Being hospitalized during the holidays can be stressful and saddening for your patients. It is important to remember that your patients are having a difficult time. As a nurse, you can take some simple steps to help your patients feel more joyful during this hard...
Month: November 2018
Did a TX hospital commit a crime by failing to release patients?
Psychiatric facilities must operate while maintaining a difficult balance: provide the care patients need while not discharging them at a time they could injure themselves or others. A failure to navigate this balance wisely can result in allegations of criminal...
3 lessons from NY medical center accused of healthcare fraud
It began with a remodel project. A hospital in Northern New York decided to update its site. The project included the addition of new patient suites and upgrades, scheduled for completion in 2019. The cost of the project soared from $466 million to $545 million. Funds...
Nurses in Texas: Watch out for these two work related concerns
Those who choose to enter the profession of nursing must prepare to navigate a number of issues. Two examples currently spotlighted by the media include the various scopes of practice and problems with patient violence. Scope of practice: Different in every state...
Private equity deals with healthcare practices break records
The healthcare industry broke private equity activity records in 2017. Becker’s Hospital Review reports six big deals that were announced just this month. They include everything from a physical therapy practice management company to a healthcare software company....
Will midterm elections lead to regulatory change?
The results are in — Democrats gained at least 28 seats in the House of Representatives and have control of the chamber while the Republicans hold their majority in the Senate. This shift could impact a number of areas, including the push for regulatory relief in the...
Insurance company demands TX hospital return $1 million
Navigating the intricacies of insurance payments is difficult, even for hospital officials. One local hospital is attempting to figure out what went wrong that led to an insurance company accusing the hospital of fraudulent billing practices.Practices elaborated: Was...
Physicians and labs: New law increases risk of investigation
The “Substance Use Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communications Act,” also known as the SUPPORT Act, is a broad piece of legislation signed into law by President Donald Trump on October 24, 2018. The law will impact...
Texas doctor faces seven years in prison for fraud
The Department of Justice continues to crack down on allegations of bribery in the healthcare industry. In the latest case, the government accused a Texas surgeon of paying and receiving bribes in relation to his medical practice.The scheme allegedly involved the...
Escobar decision and implied certification in FCA cases
The False Claims Act (FCA) makes it illegal to use false or fraudulent claims to seek payment from government sources, like Medicare and Medicaid. This law is complex. Court cases have questioned the best way to apply the FCA to establish a violation. These cases...