Number of employed physicians outnumber self-employed in US for first time, new AMA study shows
The number of employed physicians exceeds self-employed physicians for the first time in the U.S., according to an American Medical Association (AMA) study. The study found that 47.4% of all patient care physicians in 2018 were employed physicians. That’s a 6 percentage point increase compared to 2012. It also found that 45.9% of all patient care physicians in 2018 were self-employed physicians, down 7 percentage points compared to 53.2% in 2012. The AMA noted that the number of self-employed physicians also declined nearly continuously between the early 1980s and the mid-1990s. Therefore, the findings represent the continuation of a longer-term trend, and “caution should be taken in assuming current trends will continue indefinitely,” the AMA said.
Additionally, the survey showed:
- 54% of patient care physicians worked in physician-owned practices in 2018 as an owner, employee or contractor, down from 60.1% in 2012
- 8% of all patient care physicians worked directly for a hospital in 2018, up from 5.6% in 2012
- 7% of patient care physicians worked in hospital-owned practices in 2018, up from 23.4% in 2012
- Younger physicians and female physicians were more likely to be employed physicians in 2018 compared to 2012
Cardinal Health survey finds supply chain tasks causing stress for clinicians, impacting patient care
Clinicians report spending more than twice the amount of time they would like to on supply chain-related tasks, and as a result have less time with patients and increased stress levels, according to the fourth annual Cardinal Health Hospital Supply Chain Survey. Additionally, 25% of those managing supply chains – along with 20% of clinicians – say that supply chain tasks “stress them out.” The survey, which included hospital supply chain decision makers as well as clinicians, showed two out of three (67%) respondents have observed clinical staff frustration caused by supply-related issues, including:
- Missing supplies: 74% of frontline providers say looking for supplies that should be at hand (but aren’t) has the most negative impact on their workplace productivity, and 84% of department managers say the same
- Manual tasks: 49% of frontline providers report manually counting and tracking supplies with 46% of frontline providers saying this has a “very” or “somewhat” negative impact on their workplace productivity
- Utilization: 70% of respondents noted wasting and overutilization of supplies as a significant or somewhat significant problem within the organization, with a higher percentage among department managers (81%)
Premier Inc promotes Michael J. Alkire, Craig S. McKasson to new leadership roles
Premier Inc (Charlotte, NC) named Michael J. Alkire its new president and Craig S. McKasson its new chief administrative officer, effective immediately. Alkire has been COO of Premier since 2013. His promotion is in recognition of the expansion of his role to include oversight of Premier’s two evolving segment strategies in Performance Services and Supply Chain Services, as well as his existing oversight of overall business operations. In addition to serving as chief administrative officer, McKasson will retain his role as SVP, CFO, and treasurer of Premier, as he has since 2013. McKasson’s promotion is in recognition of the expansion of his role to include oversight of corporate development, enterprise project management and corporate technology.
Alkire and McKasson will each report directly to Susan DeVore, who will continue serving as Premier’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and director of the company.
“Michael Alkire and Craig McKasson are proven, effective stewards of Premier’s business operations, and are integral to the company and our evolving strategies,” said DeVore, Premier CEO. “Expanding their roles will enable them to oversee day-to-day strategic operations, while I focus on the long-term growth vision of the company together with our Board of Directors.”
Three Michigan health systems to build shared laundry facility
Henry Ford Health System (Detroit, MI), Michigan Medicine (Ann Arbor), and St. Joseph Mercy Health System (Livonia, MI) formed a joint venture to establish a $48 million medical laundry service facility in Detroit. The 105,000-square-foot facility, to be completed by spring 2020, will be designed to accommodate 78 million pounds of healthcare linens every year for all three health systems. It will include automated technology, use environmentally-friendly products, and have about 180 employees, most of whom will be new hires. The laundry facility will be owned and operated by the Metropolitan Detroit Area Hospital Service, a nonprofit of which all three health systems are a part.
“This is a win-win for Henry Ford, Michigan Medicine and St. Joe’s, the city of Detroit and state of Michigan,” says Bob Riney, Henry Ford’s president of Healthcare Operations and chief operating officer. “By sharing a centralized laundry service, our partnership demonstrates how health care institutions can work together to achieve efficiencies and spur economic renewal. We’re committed to doing our part to continue to reinvest in Detroit and the communities we serve throughout southeast Michigan.”
Yale New Haven Hospital announces $838M project
Yale New Haven Hospital (New Haven, CT) announced a $838 million project that will include two new patient facilities on its Saint Raphael campus (New Haven) and “focus on innovation in the neurosciences.” The new 505,000 square-foot project will feature 204 inpatient beds for patients seeking care for a host of issues, from movement disorders to neuro-regeneration. The project will also allow Yale New Haven to decant portions of the existing East Pavilion, which was built in 1953 and includes more than 300 patient beds. An existing parking garage on Orchard Street will be extended to George Street to accommodate patients and a new 200-space underground garage will support the facility. The hospital has pledged its ongoing support to City of New Haven in conjunction with the project. Yale New Haven has agreed to work with the City “to drive better quality health outcomes for City employees at lower costs.” The hospital has agreed to a one-time voluntary bridge payment of $3 million in addition to its ongoing support. Yale New Haven has also agreed to pre-pay $8.9 million in building fees associated with the project.