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.

Multiple factors can interfere with pulse oximetry accuracy including skin pigmentation. Multiple studies have shown the inaccuracy of current pulse oximeters in patients with darker skin tones than whites, often over estimating their oxygenation when in fact they are hypoxic. Images courtesy of Masimo.

Inaccurate pulse oximeter readings impact Black heart failure patients and FDA plans to address this

Black patients are already less likely to receive LVADs or transplants compared to whites, and these inaccurate readings can further widen the disparities.

CDC: Updated COVID jab significantly reduces odds of infection

The latest COVID-19 vaccine began entering recipients’ bodies last September. Now comes early CDC data supporting the formulation’s general effectiveness.

Former Pfizer employee convicted of trading on COVID trial info

The statistician pocketed $270,000 in profits after Paxlovid's ability to combat COVID-19 was revealed publicly in a landmark announcement.

Deep-learning model able to diagnose COVID-19 from X-rays alone

The model outperformed other AI and was able to diagnose COVID-19 in lungs with greater than 98% accuracy.

Hospitals: Maybe don’t trim your PPE stockpiles just yet

Seeking to thwart transmission of communicable respiratory diseases among patients, visitors and staff, hospitals in a handful of states have reinstated masking mandates.

US life expectancy rising from COVID downturn

The COVID-19 pandemic shaved 2.4 years off U.S. life expectancy, and the population has yet to fully recover from the setback.

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?

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?