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.

PE CT studies have risen nearly 50% in recent years
The diagnostic yield of the exam, however, has remained largely unchanged, prompting experts to question whether CT pulmonary angiography is being overused in the ED.
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.

Scenes from the pandemic: Telehealth a perfect fit for treating heart failure

One large health system actually treated more heart failure patients during the pandemic than it had in previous years.

Echocardiography helps guide treatment of recovering COVID-19 patients

Imaging data gathered when patients are first hospitalized can be used to anticipate how their hearts might recover in the weeks and months ahead.

Cardiologists review latest data on COVID-19 vaccine-related heart damage

The group urged all eligible individuals to get vaccinated, noting that vaccine-related side effects have been quite rare.

Dangled dollars did next to nothing for COVID vax campaigns

Big-payout lotteries aimed at incentivizing Americans to get vaccinated for COVID-19 have largely flopped, according to a research letter running in JAMA Health Forum.

PAD patients more likely to die from COVID-19

The mortality rate for COVID-19 patients was nearly twice as high if they had a history of peripheral artery disease, researchers found.

More than half of COVID survivors struggle to shake off direct, indirect symptoms

A systematic review of 57 studies representing more than a quarter-million COVID cases has turned up some distressing statistics on survivors—not least those considered “long-haulers.”

Voice of herd immunity pipes up after hiding in plain sight

Is an Amish community in Pennsylvania’s Lancaster County the first U.S. subpopulation to achieve herd immunity against COVID-19?

Primary care’s plea: ‘Wake up to the fact that [we] are key to getting us [all] out of this prolonged pandemic’

A reversal in COVID telehealth reimbursement could further demoralize a medical specialty that has arguably carried more than its own weight during the public health crisis.

COVID-19

PE CT studies have risen nearly 50% in recent years

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