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.

FDA to add ‘black box’ warning to COVID vaccines, report says
The label is the most serious warning the agency can place on pharmaceuticals, denoting substances that carry serious health risks that must be weighed against benefits. CNN was the first to report the news, citing two sources familiar with the matter.
CDC: Pediatric COVID vaccines reduce ER trips by 76%
In a new data analysis from nine states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the protective effect tapers off as juveniles age, with 5-17 year olds seeing fewer trips to urgent care or the emergency room at a rate of 56%. Overall, the agency said evidence shows that COVID-19 vaccines are still effective.
Medicare data reveal ‘highly concerning’ TAVR trends—are hospital rankings to blame?
Hospitals could be turning away high-risk heart patients to help their TAVR programs receive a higher ranking, according to new research published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.
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.

Stroke patients with COVID-19 experience more severe symptoms, a much higher mortality rate

It also takes longer for stroke patients to fully recover when they have COVID-19.

Statin use prior to hospital admission benefits COVID-19 patients

Prior use of ACE inhibitors or ARBs, however, was not associated with the same changes.

Survey finds widespread variation in imaging modalities used to assess COVID-19 across the globe

CXR, mobile x-ray, and chest CT are the most commonly deployed systems, experts reported in European Radiology.

Abdominal radiology must stay vigilant as almost 20% of COVID cases report with only GI symptoms

Providers are increasingly seeing only these indicators among patients, including loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Not so fast: Specialists warn against cardiac imaging for asymptomatic COVID-19 patients

The open letter, signed by clinicians from a number of specialties, was addressed to medical societies that specialize in heart health and medical imaging.

Blood thinners and COVID-19: Researchers from 100-plus sites join forces for new clinical trials

“There is currently no standard of care for anticoagulation in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, and there is a desperate need for clinical evidence to guide practice,” one NIH official said.

A ‘convergence of calamities’: How U.S. wildfires could affect COVID-19 patients, testing facilities

Wildfires continue to burn throughout the Western United States, making it harder than ever for patients and providers in those areas to deal with the ongoing pandemic.

Cardiac imaging helps ID heart damage in athletes who have recovered from COVID-19

After athletes recover from COVID-19, when can they get back to their regular schedules? CMR imaging seems as if it will play a key role when it comes to making such decisions.

COVID-19

FDA to add ‘black box’ warning to COVID vaccines, report says

CDC: Pediatric COVID vaccines reduce ER trips by 76%

Medicare data reveal ‘highly concerning’ TAVR trends—are hospital rankings to blame?

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