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Managing Healthcare Reform: 4 Areas of Focus

By: Bethany Nock | On: January 3, 2017

Nurses have always played an integral role in providing quality care. New legislation from the last five to six years has provided even more opportunities for nurses to have an important part of enacting change.

There’s never been a better time for nurses to take an active role in healthcare management and innovation because of the Affordable Care Act. As a nurse leader, you are uniquely positioned to shape healthcare reform efforts in your hospital.

Keep these four focus areas in mind as you manage healthcare reform at your organization.

How to Prepare Your Clinic for Value-Based Payments

By: Bethany Nock | On: December 28, 2016

In health care, even minor changes to everyday procedures—for example, updating clinic protocol to include the application of a topical anesthetic before a procedure—take time to get used to. Every member of a care team, from a staff nurse to a physician, must update the routine that they’ve possibly been following for years.

When a major change is introduced, such as the recent transition from fee-for-service (FFS) payment structures to a value-based care (VBC) model for all healthcare systems, it means unprecedented changes in how healthcare organizations are run.

Whether you’ve just entered private practice or your practice has been open for years, it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed by the new reimbursement process. Although the new system may be challenging, these strategies can help make the transition easier.

How Private Practice Physicians Can Combat Rising Costs

By: Bethany Nock | On: December 7, 2016

Cost containment is one of the most important issues facing private practice physicians today. The price of supplies, increasing staffing costs and declining reimbursements all affect your bottom line, as does the constant need to update computer equipment and software. In fact, a 2016 Medical Group Management Association survey revealed that physicians spend $32,500 per year on healthcare technology alone.

Luckily, there are a few things you can do to tackle rising costs. These tips just may help you keep your costs down this year.

Ensuring Safe Nurse-to-Patient Ratios: What You Can Do

By: Bethany Nock | On: December 1, 2016

Hospital management teams are always on the lookout for methods to trim costs and improve efficiency. Since nurses account for a large percentage of the hospital staff, a frequently used strategy to decrease costs is to reduce the number of nurse labor hours. However, considering the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has placed greater emphasis on value-based care, the appropriate nurse-to-patient ratio is essential to guarantee patients receive the highest quality care.

Traditional nurse staffing systems fail to account for certain variables, resulting in staff shortages and an inability for nurses to spend adequate time caring for their patients. Newer staffing models are more flexible and can be adjusted to fit not only the needs of the entire hospital but also the needs of individual units.

Here are four approaches hospitals can take to ensure safe nurse-to-patient ratios.

3 Reasons to Consider a Bachelor of Science in Nursing

By: Bethany Nock | On: November 29, 2016

Today, nurses are required to have, at minimum, an associate degree in nursing (ADN) to administer care. While every nurse has certainly received the clinical training required to provide quality care, having a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) usually leads to increased opportunities for personal and professional development.

Although there’s no doubt taking classes in addition to working full time will make life a little more chaotic, nurses who are interested in continuing their education should reflect on the advantages the degree can have for their patients, their hospital and themselves.

Here are three reasons why you should consider pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

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