/ en Fri, 25 Apr 2025 17:29:04 -0500 Tue, 25 Mar 25 15:19:26 -0500 /news/headline/2025-03-25-senate-finance-committee-advances-nomination-mehmet-oz-cms-administrator <p>The Senate Finance Committee March 25 <a href="https://www.finance.senate.gov/hearings/open-executive-session-to-consider-favorably-the-nomination-of-mehmet-oz-of-pennsylvania-to-be-administrator-of-the-centers-for-medicare-and-medicaid-services" target="_blank">advanced</a> Mehmet Oz’s nomination for administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services by a vote of 14-13. Oz, a doctor and former television show host, will soon be considered by the full Senate for confirmation. <br> </p> Tue, 25 Mar 2025 15:19:26 -0500 Administration /news/headline/2025-03-25-susan-monarez-selected-new-cdc-director-nominee <p>Susan Monarez, acting director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has been nominated to lead the agency, President Donald Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114219231809224627" target="_blank">announced</a> March 24. Monarez was previously the deputy director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health. <br> </p> Tue, 25 Mar 2025 15:16:42 -0500 Administration /aha-center-health-innovation-market-scan/2024-11-19-mobilizing-data-operational-efficiency-health-care-path-forward <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><p><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Mobilizing-Data-for-Operational-Efficiency-in-Health-Care-A-Path-Forward.png" data-entity-uuid="3abc47d8-455f-4794-9a0e-da95207d61b5" data-entity-type="file" alt="Mobilizing Data for Operational Efficiency in Health Care: A Path Forward. The cover of the AHA Market Scan Trailblazers report Mobilizing Data to Improve Operational Efficiency. Download now." width="100%" height="100%"></p><p>In October 2021, McKinsey & Company released a <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare/our-insights/administrative-simplification-how-to-save-a-quarter-trillion-dollars-in-us-healthcare" target="_blank" title="McKinsey & Company: Administrative simplification: How to save a quarter-trillion dollars in US healthcare">landmark report</a> highlighting a critical issue in the U.S. health care system: administrative inefficiency. According to the report, approximately 25% of total U.S. health care expenditures — about $1 trillion — go toward administrative tasks. Even more striking, nearly 30% of these expenditures stem from inefficiencies. Fast forward to September 2024, and the latest <a href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2024/sep/mirror-mirror-2024" target="_blank" title="The Commonwealth Fund: Mirror, Mirror 2024: A Portrait of the Failing U.S. Health System">Commonwealth Fund report</a> confirms these concerns, ranking the U.S. ninth out of 10 high-income countries in administrative efficiency, only ahead of Switzerland.</p><p>This growing issue leaves health systems across the nation grappling with an essential question: How can hospitals and health systems improve efficiency to alleviate these costs?</p><p>The newly published AHA Market Scan Trailblazers report, <a href="/aha-center-health-innovation-market-scan/2024-11-15-mobilizing-data-improve-operational-efficiency" target="_blank" title="Mobilizing Data to Improve Operational Efficiency">“Mobilizing Data to Improve Operational Efficiency,”</a> offers a compelling solution. It explores how health systems are leveraging emerging technologies to unlock and mobilize core data sets, thus driving substantial operational improvements and better care outcomes.</p><h2>The Path to Efficiency: Data Mobilization in Health Systems</h2><p>In a recent <a href="https://guidehouse.com/insights/healthcare/2023/2024-health-system-digital-and-it-investments" target="_blank" title="Guidehouse: 2024 Health System Digital & IT Investments">survey by Guidehouse</a>, health care executives emphasized digital and IT investments as the leading strategies for operational efficiency. Digital innovation, they believe, has the potential to orchestrate patient care in the most streamlined way possible.</p><p>At the forefront of this effort is real-time location system (RTLS) technology. By capturing data at every point in a patient’s care journey, RTLS technology empowers health systems to gather valuable insights on patient movements and care processes. With data-driven decision-making now a reality, the global health care market for RTLS technology is set to grow significantly — projected to quadruple by 2032.</p><h2>How RTLS Technology Transforms Hospital Operations</h2><p>RTLS offers health systems a bird’s-eye view of patient care processes, enabling them to track who did what, when and where across their facilities. However, to realize the full potential of the data, hospitals must integrate it with existing health information technology systems, according to Rom Eizenberg, chief revenue officer at <a href="https://kontakt.io/solutions/healthcare-variation/" target="_blank" title="Kontakt.io: Healtcare">Kontakt.io</a>, a New York-based tech firm.</p><p>By creating a unified data ecosystem, hospitals can merge RTLS data with the electronic health record and administrative, clinical and financial systems. Artificial intelligence (AI) then analyzes the consolidated data, transforming unstructured information, like clinical notes, into actionable insights. This interoperable system also leverages internet-connected technology, allowing devices to communicate autonomously without manual input.</p><p>Hospitals and health systems that implement such data ecosystems gain real-time insights into:</p><ul class="red"><li class="red"><span><strong>Patient locations:</strong></span> Physical and medical location within the care process.</li><li class="red"><span><strong>Care team availability:</strong></span> Which staff members are available and where they are.</li><li class="red"><span><strong>Medical resources:</strong></span> The status and availability of equipment, spaces and other assets.</li></ul><p>Previously, these insights were siloed across various systems, limiting their impact. An AI-driven RTLS platform unites these data points in a single, centralized location, empowering anyone who needs access to view the comprehensive care picture.</p><h2>Case Study: Northeast Georgia Health System’s Data-Driven Safety Initiative</h2><p>Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS), a five-hospital system with 950 beds, collaborated with Kontakt.io to develop an RTLS solution to enhance both patient and staff safety. Together, they deployed Bluetooth low-energy smart badges equipped with a duress button, allowing staff to communicate their identity and location to security instantly if needed.</p><p>The results have been transformative: More than 10,000 NGHS staff members now are equipped with these badges, providing real-time location data to help prevent and mitigate dangerous situations. The impact has been profound — not only enhancing safety for both staff and patients, but also improving patient outcomes by streamlining response times and coordination.</p><h2>Key Benefits of Data Ecosystems for Health Care Efficiency</h2><p>By building an integrated, AI-driven data ecosystem, hospitals can convert data into powerful efficiencies, benefiting administrative, clinical, financial, operational and workforce functions. Here’s how each area is transformed:</p><h3>Administrative</h3><p>Staff members spend less time searching for patients, staff and equipment. Data-driven automation reduces time spent on paperwork and manual tracking, allowing personnel to focus on higher-value tasks.</p><h3>Clinical</h3><p>Patients experience reduced wait times for procedures, diagnostics and discharge, leading to better outcomes and higher satisfaction scores.</p><h3>Financial</h3><p>With accurate, real-time data capture, billing and coding processes become more efficient. This leads to improved charge capture, better claims management and enhanced revenue-cycle performance.</p><h3>Operational</h3><p>Hospital staff spend significantly less time coordinating logistics and searching for resources, as real-time data reveal the location of patients, staff, equipment and space. Efficiency in these areas translates to cost savings.</p><h3>Workforce</h3><p>By reducing job stress and burnout, hospitals can boost staff satisfaction and retention rates. Personnel, especially clinical staff, can focus on practicing at the top of their licenses, leading to improved care delivery.</p><p>As more hospitals and health systems recognize the advantages of integrating RTLS with their existing systems, the promise of streamlined, efficient and responsive health care becomes more tangible. By making targeted investments in digital and IT infrastructure, health care leaders can unlock vast potential for operational efficiency, improved patient care and staff well-being across the sector.</p><p><a href="/aha-center-health-innovation-market-scan/2024-11-15-mobilizing-data-improve-operational-efficiency" target="_blank" title="Mobilizing Data to Improve Operational Efficiency"><strong>DOWNLOAD</strong></a><strong> the full Trailblazers report now!</strong></p></div><div class="col-md-4"><p><a href="/center" title="Visit the AHA Center for Health Innovation landing page."><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/logo-aha-innovation-center-color-sm.jpg" data-entity-uuid="7ade6b12-de98-4d0b-965f-a7c99d9463c5" alt="AHA Center for Health Innovation logo" width="721" height="130" data-entity- type="file" class="align-center"></a></p><p><a href="/center/form/innovation-subscription"><img src="/sites/default/files/2019-04/Market_Scan_Call_Out_360x300.png" data-entity-uuid data-entity-type alt width="360" height="300"></a></p></div></div></div>.field_featured_image { position: absolute; overflow: hidden; clip: rect(0 0 0 0); height: 1px; width: 1px; margin: -1px; padding: 0; border: 0; } .featured-image{ position: absolute; overflow: hidden; clip: rect(0 0 0 0); height: 1px; width: 1px; margin: -1px; padding: 0; border: 0; } h2 { color: #9d2235; } ul.red { list-style: none; } ul.red li.red::before { content: "\2022"; color: #9d2235; font-weight: bold; display: inline-block; width: 1em; margin-left: -1em; } Tue, 19 Nov 2024 06:30:00 -0600 Administration /advocacy/rural-health-services p, ul { font-size: 16px; color: #555 } .field_featured_image { position: absolute; overflow: hidden; clip: rect(0 0 0 0); height: 1px; width: 1px; margin: -1px; padding: 0; border: 0; } .featured-image{ position: absolute; overflow: hidden; clip: rect(0 0 0 0); height: 1px; width: 1px; margin: -1px; padding: 0; border: 0; } <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-10"><p>Over 57 million rural Americans depend on their hospital as an important source of care as well as a critical component of their area's economic and social fabric.<br> </p><p>AHA ensures the unique needs of our members are a national priority. Location, size, workforce, payment and access to capital challenge small or rural hospitals and the communities they serve. Collaborating with state and regional hospital associations and with advice from its member council, the Section tracks the issues, develops policies and identifies solutions to our most pressing problems. We do this through:</p><ul><li>Representation and advocacy in Washington, DC</li><li>Communication and education</li><li>Executive leadership and technical assistance</li><li>Innovation in payment and delivery</li></ul><hr><div class="col-md-12" align="center">.RuralAgenda{ font-weight:700; background-color: #6dae1e; color: #ffffff; padding: 15px; margin-auto } <h2 class="text-align-center RuralAgenda"><a href="/rural-advocacy-agenda"><span>2025 Rural Advocacy Agenda</span></a></h2></div><hr><p> </p><div class="col-md-6"><div class="panel module-typeC"><div class="panel-body"><p class="text-align-center"><span><strong>Telling the Hospital Story: Rural Hospitals in Action</strong></span><br> </p><p><a class="btn btn-wide btn-primary" href="/telling-hospital-story-rural-hospitals-action" target="_blank">Read More</a>  </p></div></div></div><div class="col-md-6"><div class="panel module-typeC"><div class="panel-body"><p class="text-align-center"><span><strong>Infographic: Rural Hospitals: Community Cornerstones Facing Perilous Threats to Care</strong></span></p><p><a class="btn btn-wide btn-primary" href="/infographics/2023-02-21-infographic-rural-hospitals-community-cornerstones-facing-perilous-threats-care" target="_blank">View the PDF</a></p></div></div></div><p> </p><h2 class="text-align-center"><span>Rural Health Resources</span></h2><div class="row"><div class="col-md-6"><p><a href="/2019-11-20-rural-advocacy-and-policy"><span><img src="/sites/default/files/2019-12/rural-icon-advocacy-policy-f.png" alt="Advocacy and Policy Icon" width="148" height="148"></span></a></p><h3><a href="/2019-11-20-rural-advocacy-and-policy"><span>Advocacy and Policy</span></a></h3><p><span>The ���������� Association has made improving access to rural health a top priority. Our advocacy agenda for lawmakers and policy recommendations to government agencies lay the groundwork for needed change to improve the system for patients. </span><a href="/2019-11-20-rural-advocacy-and-policy"><span>Click here</span></a><span> for regulatory advisories, comment letters, fact sheets and our agendas.</span></p></div><div class="col-md-6"><p><a href="/2019-11-20-rural-tools-education"><span><img src="/sites/default/files/2019-12/rural-icon-tools-education.png" alt="Tools and Education" width="148" height="148"></span></a></p><h3><a href="/2019-11-20-rural-tools-education"><span>Education and Communications</span></a></h3><p><span>The ���������� Association has a wealth of media and educational resources available to rural hospitals and health systems. </span><a href="/2019-11-20-rural-tools-education"><span>Click here</span></a><span> for reports, newsletters, podcasts, webinars, and more.</span></p></div></div><div class="row"><div class="col-md-6"><p><a href="/2019-11-20-d-rural-case-studies"><span><img src="/sites/default/files/2019-12/rural-icon-case-study-f.png" alt="Case Studies Icon" width="148" height="148"></span></a></p><h3><a href="/2019-11-20-d-rural-case-studies"><span>Tools and Resources</span></a></h3><p><span><strong>NEW: Rural Health Services Resources and References</strong></span><br><span>The ���������� Association is proud to feature the success stories of its members. </span><a href="/2019-11-20-rural-case-studies"><span>Read</span></a><span> a variety of case studies highlighting best practices, innovative techniques and new ideas from the field.</span></p></div><div class="col-md-6"><p><a href="/2019-11-20-d-rural-tools-and-resources"><span><img src="/sites/default/files/2019-12/rural-icon-resources-f.png" alt="Resources Icon" width="148" height="148"></span></a></p><h3><a href="/2019-11-20-d-rural-tools-and-resources"><span>Grants</span></a></h3><p><span>A curated library of grants, tools and other resources from AHA and others available to rural providers. </span><a href="/2019-11-20-rural-resources"><span>Click here</span></a><span> to see the collection.</span></p></div></div> <div class="col-md-4"> <a href="/national-rural-health-day"><img src="/sites/default/files/2024-11/2024-natl-rural-healt-day-logo.png" alt="2024 National Rural Health Day logo Image" width="1500" height="583"></a> <p>   </p> <div class="panel module-typeC"> <div class="panel-body"> <h4 class="text-align-center"> <span>Ready to Care: Celebrating Rural Hospitals and Health Systems </span> </h4> <p> </p> </div> </div> <div class="panel module-typeC"> <div class="panel-body"> <h4 class="text-align-center"> <span>AHA Statement Before the Committee on Ways and Means of the U.S. House of Representatives</span> </h4> <p> <a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/03/AHA-Statement-to-House-Ways-Means-Committee-on-Access-to-Health-Care-in-America-Ensuring-Resilient-Emergency-Medical-Care.pdf" target="_blank" title="Statement of the AHA for the Committee on Ways and Means of the U.S. House of Representatives “Access to Health Care in America: Ensuring Resilient Emergency Medical Care"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Page-1-AHA-Statement-to-House-Ways-Means-Committee-on-Access-to-Health-Care-in-America-Ensuring-Resilient-Emergency-Medical-Care.png" data-entity-uuid="abf2a692-1024-406e-9fc8-883016c25d8a" data-entity-type="file" alt="Statement of the AHA for the Committee on Ways and Means of the U.S. House of Representatives “Access to Health Care in America: Ensuring Resilient Emergency Medical Care” page 1." width="692" height="900"></a> </p> <p> <a class="btn btn-wide btn-primary" href="/system/files/media/file/2024/03/AHA-Statement-to-House-Ways-Means-Committee-on-Access-to-Health-Care-in-America-Ensuring-Resilient-Emergency-Medical-Care.pdf">Download the PDF</a> </p> </div> </div> <div class="panel module-typeC"> <div class="panel-body"> <h5 class="text-align-center"> <span>Rural Hospital Closures Threaten Access: Solutions to Preserve Care in Local Communities</span> </h5> <p class="text-align-center"> <a href="/system/files/media/file/2022/09/rural-hospital-closures-threaten-access-report.pdf"><img src="/sites/default/files/2022-09/cover-rural-hospital-closures-threaten-access-report.-386px.png" width="386" height="499"></a> </p> <div> <a class="btn btn-wide btn-primary" href="/system/files/media/file/2022/09/rural-hospital-closures-threaten-access-report.pdf" target="_blank">Download the Full Report</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="panel module-typeC"> <div class="text-align-center panel-body"> <a href="/advocacy/small-or-rural/rural-report-podcast-series"><span><img src="/sites/default/files/2021-02/rural-podcast-headphones-21.jpg" width="276" height="307"></span></a> </div> </div> <div class="panel module-typeC"> <div class="panel-body"> <h5 class="text-align-center"> <span>New Rural Health Services Resources and References</span> </h5> <a href="/rural-health-update/2024-04-18-aha-rural-hospital-and-health-services-resources-and-references-april-18-2023" target="_blank"><img src="/sites/default/files/2024-04/cover-aha-rural-hospital-and-health-services-resources-and-references-4-18-24-409px.png" data-align="center" data-entity-uuid="" data-entity-type="file" alt="New Resources and Services Cover" width="NaN" height="NaN"></a> <p class="text-align-center"> <a href="/rural-health-update/2024-04-18-aha-rural-hospital-and-health-services-resources-and-references-april-18-2023" target="_blank"><strong>View the latest resource.</strong></a> </p> </div> </div> <div>   </div> .RuralAgenda{ font-weight:700; background-color: #6dae1e; color: #ffffff; padding: 15px; margin-auto } <h4 class="text-align-center RuralAgenda"> <a href="/resources/2020-01-23-rural-advisory-groups"><span>Learn More About the Rural Advisory Groups</span></a> </h4> <p>   </p> --></div></div></div> Mon, 23 Oct 2017 13:36:19 -0500 Administration