What you can do now to prepare for ICD-10

The United States is moving toward adoption of the 10th version of the World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes. Because the change will have a significant impact on electronic health record and billing systems, ICD-10 is being rolled out in phases over the next couple of years. Physicians will need to begin using the new diagnosis codes starting in October 2013. This article describes the differences between ICD-9 and ICD-10 and the steps physicians and clinics can take now to prepare for the implementation.     

Hospitals owning HMOs get shortchanged when it comes to controlling, reducing costs

Data Benchmarks: HMO ownership a financial hindrance to hospitals? A new survey of hospitals owning HMOs vs. hospitals that don't surprisingly shows hospitals getting into the managed care business aren't faring as well as they hoped. Hospitals owning HMOs had 11.3% higher total costs per occupied bed than organizations that don't own HMOs. Here are the details, plus comparisons of other financial indicators between the two groups.     

Parents’ views on how health professionals should work with them now to get the best for their child in the future

Background Pregnancy and the first years of life are important times for future child well‐being. Early identification of families and children who might be likely to experience poorer outcomes could enable health professionals and parents to work together to promote each child’s well‐being. Little is known about the acceptability and feasibility of such an approach to parents. Objective To investigate parents’ views about how health professionals should identify and work with families who may benefit from additional input to maximize their children’s future health and well‐being. Design A qualitative study using focus groups. Setting and participants Eleven focus groups were conducted with a total of 54 parents; 42 mothers and 12 fathers living in the north of England. Results Parents welcomed the idea of preventive services. They strongly believed that everyone should have access to services to enhance child well‐being whilst recognizing that some families need additional support. Making judgements about who should receive additional services based on specific criteria evoked powerful emotions because of the implication of failure. Parents projected a belief in themselves as ‘good parents’ even in adverse circumstances. Conclusions Targeted additional preventive services can be acceptable and welcome if health professionals introduce them sensitively, in the context of an existing relationship, providing parents are active participants.     

Human resource managers should prepare for 'big one'

The staffing shortages in hospitals today are nothing compared with what they'll be in the future unless significant long-range planning begins right now, says Don Arnwine.