Business Intelligence

Providers utilize business intelligence to monitor referral patterns and collaborate with clinicians who order their services. Such analytics tools have also been deployed in the specialty to improve productivity, track patient satisfaction and bolster quality.

UnitedHealthcare looks to reduce prior authorizations by 30% before end of 2026
The insurance arm of UnitedHealth Group said the shift is part of its ongoing effort to eliminate the barriers between care delivery and medical coverage. The full list of services exempt from prior authorizations includes diagnostic tests and many outpatient surgeries.
Atrium Health looking to scoop up smaller nonprofit health system in $2B deal
WakeMed, a three-hospital system in the North Carolina capital region of Raleigh, would become part of Advocate Health, Atrium’s parent company, if the deal goes through. Advocate is one of the largest not-for-profit health systems in the U.S.
Johnson & Johnson becomes the latest pharmaceutical company to sign on to TrumpRx
The New Jersey-based drug developer joins AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, EMD Serono, Novo Nordisk and Pfizer in offering products directly to patients at a discounted rate. Johnson & Johnson is currently listing four medications on the platform.
FDA moves to restrict compounded versions of popular GLP-1 weight loss drugs
The agency said it is seeking to exclude semaglutide, tirzepatide and liraglutide from the 503B program based on a lack of clinical evidence. Unless there’s a shortage, the pharmaceuticals would be barred from being compounded by third-parties for the purpose of treating diabetes or obesity. The FDA is seeking public comment on the proposal.
Virtual nursing staff may help save cardiology departments from burnout
The idea is spreading thanks to a new startup focused on providing support for cardiologists.

Moderna, Merck say new combination treatment boosts skin cancer survival

The new findings come after Moderna accused other pharmaceutical companies of stealing its mRNA technology for COVID-19 vaccines.

New efforts to tackle imaging contrast shortages focus on vertical integration

For one pharmaceutical company, a plan to independently source barium and iodine from North America may offer protection from global supply chain disruptions.

Coalition acts to ensure credible, fair, transparent AI in healthcare

Having identified an “urgent” need for guardrails to keep healthcare AI from veering into an avoidable ditch, the Coalition for Health AI has put together a 24-page guide applicable to numerous groups of stakeholders.

The European Society of radiology European Congress of Radiology (ECR) 2023 meeting. Image courtesy of ECR

Key trends in radiology at the European Congress of Radiology 2023 meeting

Bhvita Jani, research manager at the healthcare market analysis firm Signify Research, shares noteworthy happenings from the ECR expo floor.

PHOTO GALLERY: Behind the scenes at a cardiac ambulatory surgical center

A look inside a Banner Health cardiology ambulatory surgical center (ASC) in Sun City, Arizona.

$300M research fund will focus on Alzheimer’s

The research fund aims to track the health of Americans for decades, with the intent of housing the long-term health information of 70% to 90% of the population.

Liver specialists among first to be ably aided by ChatGPT

ChatGPT isn’t capable of unilaterally guiding care for patients with cirrhosis or the liver cancer it tends to spawn, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the large-language AI tool can competently assist clinicians.

Cardiologist Azeem Latib joins Supira Medical

The interventional cardiologist is now working with vendor Supira Medical to help advance the company's next-generation percutaneous ventricular assist device.

Business Intelligence

UnitedHealthcare looks to reduce prior authorizations by 30% before end of 2026

Atrium Health looking to scoop up smaller nonprofit health system in $2B deal

Johnson & Johnson becomes the latest pharmaceutical company to sign on to TrumpRx

FDA moves to restrict compounded versions of popular GLP-1 weight loss drugs

Virtual nursing staff may help save cardiology departments from burnout