WHO urges cautious approach to generative AI healthcare applications
Editor's Note: The World Health Organization (WHO) has released recommendations around the ethics and guidance of artificial intelligence (AI)-based large language models (LLMs) in healthcare applications. In a January 18 announcement, the organization recognized that AI LLMs, with their ability to analyze and interpret data, have a wide range of…
Cancer diagnoses rise; shift to younger demographic
Editor's Note: Although overall mortality from cancer continues to decline, diagnoses continue to increase and have shifted from older to middle-aged adults. These are among the conclusions of the latest report from the American Cancer Society, which was published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. “Among adults younger than 50…
Hospitals report modest growth as pandemic recovery continues
Editor's Note: Hospitals and health systems are reporting improved operating margins and increases in revenue as they continue their long recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a January 10 report from Chief Healthcare Executive. Citing the National Hospital Flash Report from Kaufman Hall, the article notes…
Healthcare employment up in December, defying expectations
Editor's Note Healthcare employment in the US rose by 37,700 from December 2023 to January 2024, according to the latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics released on January 5. Overall, employment rose by 2.7 million in 2023 (an average monthly gain of 225,000), which is less than the…
Ransomware attacks on healthcare systems rose in 2023
Editor's Note A near doubling of ransomware attacks on healthcare systems from 2022 to 2023 could point to a problematic trend, according to a January 2 report from cybersecurity firm Emsisoft. Specifically, findings show 46 ransomware attacks in 2023 compared to 25 in 2022 and 27 in 2021. The 2023…
Study: AI model explanations fail to combat bias
Editor's Note New data raise questions about the effectiveness of image-based AI model explanations in helping clinicians recognize systematic bias when diagnosing hospitalized patients. The findings appeared in JAMA on December 19. Researchers looked at the diagnostic accuracy of 457 hospital physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants in diagnosing patients…
Role of data in surgical, patient preparedness for MSK cases
An estimated 126.6 million Americans are dealing with the impact of a musculoskeletal (MSK) condition, according to a US Bone and Joint Initiative report. That means, one in two adults in the US have gone or will be going through a wide range of hip, knee, shoulder, and/or spine procedures.…
Flu cases are rising across the US
Editor’s Note Seasonal flu cases are spiking across the country, according to data published December 15 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Although the surge is nationwide, activity is highest in the southeast, south-central, and west coast regions. As a result, weekly flu hospital admissions are…
Supply chain leaders discuss improving access, reducing costs
Editor's Note Supply chain professionals can contribute to a more affordable, equitable health care system by spending more with suppliers in economically disadvantaged areas; expanding distribution into in-home care; and leveraging data and technology. According to a November 28 report in Healthcare Purchasing News, these were among the conclusions of…
First hospital joins FDA’s medical device information sharing and analysis initiative
Editor’s Note Charlotte, North Carolina-based Atrium Health is the first hospital to join the Medical Device Information Analysis and Sharing (MDIAS) public-private partnership (PPP) between the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and private sector stakeholders. The news was announced December 12 by Mitre, a nonprofit research organization and the independent…
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