More than 100,000 people were removed from hospital waiting lists last year without receiving treatment, according to data analysis by the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA). The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) validation process was responsible for the removals, which involved hospital administration contacting patients on waiting lists to ensure they still required treatment. The…
Holly Maloney, managing director at General Catalyst, emphasizes the need for digital health stakeholders to focus on improving care access, outcomes, cost, and workforce retention. She discusses the potential for AI to assist with the administrative burden in healthcare and drive truly personalized solutions. Maloney also anticipates continued healthy funding at early stages in 2024,…
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Researchers found that almost one in five patients diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) using the 2020 definition would not be diagnosed using the updated 2023 definition. The syndrome is associated with SARS-CoV-2 and usually occurs 2 to 6 weeks after a child is infected. The new definition no longer requires the presence…
The FDA approved a CRISPR-based therapy for beta thalassemia, an inherited blood disorder. The treatment, called Casgevy and developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals and CRISPR Therapeutics, was expected to be approved and was ahead of the FDA’s deadline. This approval expands the use of the same therapy that was approved for sickle cell disease in December….
A study conducted in the United Kingdom revealed that over 7000 cases of hospital admission or death due to Covid-19 could have been avoided during a single wave of the pandemic if everyone had received the recommended number of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination doses. Researchers used individual level health data to analyze undervaccination across the UK and…
The research at the Leibniz Institute has shown that human killer T cells, as well as destroying damaged or infected cells, can support tissue regeneration via the secretion of growth factors and immune messengers. This effect can also promote tumor growth. The results indicate a potential to promote wound closure and tissue functionality restoration, but…
Study found that a significant percentage of the UK population was not vaccinated or boosted against COVID-19 by summer 2022, leading to thousands of hospitalizations and deaths that could have been prevented with better vaccine coverage. The research, published in The Lancet, analyzed anonymized health data and found that one third to half of the…
Pembrolizumab, also known as Keytruda, has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of stage 3-4a cervical cancer in combination with chemoradiation therapy. This marks the 40th indication for the drug, which has been used to treat 19 different types of cancer. The approval was based on a trial showing that patients receiving pembrolizumab…
A new study has found that people who use the drug phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5i) for erectile dysfunction along with nitrates, a medication for chest pain, are at higher risk of early death. Erectile dysfunction is a common condition in middle-aged and older men due to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other factors. The study evaluated…
The use of suction drains in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is linked to higher blood loss and the need for transfusions. This finding suggests that the use of suction drains may not provide significant benefits in TKA procedures and may actually pose potential risks. It is important for medical professionals to consider the implications…
The No Surprises Act and Consolidated Appropriations Act have led to significant operational and transparency changes for payers. Provider network operations are now under pressure due to regulations, labor challenges, and inaccuracies in databases, affecting patient access to care and satisfaction levels. Health plans are rethinking their provider network operations and seeking management tools to…
More than 1,500 Irish consultants, representing 35% of the consultant workforce, have signed the new public-only Sláintecare contract. This includes 306 new consultants and 1,242 who switched from previous contracts. The top three specialties choosing the new contract are general medicine, anaesthetics, and surgery. This contract means consultants will only treat public patients in public…
Donald Trump has promised to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, even though his administration failed to pass a replacement plan in 2017. Despite never presenting his own Obamacare replacement, Trump’s administration accomplished some health care policy changes that remain in place today. His administration’s “Operation Warp Speed” also created a covid-19 vaccine in…
Nick Ruth, MBA, of Sydnexis, provides an update on SYD-101, a treatment for progressive myopia in pediatric patients, at Hawaiian Eye 2024. The company plans to release data for the eye drop in the second quarter of 2024. Ruth also discusses the involvement of big technology companies in pediatric myopia treatment and the positive direction…
Share your new hires, promotions, and other changes with us and we’ll help spread the news. This week, ROME Therapeutics hired Heike Keilhack as their new chief scientific officer. Prior to this, she held the same position at Ribon Therapeutics. Don’t forget to take some time for fun too! For the full story, visit STAT+….
In a piece for an election year, Michael Marmot, director of the UCL Institute of Health Equity, writes about the importance of hope and taking action to create a fairer, healthier society. He stresses the need for politicians to inspire hope by addressing the growing health inequalities and improving the population’s health. Marmot emphasizes that…
A new study indicates that cannabis does not have a significant effect on the treatment of opioid addiction among individuals receiving treatment for opioid use disorder. The study suggests that cannabis does not hinder or help the treatment of opioid use disorder. It challenges the requirement in some U.S. treatment programs that patients need to…
Parenting a child with any health condition is challenging, but it’s important for parents to also prioritize their own well-being. Tips for taking care of yourself while caring for a child with central precocious puberty (CPP) include allowing yourself time to process the diagnosis, leaning on your doctor for information, acknowledging and processing your emotions…
A recent study observed that variations in free T3 levels are associated with socioeconomic factors, aging, and mortality in adults with normal thyroid function. TSH and T4 are typically used to assess thyroid function, but the study suggests that directly measuring T3 is important for better stratifying the effects of variations in the HPT-axis. The…
Navigating the world of teeth whitening kits can be overwhelming, with many options to choose from. While VieBeauti is a popular brand, there are other alternatives available. To help make the decision easier, a detailed analysis of the best teeth whitening kits for 2024 has been curated, including three VieBeauti alternatives. The top five kits…
A study has shown that Linaclotide, a medication commonly used to treat constipation in adults, has been effective in treating pediatric constipation as well. The study involved over 300 children with chronic constipation, and the results showed that those who received Linaclotide experienced improved bowel movements and relief from symptoms compared to those who received…
Dyne Therapeutics announced proof-of-concept clinical data for genetic medicines to treat rare muscle diseases at the start of the year. The company raised $345 million in a stock offering, with plans to use the funds for clinical development of two clinical-stage programs, DYNE-101 and DYNE-251, both aimed at rare muscle diseases. The company’s DM1 therapy…
Professor Geraldine McCarthy is a Consultant Rheumatologist at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin and Professor of Medicine at University College Dublin. She has led studies into the biological effects of calcium-containing crystals in degenerative joint disease, atherosclerosis, and breast cancer, and has received funding for her research from institutions on both sides of…
CEO Kevin Stansbury of the 64-year-old Lincoln Community Hospital in Hugo, Colorado, is facing a financial dilemma. The hospital needs to expand to offer hip replacements and shoulder surgeries, but a lack of funds and access to loans make it difficult. High costs and low payments from insurance make it challenging for small rural hospitals…
Dr. Roger A. Dailey discussed at Hawaiian Eye 2024 that the world of melanoma has undergone significant changes in recent years, with more changes to come. The increase in melanoma cases is likely due to increased awareness and diagnosis. Policy changes in the U.S. have aimed at prevention, and more than 20 states have banned…
A new bill has been introduced in Congress to lower the cost of medicines by making it harder for pharmaceutical companies to use numerous patents to prevent generic competition. This legislation addresses patent thickets, a tactic used by drug companies to obtain numerous patents to protect their monopoly. The controversy has grown as brand-name companies…
The author addresses party leaders, expressing deep concern about declining health and widening health inequalities in the UK. They emphasize that the causes of ill health lie in social and economic conditions and highlight the negative impact of austerity and funding cuts. The author emphasizes the need for a national health inequalities strategy, the appointment…
A study conducted by researchers from Cornell and the University of Toronto found that openly gay, bisexual, and other sexual minority men were more likely than those who conceal their orientation to seek care during a global mpox outbreak. However, the study suggests that it wasn’t hiding their sexual orientation that kept some men from…
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association evaluated the association between declines in blood lead levels and changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in adult American Indian participants of the Strong Heart Family Study (SHFS). The study focused on the impact of low-level lead exposure on cardiovascular health, examining…
Puberty can be a challenging time for kids, and even more so for those with central precocious puberty (CPP), which causes early signs of sexual maturity. Those with CPP, more common in girls, may develop years earlier than their peers, setting them apart emotionally and physically. Bullying and teasing is common, as well as increased…
A study found that about 20% of US physicians took less than one week of vacation in the previous year, and 70% reported working on days off to handle patient-related tasks. Burnout was more likely among doctors who worked more during vacations and lacked coverage for electronic health messages. The study suggested physicians need more…
A new study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology has found that tomato consumption is associated with a reduced risk of developing high blood pressure. The study observed 7,056 participants and found that those with higher tomato intake experienced a noticeable reduction in blood pressure, particularly those with stage 1 hypertension. Researchers believe…
Six government hospitals are being investigated by the Vigilance department for alleged irregularities in medical supplies. The investigation is looking into potential misuse of funds and improper procurement practices. The hospitals are under scrutiny for potential corruption and mismanagement. The Vigilance department is seeking to uncover any fraudulent activities that may have affected the quality…
The J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco brought together healthcare leaders for discussions and networking, with Mayo Clinic partnering with Cerebras Systems for AI models, Boston Scientific acquiring Axonics for $3.7 billion, Amazon launching a program for digital health benefits, Johnson & Johnson buying Ambrx for $2 billion, Abbott integrating FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus…
The Altnagelvin Area Hospital in Londonderry is hiring for a position with a salary range of £88,799 – £119,723 per annum. The closing date for applications is Friday 9 February 2024 at 3:30pm. Interested candidates can find the full job description, criteria, and application form on jobs.hscni.net and apply online. A waiting list may be…
The Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies at the National University of Singapore developed a mobile parenting app called the Supportive Parenting app. The app provides information and tips on parenting, baby care, and mental health for mothers dealing with postpartum depression. A study found that the app helped reduce symptoms of depression in mothers…
Nikki Haley, a Republican presidential hopeful and former South Carolina governor, will wait to see how her campaign is received after the Iowa caucuses. She spoke on health care policies while governor, criticizing some of former President Biden’s policies. Haley has also taken positions on Medicare, Social Security, and health equity. Her tenure saw an…
Health care law trends in 2023 included a focus on telehealth, whistleblowers, physician referrals, and provider compliance. Over 95% of False Claims Act cases result from whistleblowers, and the Department of Justice reported $485 million in False Claims Act settlements from January to June 2023. The Office of the Inspector General focused on areas such…
At the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, hospital leaders focused on showcasing the billions of dollars they have in cash and investment reserves, a message that contrasts their plea for more funding to Congress. Nonprofit health systems are trying to appeal to investors by highlighting their financial strength and resilience. Jefferson Health’s CFO expressed gratitude to…
Dai Davies was a rugby captain at medical school and later served as a medical officer with the Royal Air Force in Egypt. He worked as a senior lecturer and consultant anaesthetist at Hammersmith Hospital and St George’s. Source link
A study in Heart Rhythm reports a connection between antipsychotic drugs quetiapine and haloperidol and an increased risk of serious cardiac conditions such as ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. The use of these medications is common, so health care professionals and patients need to be aware of these cardiac risks and implement appropriate monitoring…
Researchers evaluated mRNA vaccines’ effectiveness among adolescents in Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark. The study focused on Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, as well as combining these vaccines. They found that vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 hospitalization was high, ranging from 73% to 86% at six months. This effectiveness remained consistent at extended follow-up to one year…
Advances in the treatment of bipolar disorder over the past 20 years include the development of new medications with fewer side effects. Lithium, while effective, has risks such as kidney and thyroid disease, leading to doctors prescribing lower doses. Anticonvulsant medications and second-generation antipsychotics, with fewer side effects, are also being used more frequently. Long-acting…
Maternal mortality rates in the UK have reached levels not seen since 2003-2005, according to a study by MBRRACE-UK. The maternal death rate in 2020-2022 was 13.41 deaths per 100,000 maternities, compared to 8.79 in 2017-2019. Thrombosis and thromboembolism were the leading causes of maternal death, followed by COVID-19, suicide, and sepsis. The report also…
A new male contraceptive technique called ADAM has shown positive results in a trial, offering long-lasting effects and reversibility similar to IUDs in women. Developed by Contraline, the hydrogel insert can reduce sperm motility and concentration like a vasectomy but is fully reversible. The trial involved 23 healthy men, with a 100% success rate in…
Exposure to residential green space in early life may lead to improved bone health in children, according to a study. The study found that access to green spaces such as parks and gardens was linked to higher levels of physical activity and vitamin D exposure, both of which contribute to bone health. The findings suggest…
New research has found racial disparities in access to obesity care services, including behavioral care and surgical interventions. The study, sponsored by Enara Health, found that people of color have less access to these services compared to their White counterparts, leading to lesser improvements in weight loss and related health conditions. The study also highlighted…
Irish researchers have made a discovery about von Willebrand disease (VWD) that could reduce the risk of complications during surgery and childbirth. VWD is an inherited bleeding disorder that affects blood clotting and impacts approximately one per cent of people worldwide. The researchers found that the age at which individuals are tested for VWD has…
Noom, a digital weight loss company, has partnered with a pharmacy benefit manager, Liviniti, to offer a digital GLP-1 Companion for chronic weight conditions to plan sponsors and their employees. The GLP-1 Companion integrates with PBM processes, offering nutrition guidance and fitness-focused lessons to help those taking GLP-1 medications. Noom aims to support lasting habits…