Economics

This channel highlights factors that impact hospital and healthcare economics and revenue. This includes news on healthcare policies, reimbursement, marketing, business plans, mergers and acquisitions, supply chain, salaries, staffing, and the implementation of a cost-effective environment for patients and providers.

Ohio system invests $10M for IBM Watson PACS upgrade

Cincinnati-based TriHealth announced a $10 million investment to adopt IBM Watson’s Health Enterprise Imaging Portfolio, reports the Cincinnati Business Courier.

April 20, 2018

Early MRI referrals not cost-effective in patients with knee pain

A group of Dutch researchers found a general practitioner’s MRI referral for patients with traumatic knee symptoms led to increased healthcare costs without any improvement in outcomes, according to a study published in Radiology.

April 20, 2018

Wisconsin hospital raises $4M to improve breast care

Thanks to contributions from more than 400 donors and support from the Ascension Wisconsin health system, Ascension St. Michael’s Hospital in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, will be opening a new Breast Care Center later this year.

April 20, 2018

10 findings on how patients use online reviews

According to a survey conducted by Software Advice, 72 percent of patients used online reviews as a first step to seeking providers.

April 19, 2018

Survey: Cardiologists’ pay increases, ranks No. 3 among specialties

Cardiologists earn an average of $423,000 annually, according to the 2018 Medscape Cardiologist Compensation Report, up from $410,000 in last year’s survey. That salary puts cardiology third among all specialties—behind only plastic surgery ($501,000) and orthopedics ($497,000).

April 19, 2018
Salt substitutes are associated with a reduced risk of high blood pressure without increasing the risk of low blood pressure, according to new findings published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.[1]

Compliance with FDA’s sodium goals could save $41B, prevent 450K cases of CVD

The FDA’s voluntary sodium reduction goals for packaged and processed foods could greatly reduce or delay deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the U.S. and are cost-saving even in pessimistic simulations, according to a study published online April 10 in PLOS Medicine.

April 19, 2018

Indiana program helps women who can't afford mammograms

HeartStrings Sisters, a nonprofit program started by Goshen Health in Goshen, Indiana, provides financial assistance to women who can’t afford mammograms.

April 19, 2018
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Radiologists average $401K a year, ranking 5th among specialists

Radiologists make an average of $401,000 a year, ranking as the fifth highest compensated medical specialists, according to Medscape's Physician Compensation Report 2018, which compiled survey results from more than 20,000 physicians in 29 clinical specialties.

April 19, 2018