Ease the Way - Gebauer Patient Comfort Blog | Healthcare Administration (10)

Why Nurse Leaders Should Join a Hospital Governing Board

By: Bethany Nock | On: March 2, 2017

Nurse leaders historically have been underrepresented on hospital governing boards. Although most boards included at least a few doctors, it was unusual to see a nurse serve. Unfortunately, that meant the very people who had important experience and insights about patient care didn’t have a voice in the way the hospital was run.

Today, as hospital leaders realize the importance of creating a collaborative environment, nurses are gradually being added to hospital boards. Supporting this initiative is The Nurses on Board Coalition (NOBC). Founded in 2014, the NOBC represents two dozen national nursing and other organizations, including the American Nurses Association, American Academy of Nursing and AARP. Its mission is to increase awareness of the unique perspective nurses can offer and ensure at least 10,000 nurses are on corporate and health-related boards as well as panels and commissions by 2020.

Becoming a member of your hospital’s governing board is an excellent way to initiate positive changes that will benefit the entire hospital and improve patient care. Here are three reasons that you should consider joining a governing board.

9 Best Practices for Hospital Fundraising

By: Bethany Nock | On: February 14, 2017

Grants, Medicare payments and private payor reimbursements may be enough to keep a hospital running, but substantial improvements to a hospital require financial assistance from outside donors.

Successfully soliciting contributions can be challenging; taking the wrong approach can have major consequences. However, a healthcare organization's facilities can benefit tremendously from well-executed fundraising programs.

Read on to learn nine of the best practices for hospital fundraising.

Introduction to the FY 2017 Hospital IPPS Final Rule

By: Bethany Nock | On: January 31, 2017

Along with “eat better” and “exercise more,” “learn more about the Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) final rule” should definitely be on your list of 2017 resolutions.

Unraveling the complexities of the hospital IPPS final rule will be a hefty undertaking, but if you get started now, you’ll be ahead of the pack.

Here are a few of the key ways the IPPS final rule will affect hospitals.

Hospital Hazards: Top 3 Health Risks for Staff Nurses

By: Bethany Nock | On: January 25, 2017

To be a nurse is to be a selfless caregiver. From the moment a nurse walks into a hospital or clinic, their main priority is protecting the health and safety of their patients.

While ensuring the health and safety of patients is essential, nurses can’t ignore the importance of their own health and safety. Nurses not only experience the challenges of professionals who are on their feet all day (such as muscle strain and fatigue) but they also face a unique set of risks not usually found outside a hospital or clinic.

To reduce health risks, injury and illness, pay attention to these four safety issues that affect staff nurses.

Fascinating Facts about the Affordable Care Act (ACA)

By: Bethany Nock | On: January 17, 2017

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has had a big impact on the healthcare landscape. The legislation has led the shift from volume-based care to value-based care and makes health and wellness services available to millions of Americans who were previously unable to secure insurance coverage.

Healthcare professionals are familiar with a great deal about the ACA, but certain provisions of the law are not as well-known. For instance, did you know that Medicare reimbursement for services provided by certified nurse midwives (CNM) has increased to 100 percent of the Physician Fee Schedule? This means CNMs now receive the same reimbursement as physicians for services covered by Medicare.

Read on to learn even more fascinating facts about the ACA.