Surgery common among elderly Medicare patients at end of life
Nearly one-third of elderly Americans covered by Medicare have surgery in their last year of life—especially in the last month or final week of life—that often is unnecessary, unwanted by the patient, and may be influenced by financial…
Veterans Health Administration hospital patients “rebound” as often as patients at private hospitals
A new analysis by Medicare has found that patients 65 or older suffering from heart failure, heart attacks, or pneumonia are just as likely to be readmitted within a month at Veterans Health Administration (VA) hospitals as at…
Patients at small, isolated, rural hospitals in U.S. more likely to receive lower quality of care compared with other hospitals
For immediate release: July 5, 2011 In the first national study to examine care at critical access hospitals (CAHs) in rural areas of the U.S., Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers found that CAHs have fewer clinical…
Experts lay out future of health IT at PHAT conference
May 5, 2011 -- Paper medical records—the 19th century tools still used by most 21st century medical providers—are a big part of what’s ailing the United States’ health care system, HSPH Assoc. Prof. Ashish Jha told an audience of representatives from…
Study finds Blacks more likely to be readmitted to hospitals after discharge
For immediate release: Tuesday, February 15, 2011 Boston, MA – Elderly black patients were more likely to be readmitted to the hospital after a prior hospital stay for a heart attack, heart failure, or pneumonia, according to a…
U.S. hospitals making only modest gains in adoption of electronic health records
Few Meet Federal Guidelines for "Meaningful Use,” Putting Potential Stimulus Funding at Risk For immediate release: Thursday, August 26, 2010 Boston, MA – Transforming the U.S. health care system from paper-based to electronic-based may improve health care quality…
Study finds U.S. hospitals extremely slow to adopt electronic health records, citing cost
Money Targeted for Health Technology In Stimulus Package May Help, but Widespread Adoption a Long Way Away For immediate release: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 Boston, MA - There is broad consensus that electronic health records (EHR) have the…
In first national survey, patients give low scores to hospitals on pain management and discharge instructions
For immediate release: Wednesday, October 29, 2008 Boston, MA -- The quality of hospitals across the U.S. is inconsistent. To address this issue, the federal government and private organizations have begun to publicly report data, such as how…
A tool for tracking EHR adoption rates
[ Fall 2008 ] Tracking the progress of adoption rates requires reliable record-keeping Tracking the progress of anything, including health IT adoption, requires reliable record-keeping. The July 3 New England Journal of Medicine survey report, funded by the Office of…
Electronic health records
[ Fall 2008 ] Electronic health records could make care safer and save money. So why aren't more doctors and hospitals using them? Boston internist "Dr. Sean James" greets patient "Sara Hill" in an examination room, then sits down at…
