Florida Trend Exclusive
Anesthesia ‘turf battle’
Laura Molina, president of the Florida Association of Nurse Anesthetists, does most of her work out of state. She takes short-term contracts in states where she can sedate patients without a physician’s supervision. Her organization has tried for years to get the Florida Legislature to grant similar autonomy to Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) like her. Anesthesiologists are among the specialties facing a shortage in the state, and Molina argues the autonomous practice could fill in some of the staffing gaps so procedures aren’t delayed. [Source: Florida Trend]
Trade war with China threatens to raise Florida hospital costs
China produces 90% of the ibuprofen used in over-the counter pain medication for the United States and is the largest producer of antibiotics worldwide, said Florida Hospital Association President and CEO Mary Mayhew. Even a conservative 5% increase in the cost of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies would result in a $500 million rise in health care costs across Florida, she said. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida House passes mental health and substance abuse bill
The legislation aims to improve and update processes to make mental health services more effective and more accessible. The Department of Children and Families (DCF) would oversee 988 crisis lifeline centers, which were established by the federal government in 2022, to ensure they meet accreditation standards. DCF would further adopt rules to deliver the service and implement statewide interoperability with the 911 system. [Source: Florida Politics]
Florida’s maternal health care grade improves, but critical issues remain
Florida received a “D+” grade from the March of Dimes when it comes to adequate maternal health care. That’s slightly improved from a “D” in 2023, according to the March of Dimes annual report cards. The report highlights the ongoing challenges faced by mothers in the United States. But one group, Black women, experience disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality, preterm births, and infant mortality. [Source: Click Orlando]
New nursing school opens as Florida faces critical nursing shortages
As Florida’s hospitals grapple with severe shortages across all health professionals, a new option for aspiring nurses is now open in Osceola County. According to the Florida Hospital Association (FHA), the state’s population is growing by more than 800 people a day, with over half of these individuals being over 60 and in need of healthcare services. A 2021 FHA report found that Florida would face a shortage of nearly 60,000 nurses by 2035 due to its aging and growing population. [Source: WKMG]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› $1M to tackle health inequity in St. Petersburg. Can it make a difference?
Pinellas County residents were, on average, slightly healthier than most other counties in Florida and across the nation last year, a national study found. But the data hides a grimmer truth for areas of St. Petersburg. Black residents in neighborhoods south of downtown live 5 years fewer than the average Pinellas resident. They’re twice as likely to experience struggles with transportation and access to food, data compiled by the Foundation for a Healthy St. Pete shows.
› Tallahassee Memorial CEO speaks about swirl of uncertainty surrounding hospital's future
Uncertainty about the future of Tallahassee Memorial Hospital brought a large crowd to last week's meeting of the Network of Entrepreneurs and Business Advocates at the Capital City Country Club. They were there to hear from the hospital's CEO, Mark O'Bryant. The controversy started last month when it appeared when the city, which owns the hospital's land, building and other assets, discussed selling the facility after TMH requested a governance change as it expands its reach outside of Tallahassee.
› Why stand-alone emergency rooms are popping up everywhere in Central Florida
If you have recently driven through Central Florida, you may have noticed a growing trend: stand-alone emergency rooms popping up seemingly everywhere, sometimes less than a mile from existing hospitals. “When an emergency happens, time is muscle,” says Shawn Molsberger of Orlando Health. Molsberger is the senior vice president of Orlando Health’s North Florida Region and president of Orlando Health Lake Mary Hospital.
› Sarasota Memorial Health cuts the ribbon on $75 million research and education facility
The future is now for the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, which cut the ribbon Thursday on a long-awaited $75 million facility designed to merge its research and medical education programs under one roof. The Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute will expand training opportunities for health care providers while supporting clinical trials. That in turn will improve patient care and develop state-of-art treatments while attracting and retaining medical professionals.