Josh Heuchan

How do healthcare leaders keep up with it all? Balancing rising patient volumes and complex care needs isn’t just about headcount—it’s about aligning care with patient needs. One solution? Leveraging patient data and care metrics for proactive staffing. Execution requires investment in systems, real-time monitoring, and teamwork. Success happens when clinical and operational teams join forces to build smarter, more efficient strategies. #HealthcareLeadership #StaffingStrategy

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When we talk with healthcare leaders, one thing is clear: technology alone isn’t solving today’s workforce challenges. Most organizations already have tools and platforms in place, but what they really need is a partner who can help make sense of it all and move their strategy forward. They need a team who understands the complexity of healthcare staffing and doesn’t just hand off a solution but sticks around to help it succeed. That’s why I believe the real future of healthcare staffing lies in partnerships - not just products. It’s the combination of modern tech with human support that actually makes the difference. People who listen. People who adjust. People who understand the stakes behind every open role. Because at the end of the day, healthcare is still about people caring for people, and our workforce strategies should reflect that. https://bit.ly/40hiv7W #WorkforcePartnership #WorkforceStrategy #MedicalSolutions

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On behalf of Clearsense, Inc, we are excited to have Summa Health join our expanding client portfolio! With the growing trend of PE-backed acquisitions (such as Summa's impending General Catalyst deal) and all other M&A ramping up across the provider sector, we are pleased to be a material part of accelerating the value of cost reduction, cyber risk mitigation and revitalizing data for driving healthcare outcomes. Thank you Elbridge Locklear, MBA, CHCIO, CDH-E for our new partnership! "By leveraging Clearsense's technology expertise and innovative solutions, we can rapidly provide access to complete patient data, supporting better care coordination and advancing population health management. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in optimizing data enablement and is key to achieving our goals of enhanced clinical outcomes and greater operational efficiency," said Elbridge Locklear, Chief Information Officer at Summa Health.

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The healthcare staffing industry is at a critical juncture as 40% of RNs plan to leave the field within the next 5 years. New data from Becker’s and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing reveals a critical crossroads for the U.S. nursing workforce. While signs of stabilization are emerging post-pandemic, long-standing challenges remain. Employment is rebounding, and nurse education and diversity are at all-time highs. However, burnout, stress, staffing shortages, and workplace safety continue to drive exits. Over 138K nurses have left since 2022, and nearly 40% of RNs plan to leave within 5 years. Many retired nurses returned post-COVID, but this may be short-lived. “We can no longer use COVID-19 as the excuse,” says NCSBN CEO Phil Dickison. The message is clear. To build a resilient nursing workforce, systemic changes, not just support programs, are urgently needed. Being a good staffing vendor will not be enough. The winners in this market will establish strong partnerships with health systems across all categories of labor and bring innovation, technology and a talent-first mindset. #Nursing #HealthcareStaffing #Burnout #NurseRetention #HealthcareLeadership #WorkforceSolutions

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A reminder that we now have access to a new ICD-10-CM code for sepsis aftercare. Effective October 1, 2024, coders can report Z51.A: Encounter for Sepsis Aftercare. Z51.A was long in the making, needed to fill a gap in post-sepsis care. Sepsis is nasty and can result in long-term health complications. Something was needed to capture the unique needs of sepsis survivors, helping to ensure they receive the necessary support and interventions, and support quality metrics associated with long-term outcomes for survivors. UCHealth submitted a request to the CDC for a new code and it made the ICD-10-CM Coordination and Maintenance Committee meeting back in March 2023. And now here we are, with the new code. Proper coding of Z51.A is therefore a must. Here are some tips for compliant use: When to use Z51.A ·      Assign as the principal diagnosis when the primary reason for the encounter is aftercare related to sepsis recovery. ·      Include codes for any residual conditions or complications from sepsis as secondary diagnoses (e.g., organ dysfunction, mobility issues, or cognitive impairments). When Not to Use Z51.A ·      Do not use during active treatment of sepsis or its acute complications. Instead, code the active condition (e.g., A41.x for sepsis or R65.2 for severe sepsis). ·      Avoid using Z51.A for routine follow-up visits unrelated to sepsis recovery ·      Z51.A has an excludes1 note, indicating it should not be used with follow-up examination after treatment (Z08-Z09) Related codes ·      The Z51 series is Encounters for other aftercare and medical care, so coders are instructed to also code the condition requiring care. Pair Z51.A with other relevant codes, such as those for chronic conditions exacerbated by sepsis or post-sepsis syndrome symptoms, to provide a complete clinical picture. Providers should ensure that documentation reflects the aftercare nature of the encounter—which obviously distinguishes it from acute care. Payment and DRG considerations Z51.A is not a CC or an MCC. But, if it necessitates an admission and is reported as principal, it groups to the MDC 23 and the following MS-DRGs: ·     DRG 949: Aftercare with CC/MCC (relative weight 1.0790, geometric mean LOS 4.4 days) ·     DRG 950: Aftercare without CC/MCC (0.5861, geometric mean LOS 2.9 days) Note: Z51.A is exempt from Present on Admission (POA) reporting.   The best article I’ve found on this is by old friend Dr. Erica Remer for Medlearn. Erica adds a great deal of clinical insight on physical manifestations of post-sepsis syndrome, history and evolution of the code, as well as some interesting open-ended questions on how long the code should be used post-sepsis. She also notes that we lack a code for personal history of sepsis. I’m including a link to her article below.

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As health system leaders reimagine growth in the face of workforce shortages, rising patient expectations, and financial pressures, one thing is clear: transformation is no longer optional—it’s imperative. This Becker's Healthcare article highlights 10 key areas where CEOs and CFOs are investing, from ambulatory care and digital transformation to behavioral health and workforce development. At Judge Healthcare, we’re part of this evolution—helping organizations scale their teams, optimize care delivery, and build sustainable workforce pipelines.   Whether it’s staffing for outpatient expansion, supporting virtual care initiatives, or embedding behavioral health professionals into primary care models, our work is aligned with the future these leaders are building. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eRrzYDRK

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We are excited to announce the launch of Intercare Locums, a dedicated division of Intercare Recruitment, focused exclusively on providing locum tenens physician support across the United States. The demand for healthcare providers continues to outpace supply, leaving hospitals, clinics, and communities facing critical staffing challenges. At Intercare Locums, our mission is simple yet powerful: to narrow the physician shortage gap by delivering highly qualified, flexible, and reliable physician coverage where it’s needed most. By partnering with healthcare facilities, we: Ensure continuity of care during staffing shortages Reduce provider burnout by offering flexible coverage Help organizations safeguard financial health with sustainable workforce solutions Support communities by ensuring patients receive timely access to care With our deep expertise in healthcare staffing and commitment to personalized service, Intercare Locums is here to make an immediate and lasting impact on the physician workforce crisis. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient healthcare system. Please visit our website: www.intercarelocums.com

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𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 🏥 Trying to maintain an efficient credentialing process amidst ever-changing regulations? You're not the only one! For hospital executives, legal teams, and physicians, it's a familiar headache. 👨‍⚕️ Without a solid approach, you might face long processing delays, compromised care, soaring operational costs, and even legal headaches. Definitely not what the doctor ordered! Here's how to keep your credentialing process running smoothly: 📌 Assign a dedicated team or individual to stay sharp on regulatory updates. 📌 Regular audits can help you spot and smooth out any process snags. 📌 Embrace methods like Six Sigma or Lean to boost process efficiency. 📌 Keep all your credentialing info in one central place. 📌 Boost communication between departments. 📌 Incorporate peer reviews to maintain high standards. Implement these strategies for more streamlined operations, quicker processing times, and a spotless reputation. How have you tackled the credentialing challenge? Drop your insights below! ⬇ ➖➖➖ Over the last 25+ years as an MD with an MBA and MPH, I have worked with 3 Multi-Million dollar Hospital organizations serving as VPMA and CMO saving millions of dollars and improving quality. I went on to serve as Chief Physician Executive for BDO USA, the fifth-largest professional services firm in the United States. The key to my clients' success has been my proprietary ACCESS Methodology: Assess Coach Consult Execute Strategize Simplify Today, I run my own organization helping hospital executives solve their “Burning Issues”. For a limited time, get my newest ebook for free: "Caught in the Crossfire: The 5 Executive Errors That Ignite Corporate Crises in Hospitals”. Quickly learn 5 critical hospital mistakes and how to fix them. ***** 👉 Type “PDF” in the COMMENTS, and I will send you a FREE PDF copy. #healthcare #management #innovation #law #leadership #healthleaders

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Healthcare’s biggest hidden cost? Turnover. APP retention averages around 70% at three years — with each departure costing six figures in recruitment, productivity loss, and team disruption. ThriveAP’s transition to practice programs have proven to boost retention to up to 95%, mitigating turnover costs while strengthening patient care. From my perspective, while short-term cuts may feel necessary, investing in APP development is a smarter financial and leadership strategy for long-term resilience. Take a deeper dive at https://lnkd.in/gkBxhpXd.

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Busy April for hospital price transparency compliance: - 2,478 hospitals have updated their machine-readable files (MRF) in April, 40% of all hospitals - 2.5B individual rates have been added or updated - 79.5% of hospitals have adopted the new requirements from CMS that launched on 1/1/25

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Advantage Support Services is currently onboarding new healthcare facilities for Q3 2025 clinical assessments. Our team supports hospitals and surgical centers in identifying practical, measurable improvements across sterile processing and perioperative workflows. These assessments are designed to: Reduce surgical site infection (SSI) risk Address surgical tray bioburden Decrease operational waste Streamline clinical and support functions Each engagement is customized to help organizations enhance safety, improve efficiency, and align with current accreditation standards. 📅 Q3 availability is limited. https://lnkd.in/e-FMRm4G 📞 (615) 341-6222 🌐 www.advantagesupport.com We’re here to support teams committed to sustainable improvement and patient-centered care.

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Healthcare organizations are using locum tenens more strategically than ever. Many are turning to locums to meet rising patient demand, mitigate burnout, reduce staff workload, and more. Leveraging locums is no longer just a reactive solution. It’s a proactive tool for building resilient staffing models. Check out the report and let’s talk about what this means for your team: https://ow.ly/XxNr30sQQQ8

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