AHA Stat Blog

Investing in our country’s health infrastructure is the right move to make.

A recent Health Affairs blog post (April 19) on hospital price transparency argues that chargemaster data can be confusing to consumers. We agree, and have encouraged the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to focus, instead, on the information that really matters to patients – expected out-of-pocket costs.

In part one of this two-part blog series, AHA Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Jay Bhatt, D.O., discusses how AHA’s 2019 Innovation Challenge directs bold new thinking to urgent problems. Applications for the challenge are open through May 24. Read more and watch for part two tomorrow.

In this AHA Stat Blog, Priya Bathija, vice president of AHA’s The Value Initiative, writes that, while high-tech innovations are significant, we must not forget about affordable alternatives that are within easy reach. She shares examples of these types of solutions developed by hospitals and health systems.

In my experience, health care is a team sport.  Patient outcomes and experiences improve when caregivers are expert communicators – trained on best practices for interaction not only with patients, but also with one another.  

With our Better Health for Mothers and Babies initiative, America’s hospitals and health systems are enhancing our commitment to improving maternal health.

There is no doubt that enhanced convenience and customer service is where health care is headed.

AONL is leading the nursing leadership field forward, and the AHA will keep working to support them so that, together, we can advance health in America.

We must address the racial, ethnic and socioeconomic disparities that increase the risk of negative perinatal outcomes for women of color.

AHA Executive Vice President Maryjane Wurth previews AHA’s Team Training Conference, where different interdisciplinary groups from diverse health care settings come together to fundamentally change the future of team-based health care.

During this National Minority Health Month, I encourage you all to learn more about the health status of racial and ethnic minority populations in the U.S. and focus on diversity, inclusion and health equity to advance health across the nation.

Regarding Modern Healthcare's "Health system consolidation may be holding down healthcare employee wages," we are concerned about the article presenting the findings of a study on consolidation as established fact given that it is identified as a working paper and has yet to go through a rigorous peer review process.

The AHA has always been for common-sense policies that make it easier for patients to access care and for hospitals and health systems to deliver that care – and this will never change.

The New York Times editorial on proposed Medicare cuts to off-campus hospital outpatient departments (March 26) fails to reflect the significant differences between hospitals, independent physician offices and other sites of care.

My four decades in health care have taught me there is no substitute for personal connections. Face-to-face conversations with colleagues, patients and caregivers keep us grounded and in touch with what is really going on.

The health field is undergoing unprecedented change driven by patients’ evolving needs, new technologies and new entrants.

The AHA Physician Alliance conducts regular Questions with Clinician Leaders podcast featuring physicians across the country sharing their views on key issues. This month’s focus is on addressing social determinants of health (SDoH), an effort fundamental to the Care Well value of the Alliance. Below are four keys to addressing SDoH using skills and resources your organization already has. 

In this AHA Stat Blog post, Priya Bathija, vice president of AHA’s The Value Initiative, shares how hospitals and health systems have made substantial efforts to improve quality outcomes, resulting in meaningful progress in providing high-value, affordable and person-centered care.

I have hope that the rapidly evolving health care landscape will empower us to deliver better care than ever before and to build a nation of healthier individuals and communities.

Hospitals and health systems are building the future patients want and need to lead their healthiest lives.