providers
Courant editorial critical of CT physician oversight
Authorities in CT are too lax in approving physicians to practice here, according to the Hartford Courant’s editorial page. The editorial was based on an article by the CT Health I-Team. The authors highlight numerous cases of disciplined doctors who’ve lost their license in neighboring states who are later approved to practice in CT. Hospital…
Read MoreAlmost half of CT physicians are using electronic medical records
A new survey from the CDC finds that 48% of office-based physicians in CT are using some form of an electronic medical record/health record (EMR, EHR) this year, just under the national average (50.7%). State rates varied from 38% (KY) to 80% (MN). But only 10% of US physicians have fully functional EMRs; most are…
Read MoreMost CT doctors will reduce Medicare participation if rates are cuts
An online survey by the CT State Medical Society found that 78% of the 360 state physicians who responded would restrict access to care for Medicare and TRICARE patients if rates are cut. Nineteen percent of respondents would stop taking any Medicare or TRICARE patients at all, 31% would limit the number of new patients…
Read MoreYNHH surgeries under scrutiny after wrong site operation
The New Haven Independent is reporting that on June 9th a car crash victim had a skeletal traction pin surgically inserted into the wrong leg at Yale-New Haven Hospital. The error was the result of poor communication between surgeons during a “handoff” of the patient and had to be corrected in another surgery. The mistake…
Read MoreAdmitting mistakes and making an offer reduces malpractice suits
A new study has found that responding to medical errors with full disclosure, an apology and an offer of compensation significantly reduces lawsuits, costs and the time it takes to resolve claims. Since the policy was instituted in 2001, malpractice lawsuits filed against the University of Michigan Health System monthly dropped from 2.13 to 0.75…
Read MoreMore evidence that doctors and patients are not communicating
A new study by Yale and Waterbury Hospital researchers finds that despite the fact that physicians believe that they are completely explaining hospital discharge plans, many patients do not understand very basic information. 90% of patients report that they were never advised about side effects when prescribed new medications; in fact, only 25% report being…
Read MoreCT hospitals cutting costs and jobs
St. Francis hospital will be laying off 200 workers and other CT hospitals are also cutting payroll, according to the Hartford Courant. Like other CT businesses, the cuts are due to the recession, in part, increasing the number of patients who can’t pay their bills, the number on public coverage such as HUSKY which pays…
Read MoreA place with too many primary care doctors
One of the many advantages of working with the Council of State Governments/Eastern Region is the opportunity to learn from our neighbors, especially north of the border. At times it seems that they have everything figured out, but not always. Prince Edward Island, like most Canadian provinces and the rest of the world, is facing…
Read MoreCT hospitals score well in quality
The Hartford Courant is reporting that new data from Medicare’s Hospital Compare site rate CT hospitals highly in quality. For example, the national average time for patients with chest pain to get an electrocardiogram is 43 minutes; in CT patients wait only 19 minutes. However, we pay more than 38 other states; hospital expenses per…
Read MorePatients asked to leave medical practice after filing complaints for excessive billing
Two Hartford Medical Group patients have been told they are no longer welcome at the practice for complaining about fees charged to them above the payments by their insurers for routine physicals, which are 100% covered. Three complaints have been filed with the Attorney General’s office for excessive and unjustified billing; one patient was told…
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