Ambulance/Emergency Service
Stressed Out, Richard Haugh, June, 50
As psychiatric services shrink, mental-health patients have nowhere to go but your ED
Stopping ED Violence Before it Happens, Terese Hudson Thrall, September, 56
Hospitals consider ways to beef up security, which are right for you?
Improving Patient Throughput, Dagmara Scalise, November, after 48
ED overcrowding often doesn't begin or end there
Clinical Management Series
The Demand for More Exacting Test Results-Fast!-Reformulates Hospital Labs, Richard Haugh, January, 46
Major strides in technology intensify process, payment and staffing concerns
As the Miracles Get Bigger, so do the Challenges in Pediatrics, Richard Haugh, April, 46
Children's hospitals face sicker patients, proposed cuts to Medicaid, GME
Less Invasive Cardiovascular Treatments Shift Spotlight Catheterization Labs, Richard Haugh, July, 49
Proposed DRG changes, physician turf wars, explosion of data are main concerns
Competition Keeps Getting Hotter for Ambulatory Surgery, Richard Haugh, October, 68
Collaborate? Compete? Hospitals take a variety of tacks as thy try to retain a fair share of profitable service lines
Columns: Business Matters
The New Consumer, Part 2, Alden Solovy, January, 30
In which patients demand a better death...
Taking Inventory, Alden Solovy, February, 32
The Most Wired Survey and Benchmarking Study gives hospitals a way to evaluate their IT progress
Companies to Watch, Alden Solovy, March, 38
Impressing reporters is no easy task, top HIMSS exhibitors
The Baptist Shuffle, Alden Solovy, April, 36
It's a floor cleaner, a dance move and, mostly, a state of mind
Static Workflow, Alden Solovy, May, 30
Without the right knowledge base, IT will continue to miss the mark
Different People Die, Alden Solovy, June, 32
Our society needs a frank and open discussion of our goals for health care
Star Trek vs. Lost In Space, Alden Solovy, July, 28
Which one is winning at your hospital?
Save the Date, Alden Solovy, August, 30
Missed the Leadership Summit? Here are some highlights
A Living Monument, Alden Solovy, September, 30
A simple suggestion to commemorate our nation’s somber anniversaries and honor our heroes
Place to Stay, Alden Solovy, October, 36
Have you found a way to keep RNs on the job? New grants will promote hospitals' retention efforts
Wall Street Discovers Quality, Alden Solovy, November, 32
Pay for performance could yield capital for performance
Two Nurses, Alden Solovy, December, 28
Remembering who we are is key to retention
Columns: Editor's Notes
Time for Road Less Taken, Mary Grayson, January, 8
Maybe it's time for hospitals and insurers to find some common ground
Not You! Mary Grayson, February, 6
Can your infrastructure support all those glitzy new IT systems?
Pay for Quality, Mary Grayson, March, 8
Pay for performance has the potential to set the health care ship in a good direction
Experimental Times, Mary Grayson, April, 8
States are addressing uninsured problem
Steady as He Goes, Mary Grayson, May, 6
Davidson has been a model of consistency during his 15 years leading the AHA
Somebody Get That Phone! Mary Grayson, June, 4
What happens when customers call to ask how much services cost?
What If...? Mary Grayson, July, 6
What if the community elected hospital CEOs? Would your job objectives change?
How Far Out? Mary Grayson, August, 6
Nanotechnology and molecular medicine sound like science fiction, but they're coming soon
What Did Mom Say? Mary Grayson, September, 6
Wash your hands!
Bad Apples, Mary Grayson, October, 6
TV's version of the OR is far from reality
15 Minutes of Fame, Mary Grayson, November, 6
We can all learn a lesson from Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus
Fish Stories, Mary Grayson, December, 4
At a river bend, a legend eludes anglers and casts its spell on a little girl
Columns: OutBox
The Power of Advocacy, Rick Pollack, January, 76
Our success comes from a strong grassroots hospital voice that reinforces our activities
Quick Change, Duffy Newman, February, 84
The change acceleration process has been used successfully in business all over the world
You Talked, We Listened, John R. Combes, M.D., March, 82
Feedback from the field gules the AHA's Center for Healthcare Governance
The Quality Army, George F. Lynn, April, 100
The AHA Quality Center will accelerate the quality improvement process
The 2006 Health Forum-AHA Leadership Summit in San Francisco, Ian Morrison, May, 88
Preview of Leadership Summit
Power in Numbers, Rick Pollack, June, 84
Hospital leaders have a duty and an obligation to be in touch with legislators
A Values-Based Response, Gail Warden, July, 134
All of today's challenges can be met by aggressively applying core values
Quality Commitment, Jeffrey D. Selberg, August, 80
Successful programs reinforce the core elements of the IOM quality aims
Democracy is a Team Sport, Rick Pollack, September, 116
A critical election is coming in November and hospital people can’t sit passively
The Other Building Boom, Rick Wade, October, 108
It's the work thousands of hospitals are doing to build stronger community connections
Making a Difference, John T. Supplitt, November, 108
Honoring rural hospital executives who have improved the health status of their communities
Rapid HIV Testing, Gretchen Williams Torres and Cynthia Hedges Greising, December, 80
Take advantage of ED, LDR encounters to ascertain patients' HIV status
Community Health/Wellness/Outreach
The Diversity Factor, Lee Ann Runy, April, after 48
Is you hospital doing all it can to address its various patient populations?
2005 Foster G. McGaw Prize, Terese Hudson Thrall, April, 76
Venice (Calif.) Family Clinic
2006 NOVA Award Winners, July, 59
Collaboration, passion, goal-setting, mission and outreach set 2006 winners apart
Crystal Crush, Charlotte Huff, October, 59
In some unlikely regions, methamphetamine use is exploding, testing the capacity of hospitals and entire communities to respond
Defining & Measuring Community Benefit, Karen Sandrick, November, 66
With regulators threatening tax-exempt status, hospitals need a consistent way to demonstrate whey they deserve a tax benefit
Disaster Planning & Security/Bioterrorism
Are We Ready for the Avian Flu? Charlotte Huff, January, 38
Experts warn that the disease will show up in not-too-distant future, what must hospitals do to prepare?
12-Step Disaster Plan, Howard Larkin, May, 46
What every hospital needs to know before trouble strikes
E-Health/Technology
Measuring Value, Alden Solovy, July, 32
2006 Most Wired winners
Poised for Growth: Point-of-Care Testing, Dagmara Scalise, September, after 76
As test devices become more compact and easier to use, POCT becomes more frequent
The Future of the EHR: Connecting Across the Care Continuum, H&HN staff, September, 85
An executive dialogue on overcoming the obstacles to a national health information system
The Wow-and the Now, Philip Dunn, November, 42
Home-health technologies are evolving at a breathtaking pace. What can you expect?
Facilities
The Boom Goes On, Dave Carpenter, Suzanna Hoppszallern, March, 48
2006 hospital building report
Finances/Census
Financing Quality, Dave Carpenter and Frederick A. Hessler, May, after 48
The business dynamics of quality and safety
Financial Fitness Test, Chris Serb, June 34
10 ways to get in shape for a new payment era
Debt Financing: An Executive's Guide, Lee Ann Runy, June, after 40
Debt financing can be a critical source of capital; steps and types outlined, two case studies
Climbing Construction Cost, Jan Greene, November, 76
Skyrocketing materials costs force project financing changes
Insurance/Reimbursement
Ready to Rumble, Mike Colias, January, 32
Hospitals look for ways to regain leverage in contract negotiations as consolidation, a national reach and a surprise ruling by the FTC give insurers the advantage for now
Covering Your Staff: High Costs, Tough Choices, Dagmara Scalise, February, 62
Hospital leaders find that mission meets reality as they consider turning to consumer-directed health plans for their own staffs
Centers of Excellence Take Tiering to the Max, Richard Haugh, May, 42
Insurers say they help direct consumers to the best care; critics say they're a contracting gimmick and will hurt small hospitals
IT Planning & Implementation
Built to Crash, Alan Joch, February, 34
You've invested in glitzy new applications, but you forgot to build the IT infrastructure to support it
Digital Docs, Matthew Weinstock, February, 42
IT-expert physicians (CMIOs) help shape strategic plans
Leadership
Creating a Learning Culture for Quality Leadership, H&HN staff, October, 77
Executive Dialogue series
Performance Improvement in the Era of Quality Improvement, H&HN Staff, November, after 78
Executive Dialogue series
Timelines (package), Mary Grayson, December, 30
Dick Davidson ends his 15-year presidency with his successor, Rich Umbdenstock, poised to build on his legacy of leadership
Management/Governance
A Tale of Two Turnarounds, Karen Sandrick, February, 66
Two hospitals refuse to shut down and instead, built a foundation for the future
Reaching New Heights, Dave Carpenter, May, 38
Jim Collins says greatness a matter of discipline, relentlessness and reputation
Taking Stock, Matthew Weinstock, September, 42
Retiring CEOs Gary Mecklenburg and Anthony Barbato cast long shadows on the Chicago and national health car scene
Collaboration Seattle Style, Richard Haugh, September, 62
Business-provider-insurer-government alliance tackles health care's big issues
The Future of Voluntary Governance, Maureen Glabman, September, 66
As the criteria for board membership becomes more stringent, will trustees want compensation?
Grounded in Community, Mary Grayson, October, 40
An interview with AHA chair-elect William Petasnick
Materials Management/Supplies
Ready for Supply Inflation? Howard Larkin, March, 56
From latex gloves to building supplies and natural gas, global demand is raising prices
Store-Bought Lessons, Bob Kehoe, September, 70
Health system's e-materials strategy saves millions
Nocosomial Infections/Infection Control
Tracking Infections, Dave Carpenter, February, 58
Automated data surveillance helps hospitals get the upper hand
Save Lives Now, Dagmara Scalise, September, 32
30 things you can do to eliminate infections
Palliative/End-of-Life Care
2006 Circle of Life Awards, Jan Green, August, 44
Continuum Hospice Care, New York; St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital, Pontiac, Mich.; Fairview Health Services, Minneapolis
Patient Care
Clinical Observation Units, Lee Ann Runy, March, after 58
Building a bridge between outpatient and inpatient services
Back-to-Basics Measures Save Lives, John DiConsiglio, November, 62
Interview with Donald Berwick, president and CEO, Institute for Healthcare Improvement
Patient Safety/Medical Errors
Patient Safety in the ED, Dagmara Scalise, May, after 48
A guide to identifying and reducing errors in the emergency department
Clinical Communication in Patient Safety, Dagmara Scalise, August, after 48
Communication problems leading root cause of sentinel events in 2005, gatefold examines scope, risks, and strategies for improvement
Under-Mined, Jan Greene, December, 38
A ton of patient safety Data is collected every day, but its vast potential goes to waste
Pay for Performance
Just Rewards, Dagmara Scalise, March, 40
Despite some initial hitches, pay for performance reimbursing providers for quality instead of volume of care is gaining momentum
Predictions/Trends
Outpatients: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow? Richard Haugh, August, 32
Hospitals losing market share to other care settings, creating a new business imperative
2006 AHA Environmental Assessment, Gene O'Dell, October, 47
Research and analysis of market influences that may impact the health care field
Project Management
Hassle-free Consulting, Terese Hudson Thrall, November, 58
Niche firms bring a specific set of skills to certain jobs. Here are five tips to make sure you get the most for your money.
Quality
Quality Report, AHA Quality Center, April, 59
Roundtable on overcoming barriers to quality
2006 Quest for Quality Prize, Lee Ann Runy, September, 47
Winner: Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Citations of Merit: Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo, Mich.; Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women, Memphis, Tenn.
Rural Health Care
A Primer for Building RHIOs, Dagmara Scalise, February, after 48
What are the goals, pitfalls and lessons learned by RHIO pioneers?
Rural IT in Health Care, Chris Serb and Laurie Larson, 57
Information technology challenges in the heartland
Tour of Duty, Brian Vastag, December, 46
Repeat military call-ups to Iraq and Afghanistan exacerbate the staffing squeeze for rural providers
Section: Data Page
Many Barriers Prevent Patients from Getting Medical Care, Lee Ann Runy, January, 29
2005 PRC National Health Assessment
Americans Unaware of Health Care Disparities, Lee Ann Runy, February, 30 "Americans' ™ Views of Disparities in Health Care," Harvard School of Public Health, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and IRC/International Communications Research, 2005
Outpatient Services and ED Visits Continue to Climb, Lee Ann Runy, March, 36
Hospital Statistics, 2006
Patient Rooms Come of Age, Lee Ann Runy, April, 34
Health Facilities Management/Hospitals & Health Networks/AHSE 2006 Construction Survey
What the Future Holds, Lee Ann Runy, May, 28
Futurescan Healthcare Trends and Implications, 2006-2011
Real Emergencies, Lee Ann Runy, June, 28
AHRQ, Center for Delivery, Organization and Markets, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, Nationwide Inpatient Sample, 2003; National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Survey, 2003 Emergency Department Summary
Changes in Hospice Care Outpace Payments, Rachel Foster, August, 26
Leadership Survey, National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, 2005; report to Congress, MedPAC, June 2006
Physician Use of EMRs is Growing, Lee Ann Runy, September, 29
The National Center for Health Statistics, "Electronic Medical Record Use by Office-Based Physicians: United States," 2005; Wall Street Journal Online/Harris Interactive, "Support for the Adoption of New Medical Technologies," October 2005
Code Red: Another Staffing Shortage, Lee Ann Runy, October, 32
"Coding Professionals Today, Tomorrow and the Future'"A Workforce Study," AHIMA and AHA-Central Office, 2006
Staffing Woes, Ambulance Diversions Lead to Longer ED Wait Times, Lee Ann Runy, November, 30
"Staffing Capacity and Ambulance Diversion in Emergency Departments, U.S., 2003-2004," CDC, September 2006; American College of Emergency Physicians response
State Revenues Rise, but So Does Medicaid Spending, Lee Ann Runy, December, 22
Kaiser Commission of Medicaid and the Uninsured/Health Management Associates, 2006
Section: Media Watch
Beyond Home Base, Matthew Weinstock, March, 67
Cleveland Clinic
Getting Real, Kendra A. Hopkins, May, 73
Akron (Ohio) Children's Hospital
Creating a Buzz, Kendra A. Hopkins, June, 62
Morgan Hospital & Medical Center, Martinsville, Ind.
Big-hospital services, small-town care, Kendra A. Hopkins, August, 69
Glens Falls (N.Y.) Hospital
Kid-Tested, Doctor-Approved, Kendra A. Hopkins, September, 98
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
A Change of Heart, Kendra A. Hopkins, November, 91
Cotton-O" ™Neil Heart Center, Topeka, Kan.
Section: Practical Ethics
Bad Behavior, Dagmara Scalise, January, 22
Opinions from Dennis Miller and Jon Van Boening
Shopping for Docs, Drugs, Richard Haugh, February, 28
Opinions from Jeff Walker, M.D., and Alasdair Conn, M.D.
Accept Vendor Dinner? Terese Hudson Thrall, March, 32
Opinions from Bob Fale and Colleen Kannaday
Responsible Investing, Dagmara Scalise, April, 28
Opinions from Joseph A. Quagliata and Chip Hubbs
MD Turns JD, Richard Haugh, May, 20
Opinions from Jeff Sconyers and Scott Pugsley
Use Your Rival's Plan? Terese Hudson Thrall, June, 18
Opinions from Roger Spoelman and Dan Bonk
To Apologize or Not, That is the Question, Dagmara Scalise, July, 24
Opinions from Patricia K. Fox and Sarah Patterson
Fore! Richard Haugh, August, 22
Opinions from Jack Buckley and Rod Davis
English-Only Policy, Terese Hudson Thrall, September, 24
Opinions from Paula Paulk and Lisa Schott
Diversity Dilemma, Dagmara Scalise, October, 28
Opinions from Ray Grady and Sally Steffen
Doc Dilemma, Richard Haugh, November, 22
Opinions from Nancy Schlichting and Bill Schoenhard
Stay or Go? Terese Hudson Thrall, December, 20
Opinions from Sue Clow and Karen Drenkard
Section: Staffing Watch
Staffing Watch, Terese Hudson Thrall, January, 20
Roundup of staffing problems and solutions
Staffing Watch, Terese Hudson Thrall, February, 22
Roundup of staffing problems and solutions
Staffing Watch, Terese Hudson Thrall, March, 26
Roundup of staffing problems and solutions
Staffing Watch, Terese Hudson Thrall, April, 24
Roundup of staffing problems and solutions
Staffing Watch, Terese Hudson Thrall, May, 18
Roundup of staffing problems and solutions
Staffing Watch, Terese Hudson Thrall, June, 16
Roundup of staffing problems and solutions
Staffing Watch, Terese Hudson Thrall, July, 22
Roundup of staffing problems and solutions
Staffing Watch, Terese Hudson Thrall, August, 20
Roundup of staffing problems and solutions
Staffing Watch, Terese Hudson Thrall, September, 20
Roundup of staffing problems and solutions
Staffing Watch, Terese Hudson Thrall, October, 26
Roundup of staffing problems and solutions
Staffing Watch, Terese Hudson Thrall, November, 16
Roundup of staffing problems and solutions
Staffing Watch, Terese Hudson Thrall, December, 16
Roundup of staffing problems and solutions
Specialists/Specialty Hospitals
Hospitalists, Dagmara Scalise, June, 56
In-house docs can ease some vexing problems, but first you’ve got to win over the skeptics
Transparency "New" Consumers
The See-Through Hospital, Dagmara Scalise, November, 34
Transparency is the goal. But what does that mean and how do we get there?
Patient Satisfaction and the New Consumer, Dagmara Scalise, December, after 56
What's most important to health care consumers, what are their expectations and why does patient satisfaction matter more than ever?
Uninsured/Underinsured/Coverage Issues
States Step Up, Mike Colias, April, 38
In the absence of broad federal action, legislator from Maine to Oregon are confronting the problem of the uninsured and the underinsured.
Cutting Both Ways, Matthew Wienstock, July, 54
When U.S. companies and government employers reduce or eliminate retirees health care benefits, hospitals are likely to share the pain
Workforce Issues
Nurse Retention, Lee Ann Runy, January, after 52
An executive's guide to keeping one of your hospital's most valuable resources
Nurturing Your Nurse Managers, Terese Hudson Thrall, April, 71
So much depends on finding and keeping the right people in this complex job that hospitals are trying everything to help them succeed
The New Union Strategy, Richard Haugh, May, 32
Turning the community against you
Emotional Debriefing, Charlotte Huff, August, 38
Hospitals give staff new ways to cope with stress and sadness at work
Who Will Teach the Nurses We Need? Laurie Larson, December, 52
A faculty shortage means nursing schools can't accept enough students to ease RN shortage; hospitals must take lead to correct problem
