It’s easy to see the appeal of cross-market hospital mergers to the marrying partners. How these long-distance entwinements help patients is a separate question.

That same team that transplanted a pig heart into a human patient for the very first time in 2022 has now done it again. The patient is currently recovering from the procedure, which occurred on Sept. 20. 

The new ranking, based on extensive survey data gathered by Newsweek, includes a total of 150 hospitals. Seven of the top 10 are located in the United States. 

Patients browsing shoppable hospital services often get one price online and another over the phone, new research shows.

Hospital patients who test positive for Clostridioides difficile immediately upon admission but show no symptoms are highly unlikely to spread the germ to other inpatients.

New research in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions explored the potential of performing EP studies before and after valve deployment. TAVR operators handled all catheter manipulations, and EP specialists were on hand to capture the necessary measurements. 

Brookline-based Bournewood Health Systems and First Psychiatric Planners are also accused of pushing patients to attend facilities known to be overcrowded and dangerous. 

Buzzworthy developments of the past few days.