A month into 2013, no doubt you’re seeing certain trends at play in your hospital or healthcare facility. According to the American Hospital Association and Hospitals & Health Networks these 10 key themes will mark much of the hospital and healthcare industry this year:
- Associations: Membership in hospital and healthcare provider associations is proving a profitable decision. Among the benefits are data collection and analysis that can be used to develop business goals, objectives and strategy; and encouragement of discussion among peers via social media outlets;
- Information technology and e-health: ICD-10 implementation looms large, as does , mobile health, big data, information exchange and EHRs;
- Insurance and coverage: Medicare costs, Medicaid spending and enrollment growth and consumer-driven health plans no doubt will figure significantly;
- Political issues: Capitol Hill will always play into your plans, and recent rulings will mean significant change and challenge. Of top concern this year are the reduction of Medicare provider rates, the Supreme Court ruling Medicaid expansion unconstitutional, and the reduction of federal support for hospital Medicaid and Medicare programs;
- Provider organizations and physicians: The rise of retail clinics, the creation of a culture of performance excellence and accountability, and the increasing need for hospitals to operate more leanly and effectively are major drivers this year;
- Quality and patient safety: More hospitals are instituting penalties for poor quality metrics, developing cost savings opportunities in supply-sensitive care, offering care coordination during hospital-to-home transitions, and addressing concern that public reports fairly and accurately reflect hospital performance;
- Science and technology: Hospitals and healthcare providers continue to trend toward wireless, paperless, high-tech and eco-friendly operation. This includes the capability to build and enhance virtual provider networks, the use of smartphones and tablets, the proliferation of e-visits, and the facilitation of hospital care through wireless technology;
- Human resources: Building trust between physicians and hospitals, demand for highly skilled human capital, and shortages of primary care physician will significantly factor into your hiring decisions;
- Consumers and demographics: Your physicians will see a rise in adult and childhood obesity and an increase in chronic conditions among patients. More Baby Boomers are working past the age of 65 and families are providing the majority of care to the elderly;
- Economy and finance: A negative outlook for the nonprofit health care sector based on modest projections for hospital revenue growth, the expectation of ongoing economic softness throughout the country, and financial and operating pressures resulting from regulatory challenges will remain for several years. Facilities that are part of hospital mergers and acquisitions will fare best.
How is your hospital addressing these trends and challenges? Post your thoughts on the MDM Healthcare Facebook Fan Page.