Hospital Access Management 1999 Index
December 1, 1999
Hospital Access Management 1999 Index
Admissions/registration
Registrars no longer at bottom of pay scale barrel, MAY:55
EMPI called solution to repeat registrations, JUL:77
Easy-chair entry: Is the patient's living room the access center of the future? OCT:109
Advance directives
Who should call for patient records? JUL:81
Automated dialers
Have reservations when seeking perfect appointment reminder system, AUG:85
Measure first, then pilot automated reminders, AUG:87
Automated dialing speeds preadmissions, NOV:129
Balanced Budget Act
Consultant's report predicts BBA fallout, JUL:84
SNF reimbursement affecting access, SEP:101
Take creative approach in dealings with SNFs, OCT:118
Billing/reimbursement
The care's been provided, now comes the tough part: Who gets the bill? JUN:61
Changes could put EDs out in the cold, OCT:113
Think beyond the '9 to 5' cycle, DEC:138
Career enhancement
Advance your career by watching TV, JAN:8
Will AMs rule when departments combine? FEB:15
Hospital's new venture is step up career ladder, FEB:18
Different focus creates new access paradigm, JUN:63
Central business office
Consolidation is the way, says health system VP, OCT:111
COBRA/EMTALA issues
'Anti-dumping' murkier after high court ruling, MAY:54
Collections
Upfront cash collection has become a necessity, JUL:79
Compliance issues
Model plan shows how to comply with payment regs, FEB:23
If the OIG makes a visit, don't be caught off-guard, APR:41
HHS training seniors to spot fraud, abuse, AUG:96
Who's minding the compliance store? SEP:102
It's quantity and quality for best documentation, NOV:126
Inflating length of stay may be risky business, NOV:127
Is anyone saying no to uncooperative physicians? DEC:144
Computerization
MSDS software makes data accurate, accessible, APR:46
Teaching takes place anytime, anywhere, JUN:64
'Scripting' software saves system big bucks, NOV:130
Confidentiality issues
Serious differences stall movement on privacy bill, SEP:106
AHIMA blasts Congress' failure to pass privacy bill, OCT:118
Teen program puts focus on confidentiality, DEC:143
Customer service
Protocols improve patient satisfaction scores, JUN:67
Happy employees = happy patients, study says, JUN:71
Are your volunteers up to snuff? JUL:82
Focus gives newfound respect to access role, AUG:89
Patients, families register in innovative program, SEP:104
Electronic data interchange
Laying groundwork crucial to electronic verification, APR:45
The care's been provided, now comes the tough part: Who gets the bill? JUN:61
'If you can't find it, make it,' says California health system, JUL:73
'Smart card' streamlines care of pregnant women, JUL:75
EMPI called solution to repeat registrations, JUL:77
Emergency department admissions
Tracking data is key to better ED outcomes, JAN:10
Shooting turns fear into reality for UCSF Stanford health system, MAY:49
ED keeps everyone happy with innovative space use, MAY:51
Want to cut costs? Give the ED carte blanche, MAY:52
ED puts registration to bed with laptops, JUN:65
Changes could put EDs out in the cold, OCT:113
Employee empowerment
Access employees bloom thanks to system's ROSA, DEC:136
Ergonomics
Is your ergonomics policy working as it should? OCT:115
Homeless patients
Hospitals seek balance in care of homeless patients, FEB:21
Internet
Easy-chair entry: Is the patient's living room the access center of the future? OCT:109
Joint Commission
Here's what JCAHO asked on ethics, care continuum, JUL:78
Managed care
Managers seek relief from new HMO headaches, APR:44
Providers lack knowledge about risk, study reveals, JUN:62
Take leading role in contract process, DEC:142
Medical necessity
Nurse screens orders before admission occurs, JAN:3
Screening can ease medical necessity burden, JAN:7
Precert staff don't take no for an answer, MAR:28
Health system tackles medical necessity ogre, brings 10 hospitals into the fold, NOV:121
Health system gives physicians coding 'bible,' NOV:123
Medicare/Medicaid
Like providers it oversees, HHS prepares for 2000, JAN:9
Will HCFA checks be in mail when year 2000 hits? APR:40
HCFA regs require notice at admission, AUG:95
Changes could put EDs out in the cold, OCT:113
Medicaid scams said to cost billions, OCT:119
Medicare secondary payer issues
Challenge of getting MSP answers sparks computer, training solutions, DEC:133
One-on-one MSP training gets staff in shape for audit, DEC:135
Mergers
Should the standardization engine be slowed when hospitals merge? JAN:1
Consolidation is the way, says health system VP, OCT:111
Precertification
Precert staff don't take no for an answer, MAR:28
Want to cut costs? Give the ED carte blanche, MAY:52
Denial rate targeted by examining causes, SEP:100
Quality assurance
New department, manager push quality at St. Vincent, JAN:5
CQI push boosts accuracy, preregistration rate, MAY:57
'Fact-based management' trusts data, not anecdotes, AUG:93
With hospital score card, there are 'no rumor mills,' AUG:94
Re-engineering
Three traditional units combined to create more efficient patient care, FEB:13
Realignment shifts from hospital to corporation, FEB:14
Will AMs rule when departments combine? FEB:15
Upending revenue cycle first step toward success, FEB:16
New reporting structure 'warmer, friendlier,' MAR:27
Salaries
Registrars no longer at bottom of pay scale barrel, MAY:55
Access managers revitalized in dramatic turnaround, NOV:Sup
Security issues
Shooting turns fear into reality for UCSF Stanford health system, MAY:49
Staffing issues
Staff are in sweats, jeans, but the work gets done, MAR:29
'What to wear?' debate continues, JUN:70
Happy employees = happy patients, study says, JUN:71
What's best way to deal with FMLA? JUL:82
How to use a 'flexi-pool' for FMLA shortages, SEP:102
Is your ergonomics policy working as it should? OCT:115
Try dress code survey, consultant suggests, NOV:131
Technology
Wireless technologies offer new care options, FEB:16
Will 'wireless' work in a real-life setting? MAR:32
Training and education
New department, manager push quality at St. Vincent, JAN:5
Solve 'people puzzle' to cope with change, FEB:19
'Disjointed' training, authorization errors targeted in new education push, MAR:25
Enhance success with five steps to better training, MAR:35
AM wants more than orientation 'checklist,' APR:48
Teaching takes place anytime, anywhere, JUN:64
Take time to consider the other hospital crisis, SEP:105
Should access reps meet a higher standard? NOV:130
NAHAM announces new access credential, NOV:131
Year 2000
Like providers it oversees, HHS prepares for 2000, JAN:9
Establish 'critical hierarchy' before 2000 to avoid Y2K bug's bite, APR:37
Will HCFA checks be in mail when year 2000 hits? APR:40
Here's why your Y2K plan probably won't work, JUN:69
Most hospitals are Y2K compliant, AHA reports, JUN:72
Unexpected three weeks of downtime prepares hospital for Y2K problems, SEP:97