ANN ARBOR, MI – Ten U.S. health systems have been identified by Thomson Reuters as providing the best when it comes to quality of care, efficiency and patient satisfaction.

Thomson Reuters released its third annual study Wednesday identifying the 10 top:

1. Advocate Health Care*  ― Oak Brook, IL

2. Cape Cod Healthcare ― Hyannis, MA

3. CareGroup Healthcare System ― Boston, MA
4. Kettering Health Network* ― Dayton, OH

5. Maury Regional Healthcare System ― Columbia, TN

6. Mayo Foundation**  ― Rochester, MN

7. NorthShore University HealthSystem ― Evanston, IL

8. OhioHealth* ― Columbus, OH
9. Partners Healthcare ― Boston, MA
10. Spectrum Health** ― Grand Rapids, MI

*Denotes three-time winner
  **Denotes two-time winner



Compared with their peers, the Thomson Reuters 10 Top Health Systems saved more lives, caused fewer medical complications, made fewer medical errors, followed recommended standards of care more closely, released patients half a day sooner on average, and scored better on patient satisfaction surveys.



”This year, the 10 Top Health Systems set a new standard for high quality of care across all of the communities they serve,” said Jean Chenoweth, senior vice president for performance improvement and 100 Top Hospitals programs at Thomson Reuters.

”To produce consistent, strong performance across multiple hospitals, health system leaders must be providing crystal clear goals and communication as well as the means for staff to execute effectively,” Chenoweth said. “These systems are positioned to continue performi

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Buffalo, N.Y. – Video recordings of the University at Buffalo School of Management commencement ceremonies are available online.

Visit Commencement 2011 to watch the ceremonies, available through YouTube.

Videos are available for both undergraduate and graduate ceremonies and divided by sections, including the processional, greetings from the dean, student comments, conferral of degrees, awards, presidential and provost comments and the closing.

The UB School of Management is recognized for its emphasis on real-world learning, community and economic impact, and the global perspective of its faculty, students and alumni. The school has been ranked by Bloomberg Businessweek, the Financial Times, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report and The Wall Street Journal for the quality of its programs and the return on investment it provides its graduates.

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When you have obligations, the thought of not being able to meet them can be frightening — especially when they are financial obligations. Many people worry about what would happen if they were unable to make their credit card payments. This concern is what leads many to agree to credit card insurance plans.

photo credit: mueritz

Credit Card Payment Protection

A credit card payment protection plan is one that purports to make your minimum payment for you, if you become unable to do it yourself. Most credit card insurance plans are offered through credit card issuers. So, you would sign up for a plan with each of your credit cards. Then, according to the literature issuers send, if you lose your job or become injured and can’t make payments, your minimum payments will be covered.

Most of these plans cost a portion of your balance. Som Complete article…

Just wanted to say Happy Memorial Day to everyone (it’s a holiday where we remember the service and sacrifice of those who have given their lives for our country.) Like most others in the U.S., I’m taking the day off — I’ll be back tomorrow.In addition to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for America, I like to remember and thank all our veterans, enlisted personnel, officers, and their families on this day. Words are inadequate to express our great appreciation for your service.

WASHINGTON – The Department of Health & Human Services has unveiled a regulation that will require independent review of most health insurance annual premium increases of 10 percent or higher.

The regulation, which applies to health insurance policies sold in the individual and small group markets, goes into effect September 1 and also requires insurers “to provide consumers with easy to understand information about the reasons for unreasonable rate increases and post the justification for those hikes on their website as well as on the HHS Affordable Care Act website,” according to an HHS release.

The 10 percent threshold set by HHS will be in effect for one year. Starting in 2012, individual states will set their own thresholds that will trigger rate review. This

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