on September 19, 2012 |
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Topics: Service Lines, Cardiovascular, Hospital-Physician Alignment, Physician Issues, Staffing, Efficiency, Performance Improvement
Eric Bushlow, Cardiovascular Roundtable
The American College of Cardiology recently conducted a survey of nearly 2,500 cardiology practices across the U.S. to assess changing practice dynamics.
In 2007, a similar survey revealed a modest uptick in hospital employment of cardiologists. However, recent data indicates significant change in the employment landscape, demonstrating substantial increases in cardiologist employment.
Dramatic reimbursement challenges preventing optimal financial performance for previously independent physician practices are credited with this increase.
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Survey says: Cardiologist employment is on the rise
on August 21, 2012 |
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Topics: Cardiac Surgery, Cardiovascular, Service Lines, Midlevel Providers, Strategy, Staffing, Efficiency, Performance Improvement
Nicole MacMillan, Cardiovascular Roundtable
Physician assistants (PAs) are as safe and efficacious as physicians when assisting in cardiac surgeries, says a single-center study recently published in the Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
Results showed no differences in outcomes when comparing cases first-assisted by PAs to those assisted by physicians or surgeons (MDs), lending credence to the notion described in an accompanying commentary that CV PAs are "invaluable surgical partners in every sense of the word" to those they are aiding.
Studies proliferate as PAs become essential
Studies like these serve to support more widespread use and recognition of physician assistants, particularly at a time when hospital budgets are increasingly tight and providers need to focus on appropriate allocation of all staffing dollars.
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JAAPA study: Cardiac surgery PAs provide as safe, effective first-assist care as physicians
on August 1, 2012 |
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Topics: Cardiovascular, Service Lines, Workforce Planning, Workforce, Employment, Physician Issues, Readmissions, Quality, Performance Improvement, Staffing, Efficiency
Carly Anderson, Cardiovascular Roundtable
Given the recent nationwide focus on heart failure (HF) readmissions—and many hospitals’ struggle to reduce readmissions by any significant amount—the Roundtable has been fielding an increased number of requests on HF transitional coaches, coordinators, and other multidisciplinary staff.
CV specialists seek staff that can provide patient education and post-discharge follow-up to decrease the likelihood of readmission, and also further coordinate and improve care for this complex and comorbid population.
Access a compilation of job descriptions and responsibilities to designate roles for programs focused on HF management and improvement.
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Ready your staff to reduce heart failure readmissions
