Swisslog asked more than 500 hospital managers throughout North America to list the most important vendor attributes they consider before purchasing a materials transport system for their facility. Swisslog, a leading provider of automated materials transport and pharmacy automation solutions for hospitals, today announced that “vendor reputation” was the most important purchasing consideration for hospital decision-makers and influencers.

A new Jackson Healthcare survey of hospital nurses found that nurses estimate spending one quarter of their twelve-hour shift on indirect patient care. Respondents cited regulatory requirements, redundant paperwork and logistical challenges as the primary contributors of time spent away from the patient’s bedside. The study, which targeted nurses, nursing managers and chief nursing officers (CNO) across the U.S., was conducted in partnership with StatCom and Travel Nurse Solutions. It was based upon an online survey of 2,439 nurses, and focuses on the 1,663 who work in hospital settings.

Some people may be discouraged by the prospect of spending lots of time and money to become a physician or surgeon, but what many people may not realize is that there are scores of healthcare professions in various fields that can be just as rewarding. Anyone aspiring for a career in the medical field should not be dismayed by the current economic environment - given the growing aging population, there are more and more people who need health care and jobs are always opening up for those with a passion for helping others.

CNA Arizona cites recent statistics released by the Bureau of Labor indicating job growth in the healthcare industry. The 2008 to 2018 projections included information on population, labor force, employment, employment change by industry, employment change by occupation, employment change by detailed occupation, employment change by education and training category, etc. Most notable for those choosing to pursue a career in the healthcare industry were the job growth projections.

SDI’s Mobile & Social Media Study surveyed nearly 1,200 physicians regarding their use of mobile technology and their participation in online physician networking. Approximately 30% of physicians access medical information using a handheld device or smartphone. The most popular handheld device or smartphone is the Apple iPhone, with 31% of respondents owning one.

Employers Forecast Impact of Health Care Reform, Retirement Programs and Physician, Hospital and Prescription Costs. United Benefit Advisors, LLC (UBA), one of the nation’s leading employee benefits advisory organizations, is notifying all employers of the final opportunity to participate in the 2010 UBA Employer Opinion Survey, which will include a special supplement on Health Care Reform. The survey will close at the end of the business day (PST) on March 5, 2010.

Free white paper shows HR leaders how to drive post-recession growth through their talent management. HealthcareSource®, the leading provider of talent management solutions for the healthcare industry, today announced the availability of a new white paper. The white paper,"5 Talent Management Best Practices Every Healthcare Organization Should Consider Now," provides healthcare HR leaders and practitioners with proven strategies, tips, and best practices on how to maximize their economic recovery by focusing on their hospital's talent management strategy.

The Indiana Rural Health Association is the largest state rural health organization in the country based on a current membership of 1,500 health services providers. They have a paid staff of 10 full time professionals, and are primarily grant funded from federal, state and private sources. In June, they will be hosting their 13th annual Rural Health Annual Conference which typically attracts over 400 participants with an additional 100 exhibitors.     
                       
The Indiana Statewide Rural Health Network (InSRHN) has come a long way over the past 3 ½ years. In the past year alone they have initiated a membership dues structure, round table peer discussion groups, and negotiated many successful group purchasing opportunities for members. They have forged new partnerships with peer organizations, vendors and sponsors, creating synergies and collaborations that deliver even more value and benefits to members.

They have much to be proud of, but there is much still to do and more changes to come. This year the network created an advisory committee of key principal members to promote network development and provide vision for InSRHN continued success.

Are you in the health care field? If you are, and have been for at least a year, I bet you already have stories about workplace violence happening where you work. My focus in this article is on a strange phenomenon which has existed in the health care field for a long time, but nowhere else where workplace violence is a "given." There is the common belief in the health care industry, that violence in the workplace is "just a part of the job." This belief is held almost universally, from the floor nurse and nursing assistant, right up through management to the highest level of administration.

The practice of defensive medicine adds considerable costs to the already-strained U.S. health care system. Within the ongoing debate on health care reform, one item of discussion is usually overlooked: the cost of defensive medicine. As more patients sue for medical malpractice and receive larger settlements, many practicing physicians are forced out of necessity to spend more time performing procedures and ordering tests to defend themselves from possible future litigation. This defensive measure adds considerable costs to the already-strained U.S. health care system.