Weekly Roundup: Health care news and notes

February 6, 2015 · NCQA

Every Friday NCQA gives a rundown of some of the health care news stories from the past week. Here are some of our picks for this week:

• Measles cases rise as the debate over vaccinations [New York Times]
• Telepsychiatry: technology is helping ‘bring’ psychiatrists to people in underserved areas. [US News & World Report]
• Teamwork may be one way to help reduce the incidence of diagnostic mistakes. [Modern Healthcare]
• Parents who oppose measles vaccine hold firm to their beliefs. [LA Times]
• A book review of Eric Topol’s ‘The Patient Will See You Now,’ which discusses the future of medicine. [The Washington Post]
• More than 90 percent of Covered California enrollees renewed their policy for 2015. [LA Times]
• The number of people who said they had trouble paying medical bills fell from 75 million in 2012 to 64 million in 2014. [The Commonwealth Fund]
• Accountable care organizations are making progress in using big data to improve quality of care. [Modern Healthcare]
• A new report shows evidence that the patient-centered medical home (PCMH) improves care and reduces cost. [Milbank Memorial Fund]
• The rate of hospital-acquired infections dropped significantly but did not reach the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s targets. [CDC]
• CMS is considering proposals to shorten meaningful-use reporting periods to 90 days in 2015. [Modern Healthcare]
• Why would doctor weigh you for sore throat? Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is extending their patient-centered programs in hopes of cutting down on more expensive care in the long run. [Asbury Park Press]
• Amid measles outbreak, anti-vaccine doctor revels in his notoriety. [Washington Post]
• Ninety-two percent of doctors blame measles outbreak on parents who do not vaccinate their kids. [Time]
• The “dochitect” is in: health care facilities are being made safer and more comforting for senior patients. [Modern Healthcare]
• Research shows mindfulness could cut down on the spread of hospital-acquired infections. [Washington Post]