HAP Blog

Even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Pennsylvania’s hospitals continue to deliver extraordinary care.

Part one of three: through a three-part blog series, we explore the importance of considering the impact of and strategies to engage patient and family engagement through: visitation policies during and after COVID-19, diversity and health equity, patient and family advisory councils, and the health of our health care heroes.

We all know health care is changing, with even bigger changes ahead. I described the four most likely “alternate realities” for the future of hospitals and health care. In many ways, hospitals and health systems are feeling the brunt of these changes.

Rural hospital leaders from western Pennsylvania recently shared their insights and best practices for transformation and care coordination with several hundred colleagues from across the nation at the American Hospital Association’s 31^st Annual Rural Healthcare Leadership Conference in Phoenix.

For some time now, Medicare has been financially rewarding hospitals for good patient experiences as measured by the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS).

Older adults are among the fastest growing age groups, and they are at high risk for developing chronic illnesses and related disabilities. Population health is a strategy that can improve their health and health outcomes.