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.

COVID-19, other infections linked to major cardiovascular risks—researchers push for vaccination
Adults are three times as likely to have a heart attack or stroke after a COVID-19 infection than when they are healthy. The risks are even greater for the flu.
Provider participation in Medicare rose 6.3% over 10 years, peaking in 2019
A new study published in JAMA, which looked at fee-for-service Medicare records from 2013–2023, found that overall participation has trended upward. However, the details paint a complicated picture.
Medicare telehealth reimbursement returns to pre-COVID framework
Without a formal extension before the government shutdown, the flexible telemedicine reimbursement policies introduced in 2020 that removed regional barriers for Medicare patients have officially ended.
Saint Mary’s awarded $510M in damages in lawsuit against Universal Health Services
Universal Health Services was found by a jury to be liable for fraud in an alleged scheme to destabilize Saint Mary’s during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ruling includes punitive damages.
CDC vaccine committee issues new guidance for COVID-19 shots
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended that all Americans six months and older consult a clinician before deciding to get a COVID vaccine, ending the pandemic-era policy that broadly encouraged getting the inoculation.

Long COVID tied to microstructural changes in the brain, new MRI technique reveals

The study also unearthed a correlation between such changes and symptom-specific brain networks related to impaired cognition, sense of smell and fatigue.

CVD deaths have increased dramatically, undoing years of progress

The COVID-19 pandemic undid years and years of progress in terms of preventing CVD-related deaths. What can be done to help reverse this trend once and for all?

Cardiologist reprimanded for performing surgery after testing positive for COVID-19

He has agreed to pay an administrative fee of $1,100 within the next three months.

Watchdog’s hospital safety scores show the South standing tall

Last week a business publication reported data showing the Northeast is the best region in the U.S. for healthcare while the South is the worst. Well, what a difference a week makes.

US infant mortality takes a turn for the worse

In calendar year 2022, annual infant mortality alarmingly rose in four states while receding to a reassuring degree in just one.

Lab owner confesses to $359M fraud involving COVID tests

A married couple operating a lab in California admit to billing Medicare for unnecessary rapid COVID tests.

COVID-19 precautions implemented in 2020 reduced D2B times in STEMI patients, and its impact continues to reduce times following the pandemic.

Hospitals still struggling to reach pre-COVID heart attack care thresholds due to pandemic disruption

NCDR report finds hospitals are seeing improvements but are still struggling to reach pre-COVID treatment thresholds years after pandemic precautions upended longstanding processes.

Masking, social distancing ‘do not reduce and may enhance’ subjective well-being in the pandemic-wary

Regardless of effectiveness or lack thereof, pandemic-response measures like masking and social distancing give many people a sense of being better off with them than without them.

COVID-19

COVID-19, other infections linked to major cardiovascular risks—researchers push for vaccination

Provider participation in Medicare rose 6.3% over 10 years, peaking in 2019

Medicare telehealth reimbursement returns to pre-COVID framework

Saint Mary’s awarded $510M in damages in lawsuit against Universal Health Services

CDC vaccine committee issues new guidance for COVID-19 shots