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The article looks at the efforts of hospitals and healthcare centers in dealing with the issue of cybercrime, and keeping their healthcare data in utmost security level in the U.S. as of July 2016. Topics discussed include escalation in the types of acts criminals will take to profit from stealing hospital data, the importance of cybersecurity according to the 2016 Health Care's Most Wired survey, and the use of security systems like pattern detection to prevent automated logins.

The article focuses on risk-based care and reimbursement models implemented by several State Medicaid programs in the U.S. in response to health care reforms in the Medicare program. Topics mentioned include variations in the implementation of Medicaid reform including global payments and managed care expansion, an overview of the global payments model adopted by Oregon, and funding provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to promote health care innovation. INSET: National thought.

The article discusses health care for baby boomers and innovative approaches used by health institutions to service the demands of this generation. Included in the approaches discussed are physician ratings, retirement development such as the Union Village senior residence development in Las Vegas, Nevada, and using telecommunications software Skype to deliver care to patients. Also included are Tandem365 for post-acute care, and Care4Today program for cardiac rehab patients.

The article discusses the need for reforming the business model used by most care providers in the U.S. Topics covered include the change in the work managed by a health system's chief financial officer as well as the complication in the overall reimbursement model. Also mentioned is the increasing interest of providers in improving their population health management efforts. INSETS: TECHNICALLY...IT'S A BIG PROBLEM;BACK TO BASICS.

The article discusses how caring for chronically ill elderly patients is one of the biggest challenges in health care which will likely intensify as baby boomers grow older and sicker. It cites a study which found that baby boomers are more likely to have hypertension, high cholesterol and obesity as they tend to indulge when it comes to food and alcohol consumption. It points to MedNet-One Health Solutions which helps physician groups with wellness activities and chronic care models. INSETS: About the series;EXECUTIVE CORNER.

The article explores the challenges posed by the retirement of the members of the Baby Boom generation on the health care sector in the U.S. It explains that the number of retirement-age baby boomers will reach more than 71 million by 2029. It also predicts Medicare expenditures to reach one trillion dollars by 2022. The article also considers various strategies to cope with the health care demand of the baby boomers. INSETS: Teaming up on eldercare;EXECUTIVE CORNER.

The article presents an overview of health insurance exchanges which will become operational in the U.S. on October 1, 2013 as a result of the U.S. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. A discussion of the expected benefits and challenges that are expected to be associated with the implementation of health insurance exchanges is presented. INSETS: The nuts and bolts of an INSURANCE EXCHANGE;Hospitals and physician groups join ENROLLMENT CAMPAIGN;PRIVATE EXCHANGES are yet another option.

The article discusses the development of an experimental bioelectronic device by the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research which could benefit patients with rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Topics explored include the statement issued by Feinstein chief executive officer (CEO) Kevin Tracey regarding the therapeutic potential of bioelectronic devices, the possible use of this device instead of medications, and the cost of rheumatoid arthritis treatment options. INSET: The Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug Problem.

The article reports on ways U.S. hospitals are working more closely with local public health departments to identify community needs and develop strategies to meet those needs. Topics include why hospitals should work closely with their local public health agencies, stages of the hospital-public health integration process, and the value of collaboration in improving care coordination and access.

The article examines how health systems are developing new care models to meet the needs of the baby boomer generation. Topics discussed include the impact of reduced health care costs on providing improved quality for concepts of care, and the high rate of Medicare eligibility for baby boomers in the age range of 49 to 68 years. The article emphasizes the need to redesign health care systems for increased engagement of baby boomer patients and the use of technology. INSETS: About the series.;EXECUTIVE CORNER..

The article discusses the importance of health reform to address Medicare problems with baby boom generation. Topics covered include the population of the baby boom generation members who will go into retirement, problems with their care and threats posed to hospitals. Also mentioned is the year when the baby boomers are expected to reach their retirement age. INSETS: A long-term -- and bleaker -- problem;EXECUTIVE CORNER.

The article reports developments in the outbreak of the Elizabethkingia anophelis bacteria in the U.S., particularly in Wisconsin, as of May 2016. Also cited are the deaths caused by the outbreak based on data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health, the report by the Illinois Department of Public Health on the cases in its jurisdiction, and the comment by Nasia Safdar of University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics on the developments.

The article discusses the population health management tools and techniques used by health care organizations to better manage the care of the people while preventing or limiting medical issues. Topics covered include the population health strategies used by health care organization Trinity Health, the care-coordination-focused approach of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare in Memphis, Tennessee, and the Illinois Medicaid program used by health care company NextLevel Health in Chicago, Illinois.

An interview with KentuckyOne Health president and chief executive Ruth Brinkley is presented. When asked about the importance of diversity and minimizing disparity in health care, she explained that just as the U.S. is diverse as a nation, so with any health care system's customers is. She also tackles the need for leadership succession planning. She mentions being a nurse and how it has helped her spend more time on the business side of health care.

The article looks at health care services provided by Hill Country Memorial Hospital in Fredericksburg, Texas and St. David's HealthCare in Austin, Texas, winners of the Malcolm Balridge National Quality Award in health care. Topics mentioned include an overview of the Balridge quality improvement process, comments from Jayne Pope, chief executive officer of Hope Country on the core competencies of the hospital, and consistent performance of St. David's across various disease categories.

The article reports on the launch of an incubated technology company called Xealth by the health system Providence St. Joseph Health through its Digital Innovation Group.

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses articles published within the issue on topics including the 2017 Health Care's Most Wired program, the American Hospital Association's Hospital Improvement Innovation Network, and an interview with media executive Mick Ebeling.

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including innovation at Providence Health & Services, do-it-yourself care, and a question and answer session with physician Rishi Manchanda.

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including compliance of hospital leaders to health care laws in the U.S., the 2017 American Hospital Association (AHA) Annual Membership Meeting, and the immersion of hospital trustees.

The article focuses on the increased demand for physician assistants in the healthcare system. Topics mentioned include factors contributing to the rising demand for physician assistants such as high quality of care they provide and cost effectiveness, an overview of the training undergone by physician assistants using the same model of medical schools, and their role as primary clinical responders for a sepsis hotline at Baylor Scott & White Health network in Texas.

The article examines the issues that will challenge a hospital executive as he deals with the cost of information technology integration when the facility undergoes an acquisition or a merger. Topics discussed include the addition of at least two percent to the cost of operations, delay in the completion of the transaction and consideration of labor costs.

The article offers information on an online guide titled "A Practical Playbook: Public Health and Primary Care Together" to help health care providers offer better care to patients.

The article discusses the need for hospitals to pay attention to patient financial engagement as patients take on a greater share of the financial responsibility for their health care. It cites the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) which unveiled a set of guidelines for hospitals to following abut their financial communications with patients and its plans to launch a voluntary financial communications skills recognition program for hospitals in the first quarter of 2014.

The article presents an interview with Steve Solomon, the director of the Office of Antimicrobial Resistance at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). When asked about a growing epidemic of antimicrobial resistance in the U.S., Solomon says the problem has existed since the 1940s. He comments on why the CDC issued a report on antimicrobial resistance in 2013. Solomon believes that good hand hygiene can prevent most infections.

The article reports on concerns about the increasing use of mobile health technology which have been voiced by several government agencies and private businesses in the U.S., including the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research in the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Scripps Health.

The article profiles the Franklin Woods Community Hospital in Johnson City, Tennessee, which is part of the Mountain States Health Alliance and was nominated for the 2013 American Hospital Association-McKesson Quest for Quality Prize. A discussion of the hospital's ten year strategic plan to improve the quality of medical care and increase employee commitment to patients is presented.

The article profiles Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, which in 2013 was awarded with the American Hospital Association-McKesson Quest for Quality Prize. A discussion of the factors that led the association to award the center with the prize, which is given for exceptional quality medical care, is presented.

The article presents an interview with physician Karen Desalvo, the health commissioner of New Orleans, Louisiana. When asked how health care has changed as a result of Hurricane Katrina, Desalvo says that medical professionals have made a deliberate effort to change health care access in New Orleans. She comments on public health programs that she is working on in 2013. Desalvo believes that changes made to to New Orleans' health care system have also happened in other U.S. locations.

The article presents an interview with physician Susan Skochelak, the American Medical Association group vice president of medical education and director of the association's Center for Transforming Medical Education. When asked whether the center's project called Accelerating Change in Medical Education is necessary, Skochelak says that medical education changes constantly. She comments on obstacles which will prevent change. Skochelak believes that budget cuts will not impact the project.

The article presents information on takeaways from the final rule for the Medicare Access & CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) in the U.S. such as the impact of the increased reporting of Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) data on a clinician's positive payment adjustments, the implementation of the Quality Payment Program (QPP), and the qualification for bonuses of the advanced Alternative Payment Models (APMs).

The article presents an interview with Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford (LPCH) president and chief executive officer (CEO) Christopher Dawes about the operations of pediatric hospitals, challenges being faced by these hospitals, and the expansion of the diagnostic capabilities of LPCH.

The article features Angus, an English springer spaniel trained to use his nose to detect toxins found in the bacteria superbug Clostridium difficile, who will be going through the halls of Vancouver General Hospital in British Columbia to help prevent the spread of C. difficile.

The article presents the results of the survey carried out by Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy and the Episcopal Health Foundation in Texas about the people's understanding on the various terms used in the insurance sector as of May 2016, including co-insurance.

The article focuses on the WomenHeart organization's National Hospital Alliance which aims to train female heart patients to lead support groups for those with heart disease.

The article discusses studies on the expansion of nurses' roles professionally and in leadership, as well as the depression levels among medical residents.

This section offers healthcare news briefs as of December 2015 including effectiveness of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's patient safety program, retirement prospects for nurses, and results of a survey on career choices in nursing.

A review is offered for the Virtual Care Center of Mercy Health System located at South Outer Forty Road in Chesterfield, Missouri.

The article discusses the use of the population health management approach known as the Camden Model by the Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare based in Memphis, Tennessee. Topics covered include the important role of the church coalition called the Congregational Health Network in the community engagement efforts of Methodist Le Bonheur, the launching of the "Familiar Faces" program in January 2014, and the important role of a patient navigator in the Methodist Le Bonheur's program.

The article discusses the population health management program called "People-Centered 2020" developed and used by health care organization Trinity Health in Livonia, Michigan. Topics covered include the objectives of the program according to Trinity Health senior vice president of clinical integration and accountable care Dr. Paul Harkaway, the care transitions program used in Trinity Health's regional health system Mercy Health, and the important aspects of "People-Centered 2020" program.

The article discusses the systematic approach used by health care company NextLevel health in Chicago, Illinois to resolve issues relating to the wellness of the Medicaid populations. Topics covered include the use of hands-on personal attention and technology to better handle the beneficiaries' health, the different components of NextLevel's population health management program, and the benefits of using a community-based model according to NextLevel's chief operating officer Jacquelyn Smith.

The article discusses the story beads program launched by officials at the Hackensack University Medical Center to ease the stress of the families of infants confined in the Center's neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

This article reports that in June 2015, residents of Everett, Washington, made a failed attempt to set a Guinness World Record on hula hooping after rain dampened participation, and mentions the role played by the Providence Institute for a Healthier Community in organizing the event.

This article reports that Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, is getting ready for the meaningful use of data analytics. Topics covered include the benefits of data analytics for hospitals such as improving care and reducing unnecessary costs, comment from Darren Dworkin of Cedars-Sinai on the hospital's need to have a better understanding of what is happening in real time, and the hospital's investment in data analytics company Health Care DataWorks.

The article focuses on the addition of news departments by hospitals. It discusses the role of social media sites and applications in the hospitals' development of connections to the community, the appointment of journalists by hospitals, and features of the web site Spectrum Health Beat launched by Spectrum Health.

An interview with Eric Crowell, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of UnityPoint Health-Des Moines, is presented. He talks about the reason of UnityPoint for partnering with two area hospitals as members of a community health-focused collaborative. He discusses whether it is unusual to work with competing hospitals on a project. Also, he describes awkward moments in dealing with the two hospitals.

The article reports the initiative of the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in making its data available to the public in a bid to enhance care and customized decision-making processes.

An interview with Baptist Health System president and chief executive Graham Reeve is presented. When asked about the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) new set of rules for the Medicare Shared Savings Program, he enumerates three positive things about the rules. He also talks about the favorable performance of their accountable care organization (ACO). He shares that as a result of the ACO, they learned the value of aligning incentives among providers.

The article reports on the creation of a walking trail within the Twinsburg Family Health and Surgery Center campus in Cleveland, Ohio.

The article discusses health information technology (IT) innovations launched by venture capital firm Ascension Ventures to contribute to the increasing implementation of electronic health records (EHR) system by hospitals. Topics explored include the investment opportunities associated with health IT, the involvement of the firm in medical device manufacturing and health care services sectors, and the capabilities of its Ingenious Med cloud computing technology-based system.