Articles tagged with Health Care Delivery
A new study reveals that Surgical Site Infection (SSI) is a major financial burden on health services in LMICs, with patients experiencing higher costs for postoperative care. Investing in health technologies to reduce SSI could help improve healthcare quality and save lives.
A new study suggests that increasing induced labor rates in UK maternity services without considering staffing workloads and patient care may have unintended consequences. The study highlights gaps in knowledge on home-based IOL services, with workload perceived to be increased in some cases.
Research highlights challenges in scalability and sustainability of stroke care quality improvement efforts, with multifaceted patient needs requiring multidisciplinary teams. The study identifies five key gaps in stroke quality improvement research, emphasizing the need for policy evaluation and comparison of hospital performance data.
A new study found an initial decline in diabetes mellitus plus cardiovascular disease-related mortality, but it reversed from 2014 to 2019. The researchers emphasized the need for primary prevention of diabetes and early diagnosis to prevent cardiovascular complications and mortality.
This article analyzes changes to China's COVID-19 protocol over 3 years, highlighting the evolving scientific evidence that informed these changes. The study demonstrates an evidence-based approach to refining diagnosis, treatment, and care protocols, effectively combating the challenges of COVID-19.
Researchers developed a 'Skeletal Age' metric to assess impact of fractures on mortality, revealing a loss of one to seven years of life depending on gender, age, and bone site. The online calculator measures bone fragility to help doctors and patients understand fracture risks.
A Cochrane review found that individual-level stress management interventions, such as cognitive behavioral training and exercise, can reduce stress in healthcare workers for up to a year. The long-term effects of these interventions remain unknown, highlighting the need for further research.
The new Winship Cancer Institute at Emory Midtown offers a unique patient-centered, multidisciplinary cancer care model integrated with innovative research. The $200 million gift from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation enabled the construction of a state-of-the-art facility featuring five 'care communities' and 80 inpatient beds.
A systematic review found that VA surgical care is as good as, or better than, non-VA care for many operations. VA's National Surgical Quality Improvement Program has helped track millions of surgical cases and improve outcomes, including reduced postoperative mortality and morbidity rates.
Hospitals affected by ransomware may see increased patient loads and resource strain, impacting time-sensitive care for acute stroke patients. Targeted cyberattacks can have regional disaster implications on healthcare delivery.
A large-scale study of patient experiences with telemedicine and in-person visits found that telemedicine consistently outperformed in-person visits in terms of access to care and provider engagement. The study analyzed survey responses from over 39,000 patients across more than 50,000 visits.
The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) has awarded AGS Fellowship to 16 members who demonstrate exceptional dedication to the field of geriatrics. These individuals will be recognized at the 2023 AGS Annual Scientific Meeting, which brings together over 2,500 healthcare professionals to advance geriatrics knowledge and skills.
A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that ChatGPT's responses were preferred by a panel of licensed healthcare professionals 79% of the time. The AI model was also rated higher in terms of quality and empathy, with good or very good quality responses being 3.6 times higher for ChatGPT than physicians.
Dr. Alan Lazaroff, MD, AGSF, is honored by the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) for his commitment to improving geriatric care and payment systems. He has been a key contributor to the development of new codes for transitional care management and chronic care management, among other initiatives.
Dr. Shelley McDonald is a national champion for improved perioperative care of older adults undergoing surgery, with a focus on person-centered care and a team-based approach. She has implemented successful programs like POSH, which aims to address non-medical factors influencing health outcomes.
A new study comparing outcomes between Ontario and New York State found patients in Ontario more likely to die within a month of procedure due to inadequate availability and long wait times. The study suggests that improved access to TAVR may lead to better post-procedural outcomes.
The US military medical system is not ready to handle major conflicts with near-peer adversaries, who possess similar military capabilities. Prolonged field care training and strong patient data are crucial to address the challenges of evacuating wounded soldiers and providing specialized surgical care.
The University of Huddersfield is offering two bespoke apprenticeship programmes for health and social care leaders, tailored to their needs. The programmes will last 13 months and are fully funded by the Apprenticeship Levy.
The study reveals COVID-19 worsened existing inequities in food security and rental struggles based on race and ethnicity and maternal origins. Equity-focused policy changes are necessary to ensure all US children and families can afford basic needs for optimal health.
Dae Kim, MD, MPH, ScD, will receive the 2023 Thomas and Catherine Yoshikawa Outstanding Scientific Achievement in Clinical Investigation Award for his work on frailty research. His contributions have significantly impacted clinical care, particularly in primary care groups using the claims-based frailty index to risk stratify patients.
Researchers developed a dual-modality imaging technique combining photoacoustic and super-resolution ultrasound imaging to detect physiological and biochemical abnormalities. The new method provides comprehensive diagnostic information at a lower cost than traditional techniques.
A new study found that quality of heart failure care is equitable for 11 of 14 evidence-based clinical care measures, with no disparities in care between Black and white patients. However, the study highlights areas for improvement, including gaps in care quality and social determinants of health.
A recent Mayo Clinic study found that prescription opioid use is associated with declines in cognitive performance, particularly in memory and attention. Older adults who received at least one opioid prescription over 7.5 years had a 20% higher chance of developing mild cognitive impairment.
Dr. Kathryn Denson is recognized for her lasting innovation and exceptional teaching expertise, developing innovative approaches to educating the healthcare workforce. She has disseminated these approaches widely through publications and presentations, creating an internationally accessed online resource.
The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) has published a statement addressing factors that contribute to bias in clinical genetic testing. The statement highlights three main areas: environmental, clinical, and technical biases, which affect health equity for individuals from historically marginalized populations.
Dr. Debra Saliba will deliver the Henderson State-of-the-Art Lecture at AGS23, focusing on improving care for frail older adults by targeting their needs and goals. Dr. Saliba has over 25 years of experience leading geriatrics research across the continuum of care.
A nationwide study found that more experienced resident physicians are at risk of medical errors when working extended-duration shifts or long weekly hours, similar to first-year residents. The study calls for policy changes to limit work hours and extend safer training periods in the US.
Medical University of South Carolina researchers streamlined kidney transplant evaluations to increase access for African Americans. They used telehealth and partnerships with local providers to help patients complete the evaluation process, resulting in higher numbers of African Americans beginning and completing the evaluation.
A survey study of 9,400 adults found that those with post-COVID-19 condition were more likely to forgo needed healthcare due to cost and access challenges. The study suggests developing clinical protocols and addressing insurance-related barriers can improve healthcare access for these individuals
A new international study has revealed significant potential for digital technology to improve asthma control for patients. The study found that combining information from a digital device in a digital platform led to improved medication adherence and reduced healthcare costs.
Researchers found decreased lung injury, coughing up blood, and mortality rates after balloon pulmonary angioplasty between 2013 and 2022. The minimally invasive procedure is now considered a safer option for inoperable CTEPH patients.
A recent study found that hospitals serving more vulnerable childbearing populations tend to have inadequate nurse staffing levels, which can lead to poor maternal health outcomes. The researchers surveyed 3,471 registered nurses from 271 hospitals and discovered inconsistencies in nurse-to-patient ratios with national staffing standards.
A national survey by Brigham researchers identified high levels of burnout, intent to leave the profession, and work overload among healthcare workers. Burnout was most prevalent among nurses (56%) and other clinical staff (54.1%), with 41% of nurses reporting intent to leave.
A study found racial and ethnic differences in insurance coverage after job loss during COVID-19. Newly unemployed Black and Hispanic adults saw no increase in Medicaid coverage, unlike their white peers.
The American Thoracic Society has issued a statement recommending the elimination of race and ethnicity in the interpretation of pulmonary function test (PFT) results. The new approach uses an average reference equation, which shows superiority over race-specific equations for assessing overall prognosis and impact of tobacco smoke exp...
Research finds that comprehensive care services delivered by Canadian family physicians have decreased over 20 years, with no difference in decline between early-career and experienced physicians. This suggests that factors other than training or interest are driving the decrease.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly declined tobacco assessment rates in community health centers between March and May 2020. Assessments remained 33.5% lower than pre-pandemic levels, highlighting the need for adapted procedures to support tobacco cessation efforts.
Researchers investigated perspectives of Black patients on shared decision making (SDM) during medical appointments. They identified preferences for humanistic communication, the need for doctors to account for family members' roles in decision-making, and a growing mistrust in doctors. The study's findings offer insights for adapting ...
The HOPE Note Toolkit is being adopted by primary care clinics in the US to improve whole person integrative health visits. The toolkit assesses patients' physical, environmental, lifestyle, social, emotional, mental, and spiritual experiences with healthcare teams.
A primary care program promoting health in older adults was successfully implemented but lacked significant clinical benefits. The Health Teams Advancing Patient Experience: Strengthening Quality (TAPESTRY) trial found no impact on hospitalizations or physical activity, despite positive effects in a previous study.
A recent study of 95,000 U.S. physicians found that female physicians work significantly fewer hours than their male counterparts, resulting in a substantial earnings penalty. This disparity is attributed to societal and institutional barriers that discourage women from working long hours.
A US analysis of perinatal care found that discretionary care varied by patient race, with Non-Hispanic Black women being 20% less likely to receive a prenatal depression screen and 60% more likely to have a urine drug test when denying drug use. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Asian women were also less likely to receive similar tests.
A real-world analysis found that high-risk Americans who fail to reach guideline-recommended LDL-C levels experience a 44% higher rate of cardiovascular events. The study, presented at the AMCP Conference, used data from over 300 million Americans and compared those who met and maintained recommended targets with those who did not.
A recent survey found that patients overwhelmingly support receiving test results immediately, even if their provider has not yet reviewed them. Most respondents (90%) preferred receiving results through the patient portal as soon as they were available, and nearly all (96%) indicated a preference for timely release.
A systematic review of 156 trials found that physical exercise improved motor symptoms and quality of life in people with Parkinson's Disease. Most types of structured exercise, including dance, water-based exercise, and endurance training, showed clinically meaningful benefits.
A study by Texas A&M University researchers found that state policies improving data protection led to increased adoption of health information exchanges (HIEs) and health IT usage. States with favorable legal environments for HIEs saw a rise in HIE adoption, while those with restrictive laws experienced limited growth.
A remote hypertension program, operated by Mass General Brigham, successfully supported patients through the COVID-19 pandemic in achieving their blood pressure goals. Participants who enrolled during the pandemic reached and maintained their goal blood pressures an average of two months earlier than in the pre-pandemic period.
A systematic review of 33 randomized controlled trials found that yoga improved gait speed and lower extremity strength in inactive older people. However, it did not offer a benefit for frailty markers compared to exercise or tai chi.
A population data linkage study found fewer people in Wales diagnosed with long-term conditions in 2020 and 2021 than expected, indicating a potential backlog of undiagnosed patients. This disparity affects chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and anxiety disorders, corresponding to over 30 and 80 missing diagnoses respectively.
A survey of over 1000 patients found that two thirds prefer a urologist of their own gender, but in certain situations, both men and women choose a female doctor. Patients with painful conditions are more likely to opt for a female urologist.
A study found that telemedicine visits did not adversely affect the quality of care for patients with major depression, and even improved some aspects of care. The transition to virtual visits also led to increased adherence to measurement-based care practices.
A Cochrane review found that eliminating hazards around the home, such as clutter and poor lighting, can reduce the risk of falls for older people by around a quarter. Decluttering and reducing hazards had the most benefit for those at high risk of falls.
Dr. Natasha Kekre, a University of Ottawa associate professor and hematologist, has secured millions in funding and published numerous peer-reviewed papers on CAR-T cellular therapies for cancer treatment. Her work has advanced the immunotherapy field in Canada and made her an expert in cancer immunotherapies.
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has selected Cleveland Clinic for a nationwide initiative to improve how healthcare systems translate research findings to clinical practice. The initiative aims to reduce the time it takes to move discovery in research to new treatments, with an estimated lag of 17 years.
High-dose anticoagulation reduces intubations and deaths by 30% in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, especially those with ARDS. The study found a significant reduction in mortality and need for ICU care among patients treated with therapeutic anticoagulation.
A new study shows that transcatheter mitral valve repair significantly reduces hospitalizations by almost 50 percent and death by nearly 30 percent in heart failure patients with severe mitral regurgitation. The procedure, using Abbott's MitraClip system, improves symptoms, reduces hospitalizations, and leads to longer survival.
A study published in the American Journal of Critical Care found that a single trained observer serving as a checklist prompter can accurately assess whether multidisciplinary rounds addressed key elements of the ABCDEF bundle. This approach enables customized, shorter checklists to streamline workflows and improve patient care.
The NCCN Annual Conference will debut a new hybrid format featuring in-person events at a new venue, allowing for hallway conversations and networking opportunities. The conference will also showcase more than 100 abstract poster presentations on various oncology-related categories.
A school-based wellness initiative led by MUSC's Boeing Center for Children's Wellness has been shown to reduce the average student BMI over time. The program, which targets policy, systems and environmental change, uses evidence-based strategies such as physical activity, nutrition and social-emotional wellness.
This special supplement from Annals of Family Medicine highlights the work of six HRSA-funded academic units focused on advancing health care equity and improving primary care practices. The articles cover topics such as workforce training, mental health care seeking, socioeconomic issues, and whole-person oriented healthcare.