Care Delivery

This channel includes news on cardiovascular care delivery, including how patients are diagnosed and treated, cardiac care guidelines, policies or legislation impacting patient care, device recalls that may impact patient care, and cardiology practice management.

Hospitals serving Medicaid patients prepare to take proposed payment caps on the chin
New federal limits on state-directed payments are set to cut Medicaid funding in most states. Hospitals are expected to bear the brunt since they account for the majority—84%, around $78B a year—of state-directed healthcare spends.
Nationwide nursing-home picture comes into focus with new analysis
Either the stakeholders issuing the warnings overstated the risk of widespread closings—or COVID-era emergency funds succeeded in heading off a calamity of national proportions. Either way, patient access has taken a hit here and there.
Cardiologists and surgeons share early feedback after CMS proposed sweeping TAVR changes
Major TAVR policy changes appear to be on the way—should clinicians be excited or concerned? Leading U.S. medical societies are sharing their early reactions.
Humana exits $900M position in end-of-life provider Gentiva
The Kentucky-based insurance giant had owned a 40% stake in the hospice company, stemming from its 2021 acquisition of Kindred Healthcare. Humana said a “consortium of investors" is making the buy, but few details were revealed.
TAVR concerns: Cardiologists, patient family members question quality of care at rural hospital
A failed TAVR procedure has left one family unsure about where things went wrong.

Surgeons with University of Maryland Medical Center transplant a pig heart into a human patient

Surgeons make history again, transplant pig heart into human patient for second time ever

That same team that transplanted a pig heart into a human patient for the very first time in 2022 has now done it again. The patient is currently recovering from the procedure, which occurred on Sept. 20.

A study that analyzed patient outcomes in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in veterans showed outcomes for on-pump and off-pump procedures over 10 years to be similar. Photo by Jim Lennon

The 50 best hospitals in the world for cardiac surgery

The new ranking, based on extensive survey data gathered by Newsweek, includes a total of 150 hospitals. Seven of the top 10 are located in the United States.

hospital price transparency comparison shopping

Hospital pricing puzzlers—whether inadvertent or intentional—uncovered in study co-authored by Mark Cuban

Patients browsing shoppable hospital services often get one price online and another over the phone, new research shows.

Patients admitted with C. diff not a significant source of in-hospital transmission

Hospital patients who test positive for Clostridioides difficile immediately upon admission but show no symptoms are highly unlikely to spread the germ to other inpatients.

EP studies during TAVR are safe and effective, new pilot study confirms

New research in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions explored the potential of performing EP studies before and after valve deployment. TAVR operators handled all catheter manipulations, and EP specialists were on hand to capture the necessary measurements.

unhappy desperate girl on psychiatric couch

DOJ accuses addiction recovery providers of offering kickbacks to patients, running 'unsafe' facilities

Brookline-based Bournewood Health Systems and First Psychiatric Planners are also accused of pushing patients to attend facilities known to be overcrowded and dangerous.

Industry Watcher’s Digest

Buzzworthy developments of the past few days.

The 50 best heart hospitals in the world

The new ranking includes a total of 300 hospitals from around the globe. Did your facility make the cut?

Care Delivery

Hospitals serving Medicaid patients prepare to take proposed payment caps on the chin

Nationwide nursing-home picture comes into focus with new analysis

Cardiologists and surgeons share early feedback after CMS proposed sweeping TAVR changes

Humana exits $900M position in end-of-life provider Gentiva

TAVR concerns: Cardiologists, patient family members question quality of care at rural hospital