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‘Code Critical’ Process Speeds Care to Critically Ill Patients Who Present to ED
In 2016, a suburban California emergency department began working on a new alert process designed to ensure medical patients not covered by alerts already in place would receive the same type of rapid, timely response that other alerts trigger. The resulting approach, dubbed “code critical,” has proven successful at accelerating care to a broad category of critically ill patients.
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More Pediatric Patients Visiting ED for Mental Health-Related Reasons
Universal screening for suicidal ideation is an important step toward improving care quality for young patients with mental health disorders. More research is needed to determine how to optimally equip all emergency departments to manage pediatric cases.
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Improving the ED Care Experience for Young Patients with Sensory Sensitivities
A growing number of pediatric emergency departments have made environmental changes, and staff members are learning how to better engage and communicate with patients diagnosed with autism or other sensory sensitivities.
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Chest X-Rays Used to Predict COVID-19 Severity in Young and Middle-Aged Adults
Investigators noted this is the first study to demonstrate the value of using X-rays in the emergency department to predict how sick COVID-19 patients are likely to become, and potentially use this information to allocate resources and expedite needed treatment in the most severe cases.
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Hospitals Innovate to Meet Surging Demand for Palliative Care Services
Faced with more demand for palliative care services, some hospitals have devised new solutions for accelerating this kind of expertise to providers, many of whom are overwhelmed with providing care to critically ill patients with complex needs.
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Feedback on Problematic Calls Comes from Coworkers, Not Supervisors
A supervisor says she received a complaint from a patient about rude treatment. She asks you, the registrar, whom the complaint is about, to listen to a recording of the call. Then, the supervisor asks if you think you provided good customer service. This approach could lead the team member to become embarrassed and defensive — and could permanently damage the feedback loop between supervisor and employee.
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Tools Say Patient is Eligible, but Only Dental or Vision Is Covered
Many registrars have excellent eligibility verification software at their disposal. Still, some responses are interpreted incorrectly. Two factors make it harder to determine eligibility: lack of standardization of health plan insurance cards and inconsistency in the way returned results are formatted.
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Upfront Collections Processes Are (Somewhat) Upended
Upfront collections are a major focus for revenue cycle departments, with a strong emphasis on early financial clearance of accounts. Widespread unemployment and coverage loss has altered that for the foreseeable future, at least to some extent.
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Prompt Pay Discounts Can Reduce A/R Days, but Consistent Policies Are a Must
More people are trying to barter for healthcare. In turn, certain facilities may offer discounts to patients who commit to satisfying some or all of their financial responsibilities before receiving services.
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Payers, Providers Speed Care by Agreeing on What Does Not Need Authorization
If prior authorizations are eliminated with upfront agreements, this can create more time for patient access staff. Registrars can focus on helping patients understand their coverage and out-of-pocket costs.