Research on how health care reaches patients. Covers online screening programs, care delays, regional cardiology, and surgical treatment access.
A significant increase in household food insufficiency was observed among lower-income households following the discontinuation of child tax credit payments. The lowest-income households experienced the greatest increase, highlighting the vulnerability of these families to changes in government support.
The NHS faces exceptional workforce issues due to Brexit and junior doctors' contract disputes, leading to a need for more international medical graduates. A proposed scheme to increase the cap on Tier 5 visas could help address these shortages and bring valuable expertise from countries like India and Nigeria.
This cross-sectional study investigated emergency department clinicians' concerns about medical errors resulting in either patient harm or malpractice litigation. The findings highlight the emotional toll of these errors on clinicians, including feelings of guilt, anxiety, and burnout.
Experts warn that poorly functioning IT systems are a clear and present threat to patient safety, resulting from inadequate investment and lack of prioritization. The British Medical Association estimates that 27% of clinicians lose over four hours a week due to inefficient IT systems, highlighting the need for urgent improvement.
The Mass General Brigham remote healthcare delivery program lowered blood pressure and LDL-cholesterol significantly in a study of over 10,000 participants. The program provided convenient care from home using digital solutions, improving health outcomes for traditionally underserved populations.
A remote hypertension, lipid program across a diverse health care network found that it may help optimize guideline-directed therapy at scale. The study results indicate a potential reduction in cardiovascular risk among patients with elevated blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Researchers from West Health push for elevating telehealth standards to ensure remote care meets the needs of older adults, including person-centered and equitable access. The authors propose a framework with guard rails to prevent low-value care and health inequities, while improving access to high-quality, timely, and convenient care.
The study found that the willingness to use video telehealth increased overall from 51% in February 2019 to 62% in March 2021. Subgroups with the lowest levels of willingness, such as Black adults and adults with less than a high school education, saw significant increases in their willingness to use video telehealth.
The University of Tsukuba researchers developed a machine-learning model to predict undertriage in phone-based triage systems. The model identified risk factors such as age, sex, and comorbid conditions, which can be used to update protocols and improve patient outcomes.
A new study has shown that bivalirudin is a safer and more effective anticoagulant than heparin for treating heart attack patients. The trial found that bivalirudin significantly reduced death, major bleeding, and thrombosis in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.
Research highlights the significant role emergency departments play in end-of-life care, with nearly one-third of decedents visiting the ED just before death. The study's findings emphasize the need for emergency medicine practitioners to identify patients in need of end-of-life care and provide necessary resources.
A global study provides actionable recommendations to combat COVID-19 without exacerbating socio-economic burdens. The report identifies six major areas for action, including whole-of-society strategies and vaccine-plus approaches.
Researchers found that changing gloves and instruments just before closing wounds can prevent as many as 1 in 8 cases of Surgical Site Infection. A new toolkit also helps hospitals prepare for pandemics, heatwaves, and natural disasters.
The $2.4 million grant will provide direct training for new community health workers in Lubbock and throughout the state through registered apprenticeship programs and job placements. The program aims to increase access to healthcare and address public health needs for underserved communities.
FAU's nurse-led mobile health unit will provide technology-assisted, culturally aligned health promotion, disease prevention, and primary care services in underserved communities. The project targets high-risk populations with limited access to healthcare.
A recent study found that immigrant pregnant people faced persistent inequities in obtaining timely prenatal care compared to native-born individuals, exacerbating longstanding health disadvantages. The study highlights the need for policymakers to address disparities in Medicaid coverage based on immigration status and education level.
The American Heart Association is launching a two-year initiative to expand and enhance post-acute stroke care across Montana, Nebraska, and North Dakota. The project aims to maximize recovery of function lost during a stroke, reduce risk of secondary effects, and extend high-quality guideline-directed care for all patients.
The NIHR Global Health Research Centre will collaborate with communities across Latin America to develop low-cost solutions for improving healthcare for non-communicable diseases. The centre aims to strengthen research capacity and provide formal training for local researchers and clinicians.
Rural and critical access hospitals are inadequately addressing social determinants of health due to limited resources, workforce constraints, and lack of incentives. Hospitals are not utilizing community partnerships effectively, which may be attributed to institutional partnerships and lack of incentives.
A study by researchers at ICES, Lawson Health Research Institute, and Western University found that virtual care during the pandemic led to significant environmental and patient cost savings. Virtual visits represented approximately 0.2% of total annual carbon dioxide emissions in Ontario and estimated $63 million in patient cost savings.
The American Geriatrics Society has released a framework for understanding the intersection of structural racism and ageism in healthcare. The framework highlights three fundamental changes: reflecting the population served, changing training and support for health professionals, and examining healthcare from an intersectional perspect...
A cross-sectional study of 291 primary care physicians found a significant positive relationship between EHR time and certain ambulatory quality measures. Increased EHR time was associated with improved panel-wide hemoglobin A1C level control, hypertension control, and breast cancer screening.
The editorial urges wealthy nations to step up support for Africa and vulnerable countries in addressing past, present, and future impacts of climate change. The climate crisis has destroyed a fifth of the GDP of the most vulnerable countries.
A study by the Radiological Society of North America found that health insurance companies often pay more than necessary for radiology services, leading to higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs. The study also suggests that radiologists can play a key role in delivering high-quality, low-cost care to patients.
A study on long COVID found increased rates of healthcare use two months after SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly among women. The largest increase was seen in a small subset of patients, who required an extra week or more in hospital compared to uninfected individuals.
A new study by UCL researchers found that talking therapies on the NHS can improve the mental health of people with dementia, with 63% experiencing a reduction in symptoms. The therapy proved clinically beneficial, even though response rates were lower than those without dementia.
A new American Heart Association scientific statement emphasizes the importance of managing PAD based on a person's experience of symptoms, rather than relying solely on clinical measures. This approach aims to improve patient-centered care and outcomes, particularly for individuals with severe limb ischemia or comorbidities.
The initiative vaccinated a significantly higher rate of young people, non-white populations, and Hispanic people than the average for the state and target communities. The program used a 'double equity' model to engage with local transportation companies and administered over 20,000 COVID-19 vaccination doses.
A new report from a joint task force recommends improved access to interventional radiologists in small and rural areas. The task force focused on strategies for recruitment and retention, including training opportunities, financial models, and community development.
Scientists explore the dynamics of soft materials like toothpaste and hair gel using X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS). The technique reveals microscopic dynamics and helps understand properties like viscosity and elasticity. Insights gained can aid in designing consumer products, nanotechnologies, and drug delivery systems.
The program cuts the average time it took for new patients to get their first treatment from 97 days to just 41 days, while also allowing more than 1,000 new patients to begin treatments. The system has made significant improvements in efficiency and patient satisfaction, with appointment no-shows dropping by 50%.
A large Kaiser Permanente study found that most patients with a thoracic aortic aneurysm less than 5.5 cm are not at high risk of experiencing dissection or requiring surgery. The study's findings support the current consensus guidelines recommending surgery for patients with larger aneurysms.
Researchers found significant regional differences in LTC spending, driven by factors such as population demographics and disability classification. Preventive measures may help reduce costs by reducing the need for long-term care.
A new study found that younger women hospitalized with heart attacks had a significantly higher prevalence of cardiac risk factors and comorbidities compared to younger men. This led to higher rehospitalization rates and all-cause readmission rates, emphasizing the need for ongoing efforts to improve prevention strategies.
Researchers found elevated traumatic brain injury biomarkers in football players in skill positions, including quarterbacks, wide receivers, and defensive backs. The study suggests that head impact magnitude, not frequency, causes the greatest elevations in TBI biomarkers.
New research from the University of Kansas found that two common federal survey question sets are missing significant numbers of individuals with psychiatric disabilities and chronic health conditions. The study suggests that these gaps indicate undercounting of disability funds, services, and healthcare resources.
Women with severe preeclampsia treated with extended-release nifedipine during labor and delivery had lower rates of dangerously high blood pressure, reducing the need for IV treatment. This study contributes to optimal management of hypertension during pregnancy and delivery.
A national US kidney disease registry found that 60% of participants were unaware of their kidney function level, hindering clinical trial recruitment. The National Kidney Foundation Patient Network aims to address this issue through real-world data collection and patient-centered research.
The Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS) has awarded $100,000 grants to 11 specialty societies to promote diagnostic excellence. The American Thoracic Society is one of the recipients, focusing on safety and equity at ICU discharge.
A Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study found that hundreds of hospitals on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts are at risk of flooding from Category 1-4 storms, with sea level rise expected to increase this risk by 22% this century. The study highlights the need for coastal hospitals to prepare for greater risks in the future.
A new study from Kaiser Permanente found that pregnant women with gestational diabetes who achieve rapid glucose control have better birth outcomes. The research analyzed data from over 26,000 patients and identified four trajectories of glucose control, with those starting out with optimal levels and maintaining it having the best res...
Anemia is common among adults with advanced kidney disease, associated with adverse outcomes and low eGFR levels. Effective iron supplementation is a low-risk intervention to address this issue, emphasizing the need for increased testing and treatment.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that the Emergency Critical Care Center within an emergency department improved patient survival rates without increasing costs. The ED-ICU model reduced total direct cost per encounter by 22.1% for critically ill patients, likely due to early, coordinated critical care.
A quality improvement project implemented by primary care providers increased the use of telehealth consultations among military veterans experiencing homelessness. The proportion of video visits doubled from 4.8% to 10.3% over 16 weeks, continuing to rise during the following month.
Research from the University of Exeter found that farmers and auction operators believed putting health hubs in livestock marts helped break down barriers to seeking support. The study also revealed that stoicism, fear of being judged, and lack of availability were significant deterrents for farmers.
Tax-exempt hospitals in the US have largely improved their charity care policies since the onset of COVID-19, with clearer eligibility criteria being implemented. However, regulatory attention is needed to address ongoing restrictions and issues with charity care.
A novel study in Virginia uses state all-payer claims data to accurately assess and predict future primary care workforce needs. The approach differentiates physicians with primary care training from those who practice true primary care, providing a more accurate estimate of U.S. primary care capacity.
Researchers from NAIST found that searches related to vaccine side effects positively correlated with vaccination rates in Japan. The 'vaccine concern index' captured searches of terms indicating vaccine hesitancy, revealing lower concerns among older people and female users.
Researchers found that subcutaneous anchor securement systems significantly reduced catheter migration (1.76%) compared to other methods (4.17%, 6.77%, and 9.69%). The study adds to the evidence supporting the use of SecurAcath, which has been shown to reduce bloodstream infections and prolong catheter lifespan.
A collaborative home-based palliative care model has been shown to improve health care outcomes for adults with chronic heart failure. The study found that patients who received this care were less likely to die in the hospital and more likely to die at home compared to those who received usual care.
A study found that building trust with community health workers (promotores) can lead to long-term self-care in type 2 diabetes patients. 32.4% of participants achieved 'self-care generativity,' while 40.5% progressed to 'stabilization.' The model, called Nosotros, could be replicated to improve chronic disease management.
A $1 million NIH grant will help MU researchers analyze the effectiveness of a HIPAA-secure text messaging platform in nursing homes. The study aims to improve quality of care and prevent costly hospital transfers by speeding up decision-making.
The US Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade may limit medical treatment options for patients with rheumatic diseases, as abortion bans take effect in more states. Providers will need to balance evidence-based clinical recommendations with personal and professional risks of violating reproductive rights.
Numerous gaps between dietary intake and recommended guidelines are found, particularly among vulnerable families, with race and ethnicity disparities persisting. A unified plan can improve nutritional outcomes by strengthening federal policies and programs.
Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, is honored with the TCT Career Achievement Award for his transformative work in interventional cardiology and patient care. He has made significant global contributions to cardiovascular medicine.
Researchers found that a specific sequence of drugs can reduce overall costs and improve the value of care for patients with metastatic breast cancer, while minimizing side effects. The study's results suggest that treatment sequencing approaches that minimize costs early may improve the value of care.
A study of 2.4 million Medicare beneficiaries found that those enrolled in Medicare Advantage had lower rates of low-value care, including unnecessary tests and treatments. This study highlights the potential benefits of Medicare Advantage plans in reducing waste in healthcare.
A prospective study in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology found that dedicated women's heart centers can significantly improve clinical and psychological outcomes for women with myocardial ischemia. The study, which followed 154 patients, showed a significant decrease in chest pain frequency and improved quality of life after attending...
A recent study found that nearly 1 in 3 mental health prescriber visits to Medicare patients were provided by PMHNPs, a significant rise from 2011-2019. The growth of PMHNPs helped offset the decline of psychiatrists treating Medicare patients, resulting in a 12% decrease in mental health specialist visits instead of a 30% drop.
A study of nearly 2,400 patients found that video telemedicine consultations matched in-person diagnoses in 87% of cases. The findings suggest a high degree of diagnostic accuracy for video telemedicine visits for most new clinical concerns.