Pandemic propels telemedicine’s growth into overdrive
Telemedicine is a $21 billion worldwide industry that has long promised to overhaul health care but struggled as recently as six months ago to get steady traction.
Hospitals
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Hospitals desperate to boost non-COVID patient counts
Much of routine health care came to a halt in March as hospitals cleared space for an expected wave of COVID-19 patients and authorities ordered a halt to surgeries and other procedures that could be postponed.
Safety-net health providers get $25B to help keep their doors open
The Department of Health and Human Services said safety-net hospitals in Indiana serving the most vulnerable citizens would receive more than $167 million.
Hospitals, health care sector reel from COVID-19 damage
Health care provided the biggest drag on the U.S. economy in the first quarter. Spending on care fell at an annual rate of 18%, the largest drop for that sector among records going back to 1959.
Community Health reports $13.7M operations loss during first quarter
The Indianapolis-based hospital system is feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also lost $201.2 million on investments during the quarter as the economy and financial markets tanked.
IU Health sees operating income plunge 49% due to COVID-19 outbreak
The number of surgeries and inpatient discharges fell by more than 7% as Gov. Eric Holcomb ordered all hospitals to delay non-essential and elective surgeries and procedures.
Indiana ban on elective medical procedures could be lifted next week
Gov. Eric Holcomb said Monday the state would re-evaluate whether to allow hospitals and surgery centers to resume services at 11:59 p.m. Sunday if they have sufficient protective equipment for treating COVID-19 patients.
Most Hoosiers with COVID-19 never go to the hospital
Health officials examined about 8,000 coronavirus cases in Indiana and found about one-third visited an emergency room and about a quarter were hospitalized.
State working with 15 companies to acquire more personal protective equipment
Luke Bosso, chief of staff for the Indiana Economic Development Corp., said during Monday’s media briefing that the state has purchased 1.9 million pieces of PPE so far.
Some doctors moving away from ventilators for virus patients
Some hospitals have reported unusually high death rates for coronavirus patients on ventilators, and some doctors worry that the machines could be harming certain patients.
IU Health seeks plasma donations from those who’ve recovered from COVID-19
That plasma can be transfused to critically ill patients who are struggling with the disease.
Witham Health Services sued over pediatrician convicted of child molestation
The lawsuit, brought on behalf of one of the victims of Dr. Jonathon Cavins, says a 2004 sexual battery case against him should have been a red flag.
Indiana still weeks away from COVID-19 peak, officials say; hospitals scramble to get ready
State officials again refused to say how many ventilators or intensive-care unit beds hospitals have, citing confidentiality agreements with hospitals and vendors. Some hospitals expect their supplies to run short in coming weeks.
Indianapolis hospitals could be overwhelmed within weeks, new study says
This area has 1,081 intensive care unit beds, but they could be filled by coronavirus patients within weeks under numerous scenarios mapped out by the Harvard Global Health Institute.
Area hospitals restrict elective surgeries to prep for possible influx of virus patients
Ascension St. Vincent, Community Health and Franciscan Health have confirmed plans to restrict elective procedures to shore up critical supplies and keep the virus from spreading.
Thousands of Hoosiers ask about COVID-19 testing, but most get turned away
Thousands of people are calling hospitals and state health offices with concerns, but as of Thursday evening, only 64 Hoosiers had been tested—or about 0.00009% of the Indiana population. The tests have resulted in 12 positive cases.
Indiana hospitals use drills, telehealth to get ready for possible large COVID-19 outbreak
Around Indiana, hospital officials say they have stepped up safety precautions in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. But even amid extensive preparation, some acknowledge that if the disease spreads quickly, it could test their facilities.
IU School of Medicine gearing up for move to new campus near Methodist Hospital
The Indiana University School of Medicine plans to leave its longtime home on the IUPUI campus and move about two miles north as part of a new “academic health campus” near Methodist Hospital.
All-payer claims database legislation receives final passage in Legislature
The database is expected to provide cost information for specific health care procedures by facility name and allow individuals to shop around for the best price.
Lawmakers remove site-of-service billing requirement from health legislation
Hospital executives said the initial site-of-service regulation would have resulted in significant cuts in staff and services because revenue would drop by millions of dollars.