< + > How Healthcare Can Employ Robotics To Address Patient Immobility

AI and robotics in healthcare are proving to be instrumental in assisting officials detect diseases and abnormalities in time. Robotics is a boundless field of which a subset consists of physically-assistive robots that can help an immobile patient move.

< + > Could This Novel Psychedelic Compound Treat Major Depressive Disorder? Clinical Trial Seeks To Find Out

Exclusive details on Cybin's IND application with the FDA, a move that could make its CYB003 compound the first psilocybin analog to be evaluated in Phase 1/2a development.

< + > Psychedelics Co. Silo Wellness To Acquire Dyscovry Science, Seeking To Leverage Its Govt. Partnerships

Exclusive details on Silo Wellness' proposed acquisition of Dyscovry Science, a company that, unlike most of its peers in the psychedelics space, which focus on mental health issues, is targeting a physiological condition: irritable bowel syndrome.

< + > India's NHA launches ABDM public dashboard

It displays a real-time feed of registries made under its various blocks.

< + > Why Omicron Is About To Make Americans Act Immorally, Inappropriately

Even as Americans begin to move on from the Covid-19 pandemic, those who get sick still try to avoid spreading the virus. They stay home and avoid others. Don't get used to it. This, too, will pass.

< + > Melbourne-based Northern Health taps The Clinician for patient registration platform

The platform enables remote patient health assessment and immediate triaging by staff.

< + > The Latest In Neonatal Care: A “Smart” Pacifier

According to the developers, the device may help monitor a baby's electrolytes.

< + > Memorial Day

We hope that all of you are having a great Memorial Day.  At Healthcare IT Today, we’ve taken the day off to enjoy time with family and to take time to remember those who passed away.  While I know Memorial Day can be a hard day for many, it’s always been one of joy for […]

< + > A Major Science Journal Publisher Adds A Weird Notice To Every Paper. What’s Behind This?

Back in March of 2017, every single paper in the journal Nature included a strange note about maps. The notices are still appearing today. Why is the publisher doing this? It seems to be the result of pressure from China.

< + > What does the future hold for AI in healthcare?

Smart jumpsuits for babies and precision oncology are some of the innovative ways that AI could be used to turn data into actionable insights, which will be explored in more detail at HIMSS22 Europe in June.

< + > Biogen Explores Music Therapy To Improve Walking In MS Through Partnership With MedRythms

MedRythyms – a Portland-based digital therapeutics company has signed a lucrative deal with pharmaceutical giant Biogen to bring its music therapy offering designed to improve walking in people with multiple sclerosis a step closer to reality.

< + > Did Marjorie Taylor Greene Say ‘Peach Tree Dish’ Instead Of Petri Dish?

Taylor Greene also claimed that the government "totally wants to provide surveillance on every part of your life,” including on when and what you are eating.

< + > Almost 1,000 U.S. Flights Canceled Over Memorial Day Weekend

Americans are traveling at nearly pre-pandemic levels this holiday weekend, but many found their trips disrupted by flight cancellations and delays.

< + > FDA: Strawberries Recalled As Hepatitis A Virus Outbreak Has Left 16 Hospitalized

The outbreak has already left at least 17 people infected and 12 hospitalized in the U.S. and at least 10 infected and four hospitalized in Canada.

< + > CDC: Level 2 Travel Alert Due To Monkeypox, Here’s What This Means

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging potential travelers to “Practice Enhanced Precautions.”

< + > Child Hepatitis Cases Continue To Rise In The U.K.

Experts are investigating what's behind the unusual illness, with 650 probable cases now reported worldwide.

< + > New York Is Giving Its Elderly Population “Companion” Robots

There are nearly 54 million people aged 65 or older in the USA.

< + > Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak in NYC Kills 1 Person And Sickens 19

The outbreak of Legionnaires disease in the Bronx has been traced back to cooling towers.

< + > Man Suffers Memory Loss 10 Minutes After Having Sex, Here’s What Transient Global Amnesia Is

After having sexual intercourse, the man forgot his wedding anniversary. But not in the way that you might have expected.

< + > FDA To Approve Import Of Over One Million Cans Of Infant Formula From Australia

Today the FDA announced that Australia will be shipping over one million cans of desperately needed infant formula to the U.S.

< + > No Surprises Act Prevented 2 Million Surprise Medical Bills In 2 Months, New Study Shows

The No Surprises Act is designed to protect consumers from surprise medical bills. According to a new report, it's already starting to work.

< + > Young Adult Blood Cancer Survivors Face increased Risk Of Death For Decades After Treatment

The research highlights the importance of continued checkups and care for young people who have been treated for blood cancer.

< + > Cerner EHR helps boost revenue and patient satisfaction for ASC

American Surgery Center's move to automated billing and inventory tracking bolstered its bottom line, its leaders say, and helped improve decision-making across the enterprise.

< + > CVS Health unveils new virtual primary care platform

The integrated telehealth offering will be available to Aetna plan sponsors and CVS Caremark members in early 2023.

< + > Dementia Is On The Rise Worldwide. Here’s How To Stop It

Before 2020, dementia and memory loss were a major part of the global health care conversation. Dementia is the seventh leading cause of death, and the emergence of COVID-19 has shone a light on its implications for dementia. But a hidden pandemic has been growing - a rise in global dementia cases.

< + > 1 In 8 LGBTQ+ Americans Face Health Insurance Discrimination, New Survey Shows

A new survey shows that many LGBTQ+ Americans face discrimination from their health insurer. Still, many say health insurance is improving for LGBTQ+ people.

< + > 6 EHR Optimization Tips

One thing I’ve learned in 16 years writing about health IT and particularly focused on EMR (now EHR if you prefer), is that the EHR still impacts so many things in the life of a clinician.  Yes, hospitals and health systems have 1000s of health IT solutions that they have to manage, upgrade, secure, etc.  […]

< + > U.S. Covid Hospitalizations Surge 29% In Two Weeks

Most of the South reported above-average rises in Covid-19 infections during the past 14 days, according to a New York Times analysis of Department of Health and Human Services data.

< + > CynergisTek to be acquired by Clearwater Compliance for $17.7M

The healthcare cybersecurity company has entered into a definitive agreement to be bought in an all-cash deal. After the merger, it will be taken private as a subsidiary of Clearwater.

< + > Geisinger moving its EHR and 400 applications to the AWS cloud

The prominent Pennsylvania health system is going all in with Amazon Web Services in a move it sees as helping improve access to and quality of care.

< + > Revenue integrity tool boosts revenue 30% at AFC Urgent Care

Staff used the technology for better outpatient evaluation and management coding and documentation, greatly improving on past processes and performance.

< + > ChristianaCare rolls out 'cobots' to help nurses with non-clinical tasks

The "collaborative robots," known as Moxi, will be linked with the Delaware health system's Cerner EHR. They're designed to make deliveries and collections, helping ease clinicians' workload and enabling them to focus on care.

< + > InnovationRx: Wartime Attacks On Healthcare: Plus, 1 In 5 May Develop Long Covid

InnovationRx is your weekly digest of healthcare news. Sign up!

< + > From Helping Pharmaceutical Firms To Develop Drugs Faster To Focusing On Mental Health, These 30 Under 30 Entrepreneurs Are Improving Healthcare In Asia

Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia honorees in this year’s Healthcare and Science category are working towards optimizing the drug development process and providing access to mental health services.

< + > 1 Of 5 With Covid May Develop Long Covid, CDC Finds—Though Vaccination May Offer Some Protection, Study Suggests

A study conducted by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found vaccines were effective at preventing some of the most debilitating symptoms of long Covid, including lung and blood-clotting disorders.

< + > Paxlovid Paradox, Part 1: Trying to Outrun COVID-19

The dilemma is heart-rending. With COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations rising, the FDA approved two drugs—Paxlovid from Pfizer, and molnupiravir from Merck and Ridgeback—to treat the illness that is killing so many and rendering others permanently disabled. Yet in the United States, many patients can’t get the drug, or even figure out which pharmacy near them […]

< + > Technology as the Community Hospital Change Agent

The following is a guest article by Christine Schuster, RN, MBA, is President & CEO of Emerson Hospital in Concord, Mass. Our community hospital deliberated for years on whether and how to implement telehealth in our ambulatory practices.  It was as complicated as it was controversial.  And then the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in March 2020 and […]

< + > Greater Good Health Raises $10 Million in Funding to Empower Nurse Practitioners and Improve Primary Care Access

Having launched a care model centered around nurse practitioners, Greater Good Health’s latest funding round will broaden its reach and breadth of value-based care capabilities Greater Good Health, the company redefining value-based care through the first primary care model centered around nurse practitioners, today announced that it has secured a total of $13 million in funding since […]

< + > New York State Office for the Aging deploys AI robots as companions for older adults

The U.S. Surgeon General declared social isolation to be a "global epidemic." The office hopes these companions can help care for seniors.

< + > Northwell Health's pandemic experience makes the case for robust occupational health IT

The past two years have underscored the importance of a "present, productive and healthy workforce," and the need for a strong digital infrastructure to support employee health initiatives.

< + > Pfizer Offers Low-Cost Drugs And Vaccines—Including Covid Treatments—To World’s Poorest Countries

Pfizer said it would sell its patented medicines and vaccines—including for Covid-19, breast cancer and pneumonia—to low-income countries on a not-for-profit basis.

< + > Telehealth’s Newest Frontier: Emergency Medicine

Tele-triage, tele-care, and virtual rounds: just a few ways that remote emergency medicine is being envisioned.

< + > CIO Podcast – Episode 32: Clinical Informatics Success with Tom Selva

For the 32nd episode of the CIO podcast hosted by Healthcare IT Today, we sat down with Tom Selva, MD, CMIO at University of Missouri Health Care.  In this discussion, we talk about Dr. Selva and his team winning the 2021 HIMSS Davies Award and what it meant to him and his organization.  Plus, he […]

< + > Smallpox Antiviral May Help Ease Monkeypox Symptoms, Study Says

The U.S. Strategic National Reserve includes 1.7 million doses of tecovirimat—a smallpox treatment that might also be effective against monkeypox, a rare disease that has been diagnosed in dozens of American and European patients in recent weeks.

< + > Strenuous Exercise Causes Massive Increase In Respiratory Aerosol Production

The researchers suggest their findings may explain why so many Covid-19 superspreader events occur at indoor fitness venues.

< + > HIMSS welcomes plans for EMRAM Stage 5 to become NHS baseline

NHS England will prioritise the least digitally mature trusts for investment.

< + > Will Healthcare AI Augment or Replace? – #HITsm Chat Topic

We’re excited to share the topic and questions for this week’s #HITsm chat happening Friday, 5/20 at Noon ET (9 AM PT).  This week’s chat will be hosted by John Lynn (@techguy) from @hcittoday on the topic “Will Healthcare AI Augment or Replace?” A lot of talk about AI has been people scared that their job was going […]

< + > KAID Health Announces Series A to Fuel Growth of its AI-Powered Provider/Payer Whole Chart Analysis Platform

Funding to expand company’s footprint among healthcare providers and the insurers they partner with while improving reimbursement, clinician efficiency, and care quality KAID Health, makers of an artificial intelligence-enabled clinical analysis and provider engagement platform, today announced its $4.25 million Series A funding. The financing was led by prominent healthcare IT investors, including Activate Venture Partners and Martinson Ventures. […]

< + > Covid-19 Vaccines For Children Under Age Five Years: Explained

Today Pfizer/BioNTech announced that their data on the three-dose Covid-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months to under age 5 years had favorable results regarding immune response with minimal side effects.

< + > U.S. Will Release Monkeypox Vaccine From National Stockpile, CDC Says

Many of the smallpox vaccines and treatments that the U.S. has in storage could also be effective against monkeypox, according to federal health officials.

< + > Cancer And Dementia Patients Face Higher Risk Of Breakthrough Covid, Studies Find

The study’s authors said people with cancer or dementia should keep taking mitigation measures to avoid Covid-19—even if they’re vaccinated.

< + > RPM Platform Learnings from UK Being Brought to the US

One of the most interesting people I met at the HIMSS 2022 conference this year was João Bocas.  If you’re on Twitter, then you’ve probably seen him tweeting from his account @WearablesExpert where he shares great digital health content.  One thing I love about Bocas is that he brings a great international perspective to the […]

< + > Ambulatory surgery center's virtual care platform helps boost productivity and patient satisfaction

The Surgical Center at Columbia Orthopaedic Group was doing about 60 total joint procedures a month and 20 spine cases – today those numbers have doubled.

< + > The Critical Need for Fully Secure Networks for Remote Data Sharing

The following is a guest article by Lucio Lanza, Managing Partner at Lanza techVentures, David Stewart, CEO at Approov. Covid compelled healthcare providers and consumers to accelerate their digital transformation and they did, creating dramatic changes in behavior patterns. The traditional hospital-centric medical care system morphed into a patient-centric care system. Virtual, distributed healthcare services provided digitally […]

< + > Featured Health IT Job: Business Intelligence Analyst

We like to regularly feature a healthcare IT job that might be of interest to readers. Today, we’re featuring the Business Intelligence Analyst III position that was recently posted on Healthcare IT Central. This position was posted by Colorado Access and is in Colorado. Here’s a description of the position: What you will do: Under […]

< + > Green Shoots Of New Innovation Or Invasive Weeds?

This new class of healthcare innovators equipped with technology, research methods, and the capacity to scale is poised to demonstrate that a new model of care can succeed. Will these innovators be seen as the green shoots they are, or will they be targeted as invasive weeds and driven out?

< + > Families Must Provide More Medical Care At Home, But With Little Training

The study, by Julia Burgdorf of the Visiting Nurse Service of New York and co-authors, looked at home health care after hospital discharge.

< + > British startup accuRx rolls out patient-centred viewing system

Record View is available for NHS healthcare professionals in England and Wales. 

< + > U.S. Covid-19 Cases Top 7-Day Average Of 100,000 For First Time Since February

New cases are up 42% from two weeks ago amid the spread of multiple subvariants of omicron.

< + > Alex Jones’ Unfounded Claims That Monkeypox Outbreak Due To Covid-19 Vaccines

Here are the issues with what Jones and some others have been claiming about the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccines.

< + > Engineers Are Unsung Heroes Of Global Health

Engineers add tremendous value in all areas of global health and medical care. They are unsung heroes of global health

< + > U.S Military Plane Lands With 39 Tons Of Baby Formula Amid National Shortage

A plane arrived in Indianapolis Sunday carrying enough baby formula to ease the national shortage by about 15%, Biden Administration officials said.

< + > Monkeypox Outbreak Triggers New Conspiracy Theories About Bill Gates As #BillGatesBioTerrorist Trends

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) pushed some of these conspiracy theories about Gates on Thursday’s edition of her Facebook Live show MTG:Live.

< + > Researchers Plan Blockchain-Based App Designed To Reward Patient Compliance

A midwestern health system is partnering with a university to build a blockchain-based app focused on rewarding patients for complying with their regimen. Among the key goals of the project is to see whether the app can provide the rewards while still meeting consumer privacy and protection laws. The project is being conducted jointly by […]

< + > Stats, The Network, and AI & Blockchain Hype – Fun Friday

Happy Friday everyone!  I hope you had a great week as we start to inch closer to summer.  It’s that time again for another edition of Fun Friday.  That’s right.  We slip away from the health IT content we usually publish and share something funny and entertaining with you.  We hope we can put a […]

< + > Breast Milk Sharing Occurring Due To Baby Formula Shortage, Here Are The Risks

Parents and caregivers have been looking to breast milk sharing groups on social media.

< + > Urgent FDA Recall For Peanut Butter Over Salmonella Concerns

The FDA has issued an urgent alert regarding Jif peanut butter, linking it to 14 Salmonella cases and 2 hospitalized people.

< + > Europe Reports Growing Number Of Monkeypox Infections As NYC Investigates Potential Case

France, Germany and Belgium confirmed their first cases this week, while the United Kingdom added 11 new cases on Friday as infections have begun to crop up around the Western world.

< + > AMA, Brigham and Women's, Joint Commission target equity, quality & safety

Their new peer network of major health systems is designed to boost health outcomes for marginalized patient populations, helping hospitals "apply an equity lens to all aspects of quality and safety."

< + > Get Well unveils digital health meditation initiative for veterans and others

The new offering is designed to boost whole health through evidence-based guided imagery and meditation.

< + > NIH All of Us Research Program puts focus on precision nutrition

A principal investigator of the landmark personalized medicine initiative explains how AI and other technologies are advancing its research – and could transform patient care.

< + > FDA Turns Down Fluvoxamine Emergency Use Authorization Request

The Food and Drug Administration denied an emergency use authorization for fluvoxamine as a SARS-CoV-2 antiviral.

< + > UCHealth changes prescribing behavior for the better with real-time transparency data

Nearly half of providers who saw an alternative with a savings opportunity made a switch to that lower-cost option, and the health system has achieved a 98.3% success rate in prescription transactions between PBMs and its Epic EHR.

< + > Irish Digital Pathology and AI Company, Deciphex, Raises $11.5M in Series B Funding Led by ACT Venture Capital

Deciphex, a leading provider of pathology software and services, announced today the closing of a $11.5 million Series B funding round. The round was led by ACT Venture Capital, with Charles River Laboratories, Novartis, IRRUS Investments, Nextsteps Capital, HBAN Medtech Syndicate and other current investors also participating. Pathology is heading for a crunch point due […]

< + > Amwell rolls out new behavioral health program

The virtual care expansion, which builds on Amwell's SilverCloud Health acquisition, is designed in response to clinician shortages and aims to help reduce the cost of mental healthcare, the company says.

< + > Cerner working with Elligo, Frenome on multiomics for early cancer detection

With real-world data from its Learning Health Network, Cerner hopes to advance oncology innovation and expand access to clinical trials.

< + > Mojo Vision’s Smart Contact Lens: Ready For Real-World Testing

“Basically, it’s all about giving you super powers. We’re building the world’s first, true augmented reality smart contact lens. So, something that you could put on your eye, see content when you want to see it, have it disappear when you’re not using it."

< + > Predisposition Of Serious Disease Is Different For Old And Young Adults

A retrospective study examines more than 6900 medical records, correlating the effects of age, comorbidities, and the severity of symptoms from contracting SARS-CoV-2.

< + > Kyle Robertson Is Out As CEO Of Mental Health Startup Cerebral

Chief medical officer David Mou named CEO, as the company faces a DOJ investigation and lawsuit from an ex-executive over its medication prescribing practices.

< + > AI-enabled app evaluates MRI data to help analyze dementia

Neurological IT company Combinostics announces the Dementia Differential Analysis report on the differential diagnosis of dementias. The app-based report visualizes comparisons of patient MRI biomarkers with other data from patients.

< + > How providers and Florida Medicaid manage potentially preventable ED visits via health IT

Ongoing real-time data enables the immediate monitoring of the impact of interventions, rather than waiting months to years to see the effects.

< + > The WHO To Discuss Global Pandemic Treaty At World Health Assembly May 22-28

Despite calls for more global coordination, some have been arguing against such a treaty, even starting a hashtag #StopTheTreaty.

< + > Google and DeepMind face legal claim for unauthorised use of NHS medical records

The data on 1.6 million patients was allegedly used without their consent. 

< + > Health Catalyst Acquires ARMUS; Bolsters Clinical Quality Offering and Outsourced Services

Health Catalyst, Inc. (“Health Catalyst,” Nasdaq: HCAT), a leading provider of data and analytics technology and services to healthcare organizations, today announced that it has acquired ARMUS Corporation, a Silicon Valley-based clinical registry development and data management technology company. ARMUS provides data abstraction, data validation, data management, data submission, and data reporting services to support […]

< + > A Dynamic Duo: How ACE-2 And CD147 Mediate Covid-19 Infection In The Kidneys

Why are the kidneys so vulnerable to viral infection? This second part of our two-part series takes a deeper look at how the expression of CD147 and ACE-2 receptors mediates the infection of a specialized group of kidney cells: podocytes.

< + > How advanced analytics can help solve SDOH problems

An expert tells how to surface key social determinant insights about patient populations and turn insights into action.

< + > DOJ accuses cardiologist of designing, selling ransomware

According to the agency, the doctor allegedly advertised a tool seemingly named after a Marvel villain that could be used to construct malicious software.

< + > The Sequoia Project publishes draft QHIN onboarding and designation SOPs

ONC's coordinating entity for TEFCA is seeking feedback on the draft, which details proposed processes and requirements for becoming a Qualified Health Information Network.

< + > Pay A Little, Get A Little: Medicare’s Annual Wellness Visit Misses The Mark

Expanding wellness checks to everyone is a band-aid solution to improving overall health. While a wellness visit may help some on the margins, what many seniors under Medicare Plan B receive will be of little benefit.

< + > EHR Optimization – Healthcare IT Today Podcast Episode 88

For the 88th episode of the Healthcare IT Podcast, we’re talking about EHR Optimization.  Many people are tired of hearing about EMR and EHR.  That feels like something we talked about a decade ago when meaningful use was hot and now we’re ready to move on.  While I can understand this feeling, the reality is […]

< + > ATA 2022: A Shining Moment for the Meaningful Use of Telehealth Technology

The following is a guest article by Bryan Schnepf, Vice President of Marketing at Caregility. “Meaningful use” punctuated nearly every conference a decade ago in the health tech space. Everyone was focused on adoption, but also the integration of EHR technology into the care delivery workflows. Similar in spirit to the early days of Meaningful […]

< + > For Pride Month, Target is Selling Compression Tops And Packing Underwear

Many customers are excited to see gender-affirming underwear and swimwear in a big-box store. This is the first time that Target has stocked compression tops on the racks.

< + > How healthcare orgs can protect their supply chain from cyber risks

A new report from the Cloud Security Alliance explains that it's essential to apply a risk rating, using predefined criteria, to all subscribers.

< + > When Will We Get Serious About Obesity?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), two out of every five adult Americans are obese.

< + > Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs in Saudi Arabia receives Stage 7 INFRAM

The organisation, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs - King Abdulaziz Medical City Riyadh, is the first to achieve quadruple Stage 7 validation.

< + > Zoom Is Crushing Students’ Spirits. It’s Time To Come Back To Class.

Colleges have been shut down for so long that students are afraid to return, and the ones who have returned are disengaged from learning. It's time to get back to normal.

< + > England’s Hospital Waiting List Grows Again To 6.36 Million

This is the highest number since records began in 2007.

< + > Pennsylvania Senate Candidate Fetterman Hospitalized With Stroke—But Campaign ‘Isn’t Slowing Down’

Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful John Fetterman suffered a stroke Friday, but will not put his campaign on hold, according to a statement he released Sunday—two days before Pennsylvania’s Democratic primary.

< + > Bacteria-Killing Viruses Are Successful In Treating Antibiotic-Resistant Infections

Two patients with difficult-to-treat Mycobacterium infections have—for the first time—been successfully treated with phage therapy.

< + > Bette Midler Tweets ‘Try Breastfeeding, It’s Free,’ Amidst Baby Formula Shortage, Here’s The Reaction

In response, many on the Twittersphere pointed out the numerous longstanding challenges of trying to breastfeed.

< + > Monkeypox Update: 2 New Cases In London, England, Unrelated To First Case

Of the two newly confirmed cases of monkeypox in the U.K., one is currently hospitalized at St Mary’s Hospital in London, whereas the other is isolating at home.

< + > Lorals New Anti-STI Underwear For Oral Sex Gets FDA Clearance

Dam. There's now a new alternative to dental dams when it comes to protecting yourself against sexually transmitted infections (STI) during oral sex.

< + > Spotting bias in AI requires a holistic approach, says study

Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital note that models can be biased against some groups while performing better for others.

< + > Nuance, Health Management Academy launch artificial intelligence collaborative

The new program is "designed exclusively for clinical and operational executives who lead their organization's approach to investing in AI as a strategic initiative."

< + > Arizona telehealth company owners plead guilty in $64M scheme

According to court documents, the operators of Phoenix-based RediDoc were accused of participating in a "circular scheme of kickbacks and bribes."

< + > Providers' best weapon against the 'retail revolution'? Digital health transformation

An expert offers perspective on what hospitals and health systems should be doing to hold their own against competitors such as Amazon, CVS, Walgreens and Walmart.

< + > Turquoise Health Raises $20M Series A Financing, Launches Direct Contracting Platform

Led by Andreessen Horowitz, with participation from Bessemer, Box Group, and Tiger Global Turquoise Health, an end-to-end healthcare pricing platform, today announced a $20M Series A investment led by existing investor Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), with participation from Bessemer, Box Group, and new investor Tiger Global. In conjunction with the financing, a16z General Partner Julie Yoo […]

< + > With 25x5 initiative, AMIA sets sights on tackling clinical documentation burden

In collaboration with Columbia and Vanderbilt, the medical informatics group seeks to optimize EHR charting and reduce burden on U.S. clinicians by 75% by 2025.

< + > Patients Are Twice As Likely To Mistreat Women Physicians Than Men

More than 70% of the workplace mistreatment that physicians are subjected to are from patients and visitors, according to a recent finding from Boston Medical Center and Stanford University School of Medicine.

< + > Biden’s Plan To Expand Broadband Will Be A Huge Help To Older Adults

While much of the attention on expanded broadband is focused on how it will help young families with children, it also will improve access to medical care and monitoring as well as social supports and services—critical benefits for older adults who have difficulty leaving their homes.

< + > A Virtual Covid-19 Summit With Virtually No Chance Of Success

A coherent financial Covid-19 plan has been lacking since the virus first arrived. Government leaders across the globe have ignored the Covid-19 reality of how the health of our economies are inexorably intertwined and the capital markets are now saying we aren't equipped for a long-term conflict.

< + > Clinical texting is a 'double-edged sword,' Regenstrief study finds

"Why should we have emojis?" one study participant said, reflecting frustration with the lack of shared understanding about texting systems.

< + > How strategy and technology can prevent patient leakage, bolster access to care

These are some of the big challenges as hospitals and health systems endeavor to operate as a single system of care.

< + > Interesting Insights into Healthcare Security and Ransomware

We’re a little late posting this, but at the HIMSS 2022 conference, I had a chance to learn and share some really great insights into healthcare security and ransomware from the team at Fortinet.  We live tweeted many of them, but thought an article round up would be great for those that missed the tweets.  […]

< + > Configo Health Announces $2 Million Funding Round Led by The Pisgah Fund

Configo Health, a leading provider of analytical benchmarking solutions for pediatric hospitals, today announced a $2 million investment led by the Pisgah Fund and the relocation of its headquarters to Asheville, NC as part of a broader commitment to grow a health analytics hub in Western North Carolina. Configo, which is currently the country’s fastest […]

< + > Matthew Gould leaves role as national director for digital transformation

Simon Madden and Catherine Pollard will head up the NHS transformation directorate.

< + > China’s Censors Target WHO Chief After Comments Criticizing Flagship Zero-Covid Policy

The WHO chief said China’s flagship strategy of eliminating all Covid-19 infections was unsustainable and called for a policy change.

< + > Dopamine Helps In Processing And Identifying Emotions: Study

While dopamine’s vital role in the rewards system has been well documented in scientific literature, a new study published in the Journal of Neuroscience proved that dopamine is also involved in recognizing emotions.

< + > Infant Formula Shortage Leaves Many Parents With Unsafe Options

Formula has been at limited in-stock supply since the spring of 2021, but the dearth of this critical necessity to millions of infants has reached an all-time record, with some states reporting up to 50% of formula being currently out of stock.

< + > Omicron May Be Less Likely To Cause Smell Loss Than Other Covid Variants, Researchers Say

Smell loss from Covid-19 has been linked to depression symptoms and dementia, researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University said.

< + > HHS awards $16.3M toward telehealth for family planning

More than two dozen grantees throughout the country will have access to up to $700,000 in funding to expand their virtual care capacity.

< + > Digital Therapeutics Leader Sidekick Raises $55M Series B To Drive Further Growth

The closing of the company’s B Series follows an oversubscribed $20m A round in 2020. The funding allows Sidekick to accelerate the multi-chronic capabilities of its therapeutics platform. And continue to advance its growing commercial footprint in the United States. International digital therapeutics leader Sidekick Health (www.sidekickhealth.com) today announces that it has raised $55 million […]

< + > WHO Mulls Closing Key Moscow Office As ‘Appalling’ Conflict Continues In Ukraine

The WHO’s regional members in Europe are debating a resolution to condemn Russian aggression and relocate a major office out of Moscow, which could force the organization to take a more overtly political stance in the conflict.

< + > Here Is What One Million Covid Deaths In The U.S. Looks Like

A by-the-numbers look at how Covid-19 has impacted the United States.

< + > Guidewell and Highmark Ventures Lead $35 Million Funding Round in Kidney Health Leader Healthmap Solutions

GuideWell and Highmark Ventures lead a $35 million funding round for kidney health leader Healthmap Solutions (Healthmap), a leading NCQA accredited kidney population health management company. Previous investors Windrose, DCHP, Shulman Ventures, and management also participated. GuideWell is the parent of Florida Blue and Triple-S Management, the Blue Cross Blue Shield plans of Florida and […]

< + > Is The End Of Private Practice Nigh?

Patients and providers should lament the increasing corporatization of medicine. All too often, it's a recipe for lower-quality, higher-priced health care.

< + > Half Of Women In The UK Can’t Label A Vagina On An Anatomy Chart

This widespread lack of anatomical knowledge can have dangerous consequences. When people do not know the basics of anatomy and menstrual hygiene, they may struggle to communicate with a sexual partner or with a medical professional.

< + > Americans Say Covid-19 Pandemic Is Over—Even If Fauci, CDC Disagree

Americans are moving on from Covid-19, whether or not health-policy experts believe they should.

< + > English Dental ‘Deserts’ Emerge As Thousands Quit Health Service

England is facing its lowest number of NHS dentists for a decade.

< + > Biden Administration ‘Sheepishly’ Waving ‘Checkered Flag’ On Covid-19 Pandemic, Says Science Editor-In-Chief

Science magazine published an editorial from its Editor-in-Chief Holden Thorp, PhD, about the Biden Administration’s recent handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. Spoiler alert. It wasn't positive.

< + > Ted Danson Calls Hearing Aids Life Changing, Can Hear His Own Farts Now

Danson recently appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show where he talked about recently getting hearing aids.

< + > Old People Died Of Covid, Young People Are Dying By Suicide - Could Connecting Them Help?

Suicide has become the leading cause of death for young people in over 100 countries. Can older people save them?

< + > Arkansas Governor Who Signed State-Level Abortion Ban Says He’s Against A National Ban

A national abortion ban would be “inconsistent with what we've been fighting for for decades,” Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) told ABC Sunday.

< + > Increasing Green Space Could Help In Slowing Down Cognitive Decline And Curtail Dementia Risk Factors

In a recent study published in the journal JAMA Network Open, researchers analyzed how exposure to residential green space is highly beneficial for your brain.

< + > Monkeypox Case Confirmed In United Kingdom, Here’s What This Rare Infection Can Do

The person infected with the monkeypox virus is under isolation and receiving treatment at the expert infectious disease unit at the Guy’s and St Thomas’ National Health Services (NHS) Foundation Trust in London, England.

< + > Over 7,300 Lucky Charms Cereal Illness Complaints On Iwaspoisoned.com, FDA Investigating

There have been reports of people suffering gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and green poop.

< + > How Advanced Biomarker Monitoring Can Transform Healthcare

The following is a guest article by Hooman Abediasl, EVP of Product Engineering for Rockley Photonics. The human body is a complex machine. Because there is seemingly no end to the ways in which the systems in your body interact, effectively tracking health conditions and identifying potential issues can be a challenge, often making it […]

< + > Study Shows Unvaccinated People Are At Increased Risk Of Infecting The Vaccinated

A new modeling study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal demonstrates that unvaccinated people threaten the safety of the vaccinated even when SARS-Cov-2 vaccination rates are high.

< + > The state of rural healthcare today, and what technology can do to help

A physician expert discusses why, among other priorities, provider CIOs should get the data required to ensure sustainable quality in medical transports.

< + > Joint audit finds DOD, VA fell short on EHR interoperability

The Offices of Inspector General for both agencies said the Federal Electronic Health Record Modernization Program Office did not take an active role in managing the initiative's success.

< + > 2022 Annual State HIT Connect Summit Creates Value for Medicaid Agencies and Public Health

The following is a guest article by Eliana Donner-Klein, Sr. Associate, Audacious Inquiry, a PointClickCare company. In-person meetups trumped video conferencing at the 2022 State HIT Connect Summit held last week in Baltimore, Maryland. After three years of virtual events, attendees finally gathered in real life to break down siloes and celebrate new ways for […]

< + > Kim Kardashian’s Met Gala Dress Sparks Debate About Diet Culture

Many health experts and body-positive advocates worry that Kardashian’s crash diet might inadvertently glamorize unhealthy weight loss.

< + > Walgreens Will Pay $683 Million To Settle Florida Opioid Cases

Walgreens Boots Alliance will pay $683 million to settle with the state of Florida to resolve claims it contributed to the opioid epidemic.

< + > ICER’s Favorable Assessment Of Bluebird Bio’s Gene Therapy Zynteglo May Have Important Pricing And Reimbursement Implications

A June FDA advisory committee will be a huge moment for struggling bluebird bio. A positive decision by FDA coupled with the favorable ICER assessment could lead to a robust cash flow. Being considered cost-effective may offer Zynteglo a distinct advantage in its negotiations with payers.

< + > Strategies And Tips To Improve Your Life Late In Retirement Or After Disability

Our lives change during retirement and often this means dealing with the onset of limitations. Here are steps to prepare for that in advance.

< + > Allscripts Closes Sale of Hospital and Large Physician Practices Business to Constellation Software

Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq:MDRX) today announced that it has completed the sale of the net assets of the Allscripts Hospital and Large Physician Practices business segment to Constellation Software Inc. (TSX:CSU), through its wholly-owned subsidiary N. Harris Computer Corporation (“Harris”). “This transaction enables Allscripts to strengthen its focus on high growth end markets of […]

< + > First Pig-To-Human Heart Transplant May Have Failed Due To Pig Virus, Report Says

The first ever pig-to-human heart transplant used a heart infected with a virus that has been linked to previous transplant failures, MIT Technology Review reports.

< + > InnovationRx: Cerebral Stops ADHD Prescribing; Plus, Big Sales For Covid Vaccines

InnovationRx is your weekly digest of healthcare news. Sign up!

< + > AI can help ID patients at higher risk of stroke, Mayo Clinic study finds

An algorithm that can help predict atrial fibrillation can also assist in identifying patients with a bigger chance of cognitive decline.

< + > Teachers’ Union Pushes Facebook Owner Meta To Take Closer Look At ‘Harms’ To Children

The U.S.’s second-largest teachers’ union claims that Meta has done too little to curb content on Facebook and Instagram that the union says has damaged students’ mental health.

< + > Mental Health Startup Cerebral To Stop ADHD Prescriptions For New Patients

The move comes a week after an ex-executive filed a lawsuit alleging he was fired in retaliation for speaking up about unethical business practices.

< + > CVS Profits Eclipse $2 Billion As Health Plan Enrollment Grows

CVS Health reported more than $2 billion in quarterly profits thanks to new health plan members “across all product lines” and customers continued to rely on its stores for Covid-19 tests and vaccinations in the pandemic.

< + > Perth private hospital to expand rollout of home care platform for surgery patients post-discharge

Following the success of the Personify Care platform in minimising readmissions after general surgeries, St John of God Murdoch Hospital is rolling it out to the specialist surgery wards.

< + > Severe Covid Can Drop Your IQ 10 Points, Study Suggests

A new study from the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London suggests severe Covid-19 cases can cause cognitive issues equivalent to aging 20 years.

< + > The Strange Return Of Ivermectin And Hydroxychloroquine: Republicans Push Drug In State Bills

Republican legislators in Ohio, Tennessee, New Hampshire, Kansas and elsewhere want to expand access to disproven Covid-19 treatments like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine.

< + > Health Plans Brace For Specialty Drugs Eclipsing 50% Of Prescription Spending

Health plans that manage drug costs say specialty drugs now account for 50% or greater of the total prescription spending they manage.

< + > Meet the nurse providing women of color with pregnancy support

Layo George founded the Wolomi app to help women of color navigate the healthcare system and to bring joy to the birthing journey. 

< + > Structural Analysis Of The Omicron Spike Unveils Houdini-Like Immune Escape

Here we analyze some of the structural properties of Omicron that enable efficient immune escape.

< + > New Research Provides Hope In The Search For A Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine- Part II

Respiratory syncytial virus is one of the leading causes of death for infants globally, and a safe vaccine has yet to be approved for use. However, the long search may soon be over, as new structure-based vaccine technology holds great promise.

< + > The Business of Giving Patients Control of Their Health Data – Healthcare IT Today Podcast Episode 87

For the 87th episode of the Healthcare IT Podcast, we’re talking about The Business of Giving Patients Control of Their Health Data.  It’s easy to say that patients should have access to their data.  ONC and other legislation have made it clear that patients have a right to their data.  While that’s clear, the business […]

< + > Syllable Raises $40 Million Series C Led by TCV to Improve the Patient Experience with Intelligent Voice Solutions for Health System Call Centers and Medical Practices

AI-enabled healthcare automation leader Syllable today announced a $40 Million Series C funding round to further improve the patient experience with intelligent voice solutions for health system call centers and medical practice offices. Funding was led by growth equity firm TCV with participation from existing investors Oak HC/FT, Section32, and Verily and will be used to further […]

< + > Telehealth can play a vital role in reducing carbon emissions

Researchers from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found that telehealth appointments saved 2.2 million gallons of gas for patients since the start of the pandemic.

< + > Far-Ultraviolet Light Is Another Way To Keep Our Public Spaces Safe

For some time now, it’s been established that the primary root of SARS-CoV-2 transmission is airborne. Here we describe work that shows, in addition to ventilation and filtration, how Far-UVC light inactivates the virus in a way that is harmless to us.

< + > Asthma Medication Points The Way To Drugs To Prevent And Treat Covid-19: Nsp1, A Novel Target

Montelukast, an asthma drug, can bind to and block a crucial SARS-CoV-2 protein. This discovery sets the stage for a new class of antiviral drugs, designed to target and interfere with the virus' immunosuppressive tactics.

< + > How UCHealth's Virtual Health Center has enabled innovation, scaled capability and capacity

The telehealth and RPM use cases the Colorado health system had been prioritizing prior to the pandemic shifted gears when it was forced to fast-track many of its initiatives in a more controlled approach.

< + > Walmart launches telehealth program aimed at diabetes

The initiative was developed for employers and payers to help workers and members improve management of the disease.

< + > Health Equity and Health Disparities with Scott Afzal

One of the glaring problems that’s appeared much more clearly in healthcare the past couple years is health equity and health disparities.  It’s a multi-faceted problem that’s not going to be solved over night.  In many ways, it’s engrained in many parts of our system.  To address it is going to take a consistent effort […]

< + > CMS’s Decision To Restrict Coverage Of Aduhelm Very Unlikely To Impact Other Accelerated Approvals

One could argue that CMS is restricting coverage of a particular instance of an accelerated approval and a set of potential approvals for a narrowly defined sub-class of beta amyloid-directed monoclonal antibodies. And this particular decision has no universal implications outside of this sub-class.

< + > Health Insurance With Customized Coverage And Lower Costs? Burnham Benefits Shapes Innovative Plans For Like-Minded Businesses

With a community-minded and women-led workplace, Burnham Benefits helps businesses partner with like-minded companies and reduce their financial risk. One of its new health insurance products, B Healthy, is designed to value worker well-being while keeping an eye on costs.

< + > Dr. Oz Wants To Be A Senator. Here’s A Look Back At One Of His Failed Attempts To Do Science

This week, Columbia University finally cut its ties with Dr. Mehmet Oz, who is running for a seat in the U.S. Senate. Here's a look back at Oz's infamous, on-air green coffee bean experiment.

< + > Tungs' Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital in Taiwan latest to achieve Stage 6 EMRAM

The hospital is also gearing up to reach the highest stage for the model in the near future.

< + > Do 2 ‘Studies’ Suggest Hepatitis Linked To Covid-19 Vaccines? Here’s What They Really Say

Look closer at the "studies" being mentioned and shared on social media accounts.

< + > Ex-Trump Advisor Birx Warns Of Summer Covid ‘Surge’

The U.S. should prepare for a Covid-19 infection surge across the south, former Trump Administration Covid-19 adviser Dr. Deborah Birx told Face the Nation Sunday.

< + > Eli Lilly’s Weight Loss Drug, Tirzepatide, Shows Promising Phase 3 Results: If Approved, Next Hurdle Would Be Reimbursement

Eli Lilly’s weight loss drug, tirzepatide, showed substantial potential in a large Phase 3 study, the results of which were reported on April 28th. If tirzepatide gets approved, it could become a blockbuster. But, this isn’t a sure thing. It will have to overcome pricing and reimbursement obstacles.