'I don't think the driver was necessarily just cost but appropriate care at the right place, at the right time, with the right kind of provider,' says South Country Health Alliance Chief Medical Officer Brad Johnson, MD.

Throughout 2019, HealthLeaders had its finger on the pulse of the healthcare industry. In this issue, our feature story shares five of this year's healthcare business stories that nurse leaders may want to check out. Topics include the "big three" diagnostic errors that lead to serious harm, the challenges of analytics, and innovative tech tools.

Also, in this issue:

New direct supervision requirements at hospitals
Quality campaign around the moral determinants of health
HealthLeaders' six 2019 cover stories

5 Healthcare Business Stories Nurse Leaders Should Read

To be effective in today's healthcare industry, nurse leaders' knowledge must extend beyond traditional nursing issues.

CMS Eliminates Direct Supervision Requirement for Hospitals

This rule places decisions about supervision in the control of hospitals and physicians involved in patient care and will make the delivery of hospital outpatient services more efficient.

Coping With Loss Of Hospital, Rural Town Realizes: We Don't Need A Hospital

It's been about a year since the hospital in Fort Scott, Kan., closed. The lessons for this community about meeting its residents' health needs could provide insights for the rest of the country.

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Berwick Outlines Sweeping 7-Step Campaign for the Quality Movement

The IHI president emeritus wants healthcare providers to reach beyond the hospital walls and embrace the 'moral determinants of health.'

Have You Read All 6 of Our 2019 Cover Stories?

We strive to push past the daily news bombardment and unpack the major trends and solutions that affect the business of healthcare.

Must Reads

50 cities where nurses earn the most money

Forbes

Nurses' lack of sleep could affect patient safety and care, study says

WBZ

Doctors and nurses clean their hands only half as much as they should. Here’s what some Chicago-area hospitals are doing about it.

The Chicago Tribune

Inside a 'private emergency room' where people pay $5,000 a year

Business Insider

Thanks for spending 2019 with us! I hope you have a Happy New Year and that you're looking forward to 2020. As always, send any tips, thoughts or advice my way at jthew@healthleadersmedia.com or Tweet @jen_NurseEditor.

Jennifer Thew, RN
Senior Editor, Nursing