Florida Trend Exclusive
Nurses in Florida: The next generation
A widely cited 2021 Florida Hospital Association analysis shows the state faces a shortfall of 59,000 nurses by 2035. But an increase in training and recruitment strategies are helping, even if the long-term shortage remains daunting. AdventHealth University is opening a new campus in Tampa to train aspiring nurses who will provide a pipeline to staff the school’s affiliated hospitals or find work at other facilities in Florida. [Source: Florida Trend]
Is your local hospital keeping patients safe? Every Florida hospital rated.
Leapfrog has been rating and assessing hospitals for more than a decade in an effort to reduce deaths and injuries from hospital errors by publicly recognizing safety and exposing harm. It ranks more than 3,000 acute-care hospitals across the U.S. twice a year on how well they keep patients safe from preventable harm and medical errors, using more than 30 performance measures that hospitals report to the the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Overall, Florida hospitals ranked 13th in the nation for safety with 71 of 193 assessed hospitals earning an A. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Women in leadership: Full recovery
A health crisis inspired Jacksonville entrepreneur Charu Raheja to create an AI-based software tool to ensure medical messages are relayed properly and vital information isn't overlooked. Raheja considers MedMessage Assist her signature achievement as CEO and co-founder of TriageLogic, which develops advanced telehealth technology and services for the health care industry, including remote patient monitoring, triage software and on-call nurses. [Source: Florida Trend]
Florida Medicaid managed care plans score middle of the road on new report cards
Florida Medicaid managed care plans — the coverage offered to millions of the state’s low-income residents — scored in the middle on industry report cards assessing the quality of care people receive. The National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA) released in September its 2024 report cards that rank commercial, Medicare, Medicaid, and plans offered on the federal health insurance exchange. [Source: Florida Phoenix]
Floridians sign up for Obamacare unsure if program will survive
Significant changes to the program would have a big impact in Florida, where 4.2 million residents are enrolled this year — the most in the nation. With the 2025 enrollment period already underway, program administrators are fielding questions from Floridians fearful that their insurance will be canceled. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› A medical provider for inmates at some Florida facilities files for bankruptcy
Wellpath, a national medical provider to inmates in jails and prisons, has filed for bankruptcy, prompting concerns about continuity of care at facilities it serves. Wellpath filed for Chapter 11 in the Southern District of Texas, claiming more than $644 million in debt. That move allows for the company to be reorganized. Nashville-based Wellpath is one of the largest prison health providers in the country.
› Health department in Key West moves temporarily after discovery of lead in building
The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County is among several agencies relocating after trace amounts of lead were found in the historic building where they’re housed in Key West. Lead was discovered this past week among construction material used for repairs at the historic Gato Cigar Factory Building.
› Robots are helping doctors operate on your brain and spine in Collier County
A new robotic system is helping doctors in Collier County perform complex brain and spinal surgeries. Physician's Regional Hospital recently unveiled the ExcelsiusGPS robot, a groundbreaking technology that is among the first of its kind in the area. The innovative robot, produced by Globus Medical, uses a combination of GPS and advanced imaging to guide surgeons during procedures that require precision.
› Doctors see increase in vibrio cases in Tampa Bay because of recent hurricanes
There’s an increase in vibrio cases in Florida. “Vibrio is a bacteria that lives in brackish water, salt water, warm water,” said Dr. Robert Rosequist, Chief Medical Officer for AdventHealth Wesley Chapel. The recent hurricanes have made vibrio cases more prevalent, with floodwaters and runoff.