Uncategorized 
Editor's Note Data show nearly half of rural hospitals categorized as high-risk financially improved their stability after mergers, acquisitions, or affiliations (M&A) with larger health systems, Fierce Healthcare reported December 2. Conducted by Dobson DaVanzo & Associates and commissioned by the Coalition to Strengthen America’s Healthcare, the analysis found that 110…
Editor's Note Health systems across the US are reimagining their infrastructure by heavily investing in outpatient care and repurposing hospital spaces to meet growing demands for mental health and rehabilitation services, Modern Healthcare December 2 reports. This shift reflects a broader trend toward community-based care and aligns with advancements in…
Editor's Note A Republican-led House subcommittee investigating the COVID-19 pandemic released a 520-page final report summarizing its two-year inquiry, outlining recommendations for future pandemic preparedness and critiquing both US and global responses to the crisis. CNN reported the news December 2. The report concludes that COVID-19 most likely emerged from…
Editor's Note Researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) say their newly created coating could enhance the safety of medical devices by reducing the risks of thrombosis and excessive bleeding in patients. As reported November 30 in Fox News, researchers' findings, published in the journal Nature Materials, highlight how…
Editor's Note The US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) has initiated a pilot program to improve the speed of public notifications regarding high-risk medical device recalls. According to a November 21 announcement, this initiative aims to minimize the time between the FDA's awareness…
Editor's Note Research reveals combining non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with blood thinners heightened bleeding risk across multiple organ systems, HealthDay reported November 18. The study analyzed nearly 52,000 Danish patients prescribed blood thinners between 2012 and 2022, examining NSAID interactions with multiple anticoagulants including rivaroxaban, apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, and warfarin.…
Editor's Note Hospitals’ financial outlook is stable, although growth is slowing and certain costs are projected to increase, particularly for cybersecurity, according to two recent Becker’s reports on data from Moody’s Investor Services. The first, published November 14 in Becker’s Hospital CFO Report, notes that “hospitals are facing a stable…
Editor's Note A nationwide shortage of intravenous (IV) fluids is forcing hospitals to adopt conservation strategies that could reshape hydration practices long-term, KFF Health News reported November 19. The shortage was driven by Hurricane Helene’s damage to Baxter International’s North Cove facility, which is responsible for 60% of US IV…
Editor's Note A November 13 report from The Government Accountability Office (GAO) identifies critical gaps in the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) ability to manage cybersecurity risks in the healthcare and public health sector. HHS, the lead federal agency for cybersecurity in this sector, faces challenges in monitoring…
Editor's Note During the past few years, US hospitals have improved significantly in reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), adhering to hand hygiene best practices, and preventing medical errors, according to the fall 2024 Hospital Safety Grades from The Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit focused on patient safety. Released November 15, the rankings…
