Health care trends: Home remedy

Florida Trend Exclusive
Health care trends: Home remedy

Florida hospitals are using new technology and strategies to take care of patients where they are most comfortable — at home. Half a dozen hospitals or hospital systems across the state have signed up with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for waivers to provide acute hospital services at patients’ homes. Patients receiving care at home tend to remain more mobile — whether from getting up to go the bathroom or going to the kitchen to make a meal. As a result, they tend not to need the extra rehab that many patients require after a hospitalization. [Source: Florida Trend]

Florida is still battling the federal government over imported drugs

Four years after Florida lawmakers passed a plan to import cheaper prescription drugs from Canada, the plan remains snarled in disputes between the state and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The state on Friday filed a lawsuit alleging that the Food and Drug Administration violated the Freedom of Information Act by not properly responding to a request for records about Florida’s attempt to get approval for the importation program. The state also filed a similar federal lawsuit in July — a case that remains unresolved. [Source: News Service of Florida]

How a 2019 Florida law catalyzed a hospital-building boom

Florida is among states that abandoned a regulation meant to keep medical costs in check. One town, for example, will have three general hospitals within a five-minute drive. Is that too many? In BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel’s 86 private rooms, patients can use voice-activated Alexa devices to dim the lights, play music or summon a nurse. BayCare boasts some of the latest high-tech equipment. Yet, the company said, its $246 million facility that opened here in March doesn't provide any health care services beyond what patients could receive at a hospital just two miles away.  [Source: USA Today]

Florida HCA patients at risk due to low staffing, union warns

Failures documented in federal reports are included in a study from the union representing 10,000 workers at 18 Florida HCA Healthcare hospitals. Its conclusion? That the company is risking patient safety by deliberately understaffing its hospitals so it can pay billions in dividends to shareholders. The company, the country’s largest health system, in 2021 reported earning $58.7 billion in revenue with profits of about $7 billion. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Florida lawmakers advance plan to regulate pharmacy benefit managers

After the Senate passed its version of the plan Wednesday, the House on Friday moved forward with a proposal that would increase regulations on pharmacy benefit managers. The issue has drawn heavy lobbying as pharmacy benefit managers play a central — and big-dollar — role in the health care system. The legislation could affect a wide range of people and interests, including patients, pharmacies, health insurers, drug manufacturers and employers. [Source: News Service of Florida]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Licenses that Miami and Broward nurses lied about education to get remain ‘Clear/Active’ [Miami Herald]
Three nurses in Miami-Dade and Broward who “knowingly misrepresented” their educational background still have “clear/active” licenses according to the license information on the Florida Department of Health website — but the department has filed complaints to change that.

› Hundreds gather to raise mental health awareness in Central Florida [WESH]
Nearly one thousand people gathered in Altamonte Springs for NAMIWalks, one of the country’s largest mental health fundraisers, with WESH 2’s Christina Watkins as this year’s host. People at the walk say they’re seeing progress in the cause. “It’s great,” said Elizabeth Franko, one of the event’s attendees. “I wasn’t finding help when I needed it before, but I’m finding it much more now.”

› Strokes: how to prevent them, how to treat them. Mayo Jax specialists offer answers [WJCT]
A stroke is a medical emergency in which the blood supply to the brain is disrupted, leading to damage and dysfunction. The devastating results can affect the way sufferers speak, think and even breathe. However, the health care surrounding stroke has improved significantly over the years. Like heart attacks, there are now specialized treatment centers, ambulances and doctors. So much can be done for patients if treated quickly.

› University of Florida Health announces AI-driven radiology initiative [Health IT Analytics]
University of Florida (UF) Health and Nuance Communications Inc., a Microsoft company, have launched a collaboration aimed at leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to make radiologists’ work more efficient and precise. Under the collaboration, UF Health will tap Nuance’s expertise in radiology voice recognition and AI deployment.

Tags: Health Care eNews

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• A Florida health provider says better building design can help patients heal
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