Care Delivery

This channel includes news on cardiovascular care delivery, including how patients are diagnosed and treated, cardiac care guidelines, policies or legislation impacting patient care, device recalls that may impact patient care, and cardiology practice management.

Hospitals serving Medicaid patients prepare to take proposed payment caps on the chin
New federal limits on state-directed payments are set to cut Medicaid funding in most states. Hospitals are expected to bear the brunt since they account for the majority—84%, around $78B a year—of state-directed healthcare spends.
Nationwide nursing-home picture comes into focus with new analysis
Either the stakeholders issuing the warnings overstated the risk of widespread closings—or COVID-era emergency funds succeeded in heading off a calamity of national proportions. Either way, patient access has taken a hit here and there.
Cardiologists and surgeons share early feedback after CMS proposed sweeping TAVR changes
Major TAVR policy changes appear to be on the way—should clinicians be excited or concerned? Leading U.S. medical societies are sharing their early reactions.
Humana exits $900M position in end-of-life provider Gentiva
The Kentucky-based insurance giant had owned a 40% stake in the hospice company, stemming from its 2021 acquisition of Kindred Healthcare. Humana said a “consortium of investors" is making the buy, but few details were revealed.
TAVR concerns: Cardiologists, patient family members question quality of care at rural hospital
A failed TAVR procedure has left one family unsure about where things went wrong.

How did the pig heart transplant patient die? A preventable infection may be to blame

The genetically modified pig heart appears to have been infected with a porcine virus, according to the surgeon who performed the initial transplant.

FDA limits use of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine over blood clot risk

The move limits the vaccine to individuals 18 and older for whom other other authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccines are not accessible or clinically appropriate, as well as those 18 and older who would otherwise not receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure guided by CT fusion imaging on a patient with heart failure and a blood clot

Cardiologists and surgeons perform first TAVR using CT imaging guidance on HF patient with blood clot

“We believe this case is potentially groundbreaking," one interventional cardiologist said.

Alice L. Walton Foundation to help launch new health system

The Alice L. Walton Foundation has teamed up with Washington Regional Medical System to create a new health system in Northwest Arkansas. Alice Walton is the only daughter of Sam Walton, who founded Walmart.

coronavirus COVID-19 vaccine vaccination

Severe COVID-19 ages the brain 20 years

"We urgently need to look at what can be done to help these people," one researcher said.

Engagement down among healthcare workers

Amid a tight labor market and nationwide labor shortage, healthcare organizations already have their work cut out when it comes to filling vacant roles and retaining staff.

Combining certain BP medications with NSAIDs linked to kidney damage—acetaminophen seen as a safer option

A team of researchers used computer science and mathematics to study the "triple whammy" of diuretics, RAS inhibitors and NSAIDs.

Margins are improving, but hospitals face a long road to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic

Hospital and health systems saw incremental economic improvements in March, with rising margins and fewer COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

Care Delivery

Hospitals serving Medicaid patients prepare to take proposed payment caps on the chin

Nationwide nursing-home picture comes into focus with new analysis

Cardiologists and surgeons share early feedback after CMS proposed sweeping TAVR changes

Humana exits $900M position in end-of-life provider Gentiva

TAVR concerns: Cardiologists, patient family members question quality of care at rural hospital