UChicago Medicine receives 2023 Tyson Award for healthcare equity program
Editor's Note The University of Chicago Medicine has been awarded the 2023 Bernard J. Tyson National Award for Excellence in Pursuit of Healthcare Equity for the success of its Systematic Treatment and Management of Postpartum Hypertension (STAMPP-HTN) program, The Joint Commission October 25 reports. According to The Joint Commission news…
Emerging pathogens widespread in mechanical ventilators
Editor's Note Patients in Maryland hospitals on mechanical ventilators were exposed to two dangerous pathogens, which are becoming growing threats in hospital systems, according to a new report published on October 12 by JAMA Network. The report analyzed survey data from 51 participating healthcare facilities. The data included 482 patients…
Gender pay gap identified for gastroenterologists
Editor's Note According to a report by researchers from the University of Virginia Healthcare System, there is a significant gender pay gap in Center for Medical Services (CMS) reimbursements for gastroenterologists, Gastroenterology & Endoscopy News October 19 reports. The findings were reported in this poster presentation as well as first…
Over 7,500 steps per day done preop leads to better outcomes
Editor's Note Active daily habits–specifically getting more than 7,500 steps a day before a surgical procedure–cuts the odds of complications within 90 days after discharge in half, regardless of the complication of a patient’s operation, MedicalXpress October 20 reports. The findings were presented at the American College of Surgeons Clinical…
Steven Rosenberg, pioneer in immunotherapy, awarded National Medal of Technology and Innovation
Editor's Note Steven Rosenberg, MD, PhD, chief of the Surgery Branch at the Center for Cancer Research at the National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and a pioneer in the development of immunotherapy to fight cancer, was awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.…
AI tool links HCW stress during pandemic to mental health issues
Editor's Note An AI tool helped to identify signs of distress in conversations from healthcare workers (HCWs) with their therapists during the pandemic, according to a study from NYU Grossman School of Medicine, EurekAlert! October 24 reports. The findings were published in Journal of Medical Internet Research AI. Researchers analyzed…
Researchers identify immunity-driven factors behind rejection of medical implants
Editor's Note Medical devices such as pacemakers, breast implants, or knee replacements often cause hostile immune responses that can damage not only the implants but also surrounding tissue in the patient. That rejection often leads to further intervention needed that may include medications such as immunosuppressants or additional procedures. Researchers…
Inappropriate prescribing rates same for PCPs, NPs
Editor's Note A new study finds that both primary care physicians (PCPs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) inappropriately prescribe medications to older patients at the same rate, the Annals of Internal Medicine October 24 reports. The research is titled "Inappropriate Prescribing to Older Patients by Nurse Practitioners and Primary Care Physicians."Â …
AI apps accurately diagnose pigmented skin cancer
Editor's Note A new study analyzed the accuracy of diagnosis and therapy recommendations of two AI-based smartphone apps compared to recommendations coming from doctors. The findings were published in The Lancet Digital Health in October 2023.  In the study, the AI-assisted app was compared with both medical experts and less…
COVID-19 vaccinations prevented 20M deaths in their first year
Editor's Note Almost two thirds of the world’s population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine since December 2020. Vaccinations prevented 19.8 million out of a potential 31.4 million deaths related to COVID-19 worldwide in their first year, according to September 2022 findings published in The Lancet…