACOs. These require a variety of shared services so that they can meet their cost and quality goals.

Hospitals could set up after hours services which could then be provided to a number of practices and physicians. Physicians are not in the office 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but patients need around the clock care.

This will allow for better, less expensive care that decreases visits to the emergency room. While it decreases admissions, it also, assuming they are paid differently, creates a new business opportunity for hospitals. Healthcare executives must open their eyes and realize that they have all the components necessary for this.

How can hospital performance be measured? 

Stephen C. Schoenbaum: Medicare and Medicaid publically report measures online that focus on technical care and patient experience. Both are extremely important. Technical care looks at what is being delivered in accordance with various guidelines and patient experience is an aspect that care givers are not able to determine on their own. 

The overall performance of the US system has actually gotten a bit poorer in recent years. This appears to be related to the increasing number of uninsured people with no or poor access to care. Nevertheless, quality measures are improving, as this is the only area where we have national guidelines. The healthcare system is responding to the existence of guidelines and related measures by working on improving care in those areas. The positive message is that if you set up accountability by having standards and measures in place, you will get results.

Contact: Stacey Melvin, Journalist, marcus evans, Summits Division

Tel: + 357 22 849 400
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com

About the National Healthcare CFO Summit Spring 2012

This unique forum will take place at The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, Hollywood, Florida, April 26-28, 2012. Offering much more than any conference, exhibition or trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed industry thought leaders and solution providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event. The Summit includes presentations on strategies for improving the revenue cycle, preparing for healthcare reform, and being in a position to be able to take advantage of the impending changes in the healthcare system.

For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event website

marcus evans group – finance/insurance sector portal

Complementing our summit format, the Finance Network – marcus evans Summits group delivers peer-to-peer information on strategic matters, professional trends and breakthrough innovations.

About marcus evans Summits

marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-on-one business meetings. For more information, please visit www.marcusevans.com 

All rights reserved. The above content may be republished or reproduced – kindly inform us by sending an email to press@marcusevanscy.com

CNO Responsibilities:
Enhancing the Patient Experience and Reducing Costs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Chief Nursing Officers (CNOs) must ensure that nurses are working with patients as opposed to working for them, says Carolyn L. Sanders, RN, PhD, Vice President – Patient Services & Chief Nursing Officer, University of Colorado Hospital. “Having a robust patient and family care centered delivery model where patients actively participate and are partners in care is critical,” she adds.

A speaker at the marcus evans National Healthcare CNO Summit Spring 2012, taking place in Hollywood, Florida, April 26-27, Sanders discusses the importance of ensuring patients are satisfied during their stay.

How can CNOs increase efficiency in the hospital?

Efficiency can be achieved by taking a closer look at staffing patterns relative to census and acuity data and developing staffing models that address the needs of the units and the patients, eliminating unnecessary hours where workload is not there to support it or assigning work to assistive personnel where appropriate. CNOs must focus on patterns of activity, acuity, admissions and discharges, and modify staffing levels to mirror those patterns. All of these strategies are opportunities to increase efficiency and productivity, especially now when we are facing decreased reimbursement. When designing new units or remodeling hospital care areas, we must ensure that support areas are decentralized as much as possible and that medical equipment is easy to find, accessible and the “hunting and gathering” phenomenon is minimized. 

How could the patient experience be enhanced?

Having a robust patient and family care centered delivery model where patients actively participate and are partners in care is critical. Nurses should do things with patients as opposed to for them. Better communication among providers, such as bedside nurse-to-nurse reports that involve the patient and their family will help this development. In addition, models of service excellence ensure all employees are able to see their role in the patient’s experience.

Hourly rounding is a must for both safety and providing a level of certainty for patient. By continually visiting patients, staff can ensure that the patient experience is going smoothly and do whatever it takes to address their needs. The CNO must also work towards increasing employee satisfaction, as this will trickle down and boost patient satisfaction.

With so much focus on reducing costs, do you worry that patient care will be affected?

Every clinician worries about patient care being affected. CNOs must ensure they are hiring the right leaders who have a strong commitment and who can uphold the mission, vision and values of their organization. Transparent leadership styles that employ creative ways of changing care delivery models that ensure quality and safety that also reduce costs is crucial. Leaders must help staff understand cost reduction and quality enhancement, which is not an easy task.

It is important to plan a strategy for the future with the unknowns and uncertainties of healthcare reform.

Any final comments?

CNOs must have a clear vision and empower their teams to help them on the journey towards that vision. Without that, we can reach no destination. It is our responsibility to develop the future of nursing for our patients and our nation.

Contact: Stacey Melvin, Journalist, marcus evans, Summits Division

Tel: + 357 22 849 400
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com

About the National Healthcare CNO Summit Spring 2012

This unique forum will take place at The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, Hollywood, Florida, April 26-27, 2012. Offering much more than any conference, exhibition or trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed industry thought leaders and solution providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event. The Summit includes presentations on the healthcare reform, nursing in the era of meaningful use and improving patient care. 

For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event website

marcus evans group – healthcare sector portal

Please note that the Summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.

About marcus evans Summits

marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-on-one business meetings. For more information, please visit www.marcusevans.com

All rights reserved. The above content may be republished or reproduced – kindly inform us by sending an email to press@marcusevanscy.com

Driving Healthcare Efficiency through People, Processes and Technology 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“Healthcare organizations that focus on people, processes and technology will reduce costs and maintain a high quality of patient care while also meeting the demands of new healthcare operating models.” says Michael O’Boyle, newly appointed CEO and President, Parallon Business Solutions.

Ahead of the marcus evans National Healthcare CFO Summit Spring 2012 and the National Healthcare CXO Summit Spring 2012, both in Hollywood, Florida, April 26-28, Wallace and O’Boyle discuss the tools that can help Healthcare CEOs improve efficiency. 
 
What can be done to improve workforce management in hospitals today? 

Beverly B. Wallace: Everyone is familiar with the fact that there are fewer and fewer nurses available, so hospitals are reaching out to contract labor companies to fill positions at a premium rate. The preferred way to look at the workforce is to increase the utilization of internal staff and reduce the use of premium labor by having the best people use processes and technologies to optimize their schedules and resources.

Healthcare organizations must focus on people, processes and technology in order to reduce costs, improve workforce satisfaction and maintain a high quality of patient care.

How can healthcare executives optimize inventories and distribution, so that physicians have access to the tools they need, when they need them?

Beverly B. Wallace: Healthcare executives must re-strategize their supply chains and take a closer look at their current inventory processes in order to remove waste. A key area is looking at the OR inventory process and streamlining it to remove and prevent waste with physician input, so that physicians have the devices and technologies they need to care for patients, but at a cost that also serves the facility and its well being. 

Pharmacists must also have the latitude to perform clinical interventions and tasks such as tactical order entries. Moving activities such as order entry into a consolidated shared services environment and allowing the pharmacist to focus on clinical intervention can reduce the cost of pharmaceuticals used in patient care while also improving the clinical outcome of the patient.

What piece of advice would you give to healthcare CEOs today?

Michael O’Boyle: I would say there are two things. One is to really understand healthcare reform and figure out how your organization will fit into the new paradigm. Secondly, knowing reimbursement will be reduced, start focusing today on ways to remove cost to match the new reimbursement levels to be ready for the full implementation of healthcare reform in 2016. Some executives are taking a wait and see attitude with respect to how reform shakes out but we all know that change has to happen so we should all focus on improving our costs and operating models without impacting patient bedside care in preparation for that change.

Contact: Stacey Melvin, Journalist, marcus evans, Summits Division

Tel: + 357 22 849 400
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com

For more information on the National Healthcare CFO Summit Spring 2012 and the National Healthcare CXO Summit 2012, please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the website

marcus evans group – healthcare sector portal

About Parallon Business Solutions 

Parallon Business Solutions is committed to transforming the business of healthcare while maintaining a patient’s first philosophy. Over the last 12 years, Parallon has proven solutions in 250 hospitals and 2,000 non-acute care providers. Through its 21,000 people and four business units, Parallon provides revenue cycle and business process expertise, workforce management solutions, supply chain services and the purchasing power of HealthTrust Purchasing Group.

www.parallon.net

About marcus evans Summits

marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-on-one business meetings. For more information, please visit www.marcusevans.com 

All rights reserved. The above content may be republished or reproduced – kindly inform us by sending an email to press@marcusevanscy.com

Improving Results in Long-Term Care Facilities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Long-term care (LTC) operators must examine their care workflow and management methods, says Robert C. Davis, Chief Executive Officer, Optimus EMR, Inc. In the healthcare industry where margins are tight, electronic health record (EHR) systems can help organizations gain efficiencies and improve patient care, he adds.

From a solution provider company at the upcoming marcus evans Long-Term Care CXO Summit Spring 2012, Davis shares his opinion on how LTC facilities can improve results.

What would improve patient care in the LTC sector? Why is workflow re-design crucial?

In today’s environment, it is very important that healthcare executives examine their care workflow and management methods. Many operators are still using paper-based charts instead of electronic medical records. This is a significant handicap to their ability to recognize and react to changes. They must consider how they can gain efficiencies, and determine where their gaps and weaknesses are, in order to completely restructure the way they do business including the billing/financial functions. The goal should be to have good patient information available and accessible in real time.

Almost every week, we see revenue reductions and program changes announced by CMS, and most facilities are not set up for rapid changes. This puts a lot of pressure on management teams. This is a very labor intensive business with tight margins, therefore it is essential to hire and train the best staff, and give them the tools they require to provide the best possible care. They must accomplish maximum care results with maximum staff efficiency; there is no way around it.

Many healthcare providers believe that spending more money on staff equals better care, when it has been proven that spending the proper amount of money efficiently produces the best care.

How can EHR systems help care providers better respond to changes?

The healthcare industry has been slow in adopting technologies for a variety of reasons. It is no longer possible to produce good results and the desired patient outcomes without technology which includes interoperability, with a paper-based system. Care providers have to share patient information. Paper-based systems do not provide alerts, warnings and other management tools. Therefore, the data and workflow must be incorporated with electronic systems.

It is generally accepted that there is a significant return on investment for adopting technologies in this space, if they are implemented and used correctly. Inadequate and poorly accessible information is a barrier to success.

How can LTC facilities ensure they remain patient centered?

It is virtually impossible to stay patient-centered and manage each patient’s individual needs without an efficient care tool or plan that is easily modified and adapted to the changes in the patient’s requirements. After all, the patient is the primary recipient and beneficiary of good care. A care plan that is strong, robust and accessible by all caregivers at each point of care is vitally important.

Contact: Sarin Kouyoumdjian-Gurunlian, Press Manager, marcus evans, Summits Division

Tel: + 357 22 849 313
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com

About the Long-Term Care CXO Summit Spring 2012

Offering much more than any conference, exhibition or trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed industry thought leaders and solution providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event. The Summit includes presentations on the Health Care Reform, innovative quality improvement, and staff recruitment and retention strategies.

For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event website

marcus evans group – healthcare sector portal 

Please note that the Summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.

About Optimus EMR, Inc.

Optimus EMR, Inc. is the leading EHR based on functionality and interoperability with eleven years on the market.  Recently added is a complete billing and financial suite. Some features include Automated MDS 3.0, CPOE/eMAR, therapy, and physician module. Also, Interoperability has been established with pharmacy, lab, radiology and acute hospitals through HL7 Interfaces. Optimus EMR is LTPAC certification criteria and HITECH compliant. Implementation services include work flow redesign for maximum results, on-site training and operational consulting by our team of experts. 

For more information: www.optimusemr.com

About marcus evans Summits

marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-on-one business meetings. For more information, please visit www.marcusevans.com 

All rights reserved. The above content may be republished or reproduced – kindly inform us by sending an email to press@marcusevanscy.com