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.

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.
COVID-induced neuroinflammation can last 2 years or longer, according to new PET data
These findings are important to consider with regard to patients’ long-term health, as chronic inflammation has been implicated in cognitive decline.

Ventilators? PPE? Those COVID concerns are so five months ago

Early on in the COVID crisis, many hospital-based healthcare workers moved around to serve in COVID hotspots hurting for staff. They did so at scale and at will. Those were the good old days.

Another pro athlete, football player Tommy Sweeney, diagnosed with COVID-related myocarditis

A cardiologist detected Sweeney’s condition during a mandatory checkup.

COVID crisis in Nebraska: ‘We’re watching a system breaking in front of us and we’re helpless to stop it’

The hospital many consider the best prepared in the U.S. to handle a pandemic prior to the COVID crisis now finds itself “on an absolutely catastrophic path.”

CDC floats guidance on COVID vaccine distribution

If you’re on the front lines in the war on COVID-19, you should go to the front of the line for a COVID vaccination, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is recommending.

‘We have never seen anything like this’: Risk of death 74% higher when COVID-19 patients develop blood clots

Blood clots are unusually common—and quite fatal—among patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Revered cardiologist dies from COVID-19

A moment of silence has been planned to celebrate the late cardiologist's memory.

During a government-regulated lockdown in Argentina, patients admitted to the emergency department were much more likely to have high blood pressure.

Obese COVID-19 patients face a greater risk of in-hospital death, mechanical ventilation

“These observations support rigorous adherence to COVID-19 prevention strategies in obese individuals of all ages,” the researchers wrote.

COVID-19

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

COVID-induced neuroinflammation can last 2 years or longer, according to new PET data