IHA releases latest hospital data trends
IHA has collected data trends from 100 hospitals for January-February 2023 as compared with the same time frame in 2022:

• Acute discharges increased 0.9% as acute patient days decreased 3.6%.
• Ambulatory surgery visits (hospital-based) increased 2.5%.
• Average facility paid hours increased 27.9%.
• Average length of stay decreased 3.9%.
• Average physician paid hours increased 137%.
• Births increased 0.8%.
• Charity care increased 12.7%.
• Emergency department visits increased 1.6%.
• Facility employment (excluding physicians) increased 26.5%.
• Inpatient admissions from the emergency department increased 2.2%.
• Inpatient surgeries increased 5.9%.
• Medicaid acute discharges decreased 1.1% and Medicaid acute patient days decreased 6.9%.
• Net patient revenue (collected charges) increased 5.6%.
• Outpatient utilization increased 8.7%.
• Payroll and benefits expense decreased 1.5%.
• Total average paid hours increased 38.1%.
• Total expenses increased 1.5%.
• Uncompensated care (bad debts) decreased 18.6%.

Dusenbery, MercyOne Northeast Iowa president, to retire
Jack Dusenbery, president of MercyOne Northeast Iowa and a member of the Iowa Hospital Education Research Foundation's board of directors, announced his retirement effective Friday, April 28. Dusenbery has been with MercyOne for 20 years where he added needed services and expanded locations in communities. Before joining MercyOne, he spent 20 years with Tenet Healthcare in Dallas.

Dusenbery has been active in IHA’s work with member hospitals and health systems. Besides his role on the IHERF board, Dusenbery’s IHA involvement includes:

• Member of the IHA Council on Representation and Advocacy, 2005-2021.
• IHERF Board of Directors, 2008-2013, and IHERF Board Chair, 2013-2014.
• IHA Board of Officers and Trustees, 2014-2020.
• Iowa Healthcare Collaborative Board of Directors, 2014-2020.

Dusenbery will be missed for his involvement with and support of IHA and his fellow health care leaders, and for his work on IHERF's board of directors to ensure a strong future for health care.

Spots still available for 2023 Workers’ Compensation Conference
It’s not too late to register for the 2023 Workers’ Compensation Conference hosted by ServiShare partner AssuredPartners. Participants in the conference will discuss:

• Case studies of three hospitals implementing positive safety cultures.
• Claims case studies and best practices.
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration reporting and record-keeping.
• Supervisory safety training.
• Workplace violence in health care.

The conference is scheduled from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, April 18

MolinaCares offering scholarships to high school seniors
High school seniors interested in careers in long-term care are encouraged to apply to the MolinaCares High School Health Care Scholarship. Nine scholarships of up to $2,000 each are available for the 2023-2024 academic school year for Iowa students enrolled in or accepted to a college with accredited programs for:

• Bachelor’s degrees in nursing.
• Certified nursing assistants.
• Licensed practical nurses.
• Registered nurses.

Scholarship applications are due Wednesday, May 31.