COVID-19

Outside of the loss of human life due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the past two years have greatly affected hospitals, health systems and the way providers deliver care. Healthcare executives are grappling with federal monetary assistance, growing burnout rates, workforce shortages and federal oversight of vaccines and testing. This channel is also designed to update clinicians on new research and guidelines regarding COVID patient treatment strategies and risk assessments.

Worries rise over bird flu in cows
Infectious disease experts are ratcheting up their watchfulness of the H5N1 influenza virus. That’s because the strain of “bird flu” has continued turning up in domestic livestock.
Bird flu in cows: Interesting anomaly or troubling harbinger of things to come?
The avian influenza virus H5N1 has only turned up in two humans in the U.S., but its recent spread to dairy cattle has some experts on at least slightly elevated alert.
Measles is on the march from airports to places near us
The U.S. eradicated measles in 2000. Today it’s making a comeback. What explains the unhappy revival?
Behind the scenes in COVID research labs, then and now
The past four years have witnessed major advancements in medical science’s drive to unravel the complexities of the human immune system. We have the COVID-19 pandemic to thank for much of the progress.
Geriatrician gives 3 reasons older Americans should get the latest COVID jab now-ish
Early May will mark the first anniversary of the officially declared end of the COVID-19 public health emergency by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Nevertheless ...

10 fresh takes on the lab-leak theory of COVID’s origin

Last weekend The Wall Street Journal reported on new classified intelligence that has led the U.S. Energy Department to conclude, albeit with “low confidence,” that the COVID-19 pandemic may have started in a Wuhan lab after all.

February 28, 2023

Medicare money payment physician. The CardioVascular Coalition and Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions have both issued new statements highlighting their issues with the 2024 MPFS proposed rule.

Hospitals still facing financial struggles in 2023

Hospital margins were -1% in January 2023, compared to -0.7% in December 2022.

February 28, 2023

FDA authorizes first at-home flu and COVID-19 test

The test specifically can detect and differentiate between influenza A and B and the SARS-Cov-2 virus that causes COVID-19.

February 27, 2023

Millions unaware they will lose Medicaid coverage when COVID-19 PHE ends

In a survey by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation from December 2022, 64.3% of adults in Medicaid-enrolled families were unaware of the resumption of Medicaid renewals in the future.

February 21, 2023

Marburg virus outbreak in Equatorial Guinea raises public health concerns

An outbreak of Marburg virus disease has been confirmed in Equatorial Guinea for the first time, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported.

February 21, 2023

Manufacturers, health organizations unite to address medical supply chain

The newly formed group, the American Medical Manufacturers Association, includes Altor Safety, Aquaspersions USA, Blue Star NBR, Lutema, Ochsner Health, Premium-PPE, SafeSource Direct, United Safety Technology and Vizient as its initial members.

February 15, 2023

No new COVID-19 variants emerged in latest outbreak in China

More than 90% of local infections in Beijing between Nov. 14 and Dec. 20, 2022, were BA.5.2 and BF.7, two existing Omicron sub-variants of COVID-19.

February 13, 2023

HHS issues guidance as COVID-19 PHE winds down

The guidance clarifies what will and will not be impacted by the sunset of the PHE on May 11.

February 10, 2023

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AI in Healthcare

Biden Administration itemizes AI accomplishments to date

Half a year after President Biden officially directed federal agencies in the executive branch’s bailiwick to “seize the promise and manage the risks” of AI, the White House has posted a status report.

Cardiovascular Business

‘Concerning’ data connect industry payments to cardiologists with medical device use

U.S. physicians often receive payments from medical device manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies. New research in JAMA found a connection between receiving such payments and using specific devices—should the industry be concerned?

Cardiovascular Business

Cardiology groups share key update: ABMS seeking feedback on proposed Board of Cardiovascular Medicine

Five of the largest U.S. medical societies focused on cardiovascular health are one step closer to seeing their paradigm-shifting proposal become a reality.

COVID-19

Worries rise over bird flu in cows

Bird flu in cows: Interesting anomaly or troubling harbinger of things to come?

Measles is on the march from airports to places near us

Behind the scenes in COVID research labs, then and now

Geriatrician gives 3 reasons older Americans should get the latest COVID jab now-ish

Around the web