The healthcare industry is a top target for cyberattacks in general and ransomware in particular. As a result, cybersecurity has become an important topic for healthcare providers in urban and rural settings. This white paper discusses ways for community hospitals to improve cybersecurity.
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Do you know where your hospital stands? Is it holding its own or barely holding on? CHC Consulting’s Operational Assessment determines your hospital’s status objectively and paves the path to performance enhancements and financial sustainability.
A Comprehensive Operational Assessment:
Includes a thorough review of operations Identifies strengths as well as areas for improvement Forms the basis for a performance enhancement plan with specific action stepsThe Operational Assessment begins with an extensive review of data and documents, coupled with one-on-one interviews with individuals whose perceptions of the...
It’s natural for communities to turn to hospitals during times of health crisis. The outbreak of COVID-19 is a prime example of the important emergency-response role hospitals fill. Over the last several weeks, we’ve seen hospitals across the country prepare for and respond to growing numbers of cases and concerns of the novel coronavirus.
The pandemic also has driven hospital communicators to update crisis communications plans and implement those efforts. Following are several best practices and resources for planning and communicating about COVID-19 emergency response.
Preparation:
Facilities still finalizing preparations...
It’s been said that patients’ ZIP codes matter more than their genetic codes when it comes to health status. That’s because certain conditions in the places where people live, work, learn and play can pose greater health risks and poorer outcomes. In public health terms, these conditions are called social determinants of health or, sometimes, upstream determinants of health. Basically, the concept is that nonclinical factors influence health outcomes.
Scientific research has proven the concept holds. The Annals of Internal Medicine in 2014 examined rehospitalizations based on patients’ place of...
In today’s competitive healthcare market, rural and community hospitals are making do with less. Marketing resources are no exception. It’s not uncommon for smaller hospitals to lack a formal marketing communications function yet still engage in conventional and creative marketing activities. At other hospitals, marketing is one of multiple hats worn by a single person. Case in point: The public relations coordinator who handles marketing for Yoakum Community Hospital—a 23-bed critical access hospital in Yoakum, Texas—also serves as executive assistant and medical staff coordinator, for a total of three formal...
When the Southwest Health System (SHS), in Cortez, Colorado, contacted Community Hospital Corporation (CHC) early in 2018, the hospital had violated various bond covenants associated with its $30 million expansion and renovation project. In fact, the organization had failed to meet the 80 days-cash-on-hand requirements for four consecutive quarters. This violation triggered technical default, which could have led to hospital bankruptcy
and closure.
Lenders concerned with the financial situation communicated with the board directly and required an outside consulting firm to evaluate the situation and develop a...
For years, community hospitals have been in crisis, with limited control over their situation. Could the next move be bold innovation? This white paper maps out possible paths forward including sustainable models of operation.
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Rural hospitals are critical to the communities they serve, but in many areas their role is changing. Demographics tell the story. Patients tend to be older, and many are uninsured. Populations are declining. The decreases result in fewer inpatient admissions, but they have not reduced the need for emergency care or primary care physicians. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that 20% of the U.S. population is rural, but only 12% of primary care physicians are working in rural areas — and their numbers per capita are declining.
All of these...
Thin margins have long been a reality for most rural hospitals, but a worsening array of issues—from increasing charity care and bad debt to declining reimbursements and rural populations—have forced growing numbers of them into financial distress. Despite today’s challenging operating environment, many rural hospitals across the country are using a practical approach to get turned around before bankruptcy or closure become imminent threats.
Step 1: AWARENESS
Know the signs and symptoms of declining financial health
Certain financial indicators are clear signs that “business as usual” isn’t working and course...
