COVID-19

Outside of the loss of human life due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the past two years have greatly affected hospitals, health systems and the way providers deliver care. Healthcare executives are grappling with federal monetary assistance, growing burnout rates, workforce shortages and federal oversight of vaccines and testing. This channel is also designed to update clinicians on new research and guidelines regarding COVID patient treatment strategies and risk assessments.

PET imaging reveals long-term heart and lung damage from COVID-19
New data highlight the long-lasting effects of the coronavirus, revealing changes that are not detectable by standard medical assessments.
HHS, NIH announce new ‘universal’ vaccine standard for broad-spectrum protection
Currently in development, the “Generation Gold Standard” platform utilizes inert whole viruses to combat more strains of common illnesses, such as COVID and the flu. It’s on track for FDA approval in 2029.
HHS sued over RFK’s $11B cuts to infectious disease control
The Department of Health and Human Services is refusing to allocate funds meant to support state and local healthcare initiatives, as the money stemmed from now-defunct COVID-19 control efforts. A coalition of municipalities is suing to lift the block.
Owner of home healthcare company gets 14 months for defrauding COVID programs
Nakita Cannady, 49, was also convicted of defrauding Cigna to the tune of $194,000, billing the insurer for patient care hours her providers never filled.
Deaths after TAVR are on the rise: Is the pandemic to blame or should cardiologists be concerned?
COVID-19 may help explain the increased rates of cardiac and noncardiac mortality among TAVR patients, but there are several other factors to consider as well. Researchers explored nearly 11 years of STS/ACC registry data to learn more.

What cardiologists should know about MIPS participation and COVID-19

Cardiologists participating in MIPS in 2020 didn’t exactly plan on providing care during a global pandemic.

Study finds 8.7M cases of COVID-19 cases undetected in March

A new study shows that as much as 80% of COVID-19 cases in the early days of the pandemic went undetected as a result of poor testing capabilities in March.

Trump administration to end funding for COVID-19 testing sites

The Trump administration is planning to cut funding for 13 drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites at a time when cases and deaths in the U.S. continue to skyrocket, Politico reported.

A fresh look at what does (age, diabetes) and does not (hypertension) predict death from COVID-19

A new analysis explored if age, numerous comorbidities, the use of CVD medication and Charleston Comorbidity Index scores can be used to predict mortality among confirmed COVID-19 patients.

Cardiologists shed new light on COVID-19 and cardiac arrhythmias

A higher rate of cardiac arrhythmias has been observed in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, but new research suggests there’s more behind that trend than the virus itself.

CMS forms independent commission for COVID-19 response in nursing homes

CMS has announced the members of the independent Coronavirus Commission on Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes, as the agency is seeking an independent review and assessment of what happened at nursing homes across the countries when COVID-19 hit.

Hospitals are already treating COVID-19 patients with common steroid

Hospitals in the U.S. are already using dexamethasone, a commonly known steroid that’s readily available and inexpensive, to treat COVID-19 patients without waiting for confirmation of preliminary results from a British study that found the drug can greatly improve survival.

Significant portion of COVID-19 may be asymptomatic

Between 40% and 45% of COVID-19 infections could be in people who display no symptoms of the illness, according to an analysis by Scripps Research published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

COVID-19

PET imaging reveals long-term heart and lung damage from COVID-19

HHS, NIH announce new ‘universal’ vaccine standard for broad-spectrum protection

HHS sued over RFK’s $11B cuts to infectious disease control

Owner of home healthcare company gets 14 months for defrauding COVID programs

Deaths after TAVR are on the rise: Is the pandemic to blame or should cardiologists be concerned?