Listen to the podcast featuring Gerry Blass, President & CEO of ComplyAssistant, (DCHA Associate Member) discuss the current cybersecurity landscape and how hospitals can safeguard themselves from risk.
Highlights: Looking at utilization metrics this month, three out the five metrics show an increase in volumes. Acute care admissions went from -13% below pre-COVID baselines in December to -11% in January, with all but one hospital presenting increase in volumes as depicted in Table 2 of the report. Psychiatric admissions also present a slight uptick in volumes going from -27% below baseline in December to -25% in January. Although ambulatory surgeries percent change remains steady in Fig. 1 below, a slight increase in volumes can be noted as presented in Table 17 of the report. Emergency department visits show a slim decline in volumes going from -20% below baselines in December to -22% in January, and observation admissions mirror the same pattern going from -1% to -4% below baselines as pictured in Fig. 1 below.
On April 4, 2025, the DC Hospital Association proudly joined members of the DC health care community in the 2025 Annual Medical Response and Surge Exercise (MRSE). Hosted by the DC Health and Medical Coalition under the Hospital Preparedness Program Grant, the MRSE serves as a vital, annual opportunity to evaluate and strengthen our collective emergency response capabilities.
This year’s exercise simulated a mass casualty event stemming from a coordinated attack during World Pride, scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C. this June. The realistic scenario tested the region’s ability to manage a sudden influx of patients, coordinate communications, and provide critical care under pressure.
Participants included a broad spectrum of health care stakeholders— DC Health, hospitals, long-term care and ambulatory providers, DC Fire and EMS, the DC Primary Care Association, and others. Their joint involvement demonstrated the power of collaboration and coordination across the District’s health care infrastructure during high-stress emergency situations.
Key information systems were tested during the MRSE:
The MRSE highlighted not only the technological readiness of DC’s health care system, but also the preparedness of its people. Exercises like these are critical in ensuring that staff and leadership at every level of the health care continuum are trained and ready to respond when it matters most.
As DC prepares to welcome global visitors for World Pride this summer, the lessons learned and strengths demonstrated during the MRSE affirm our shared commitment to the health and safety of all who live, work, and celebrate in the nation’s capital.
DCHA has arranged a special event to celebrate our incredible health care professionals and health heroes in our community. Please join us in celebrating the Washington Wizards Health Care Appreciation Night! Tickets include access to the Early Entry experience where fans can watch warm-ups from 100-level seating before gates open for the night, as well as a chance to join the post-game picture experience. Use the link below to get the lowest price tickets available. Please share with your teams and networks as we all deserve a night to celebrate.
Wizards vs. Magic, April 3, 2025 @ 7 pm, Capital One Arena
Höhepunkte
Three out of five of the focus utilization metrics saw a decrease in volume from November to December 2024. Observation admissions showed only a small decline compared to January 2020 baseline going from 0% in November to -1% below baseline in December. Ambulatory surgeries and psychiatric admissions also showed a relatively small decline compared to baseline going from -2% to -5% and -24% to -27% respectively. Emergency department visits and acute care admissions present a slight uptick in volumes respectively going from -26% to -20%, and -16% to -13% below baseline as shown in Fig. 1 below.
The shift in psychiatric admissions remains this month as volume continue to remain below the median for the reported period as shown in Fig. 2 below. Although not a statistical shift, specialty admissions show a similar pattern in recent months as shown in Fig. 3 below.
Starting this summer, Capital Caring Health will provide reliable, non-emergency transportation services. Each van will be operating eight-hour shifts every day and each driver goes through an extensive training program to understand the unique needs of patients and families. Along with the driver, there will also be a nurse present. The vans have raised roofs, a powered gurney loading system, an ambulance-quality gurney, storage bracket for wheelchair, two O2 oxygen cylinders that provide five hours of oxygen and ambulance-quality first aid items. This service will be at NO EXPENSE to the hospital. Please share this information with your care coordinators and discharge planners.
Patient safety is a top priority for health care organizations. A better patient safety environment is associated with a lower probability of significant complications and dramatically reduces medical errors and adverse events, improves patient outcomes and increases efficiency and effectiveness. A patient safety culture within hospitals contribute to a higher standard of care, encourages collaboration and open communications, more coordinated care and improved overall performance.
The economic impact findings, which tell the story of Howard’s 157-year commitment to strategic investment and service to its community, show that Howard’s economic impact in the District alone totaled $1.154 billion in 2019. That year, the University’s student body population, comprised of nearly 13,500 students, spent over $25 million on retail consumer services, entertainment, dining, and other convenience goods. The University made payments totaling more than $500 million to more than 2,300 vendors in fiscal year 2024, including more than $235 million paid to local vendors. In addition, the University and Howard-Universitätskrankenhaus current workforce was comprised of nearly 5,000 employees, with a payroll of $395 million.
To pay back our incredible health care professionals and heroes in our community, please join us in celebrating the return of the Wizards Health Care Appreciation Night! Tickets include access to the early entry experience where fans can watch warm-ups from 100-level seating before gates open for the night, as well as a chance to join the post-game picture experience.
There are more than 5,000 community hospitals in the United States. The care they provide for patients is critical and often extends beyond the four walls of the hospital and into the community. As a result, community hospitals provide 24/7 access to needed medical care, support unmet community health needs and serve as economic pillars in their community.
