Patient Care

This page includes news coverage of various aspects of patient healthcare, including new technology innovations, what is working, what is not, personalized medicine and remote and telemedicine delivery. Find specific news in the areas of Care DeliveryDigital TransformationPrecision MedicineRemote Monitoring and Telehealth.

Elder caree

New group names 4 things US healthcare can—and should—handle on behalf of Alzheimer’s patients, caregivers

Alzheimer’s disease already has the nation in a crisis of care capacity. The pressure to do more in response is mounting. Meanwhile the true total cost is hard to estimate since so many dementia caregivers are unpaid family members and other volunteers. 

teens smoking weed cannabis

Teenage cannabis users twice as likely as non-users to develop psychosis, bipolar disorder

The new research doesn’t solve the mystery of which tends to come first—the mental illness or the drug use. Regardless, the large study serves to underscore the need for proactive and preventive measures. 

cardiologist viewing heart data

Registry data point to ‘striking shift’ in treatment decisions after FDA approved low-risk TAVR

Many experts still recommend SAVR over TAVR for patients younger than 65 years old with severe aortic stenosis. However, transcatheter treatments are growing more and more popular when these younger patients require a valve replacement.

Death after PCI seen in just 0.5% of patients—heart attack, cardiac arrest most common causes

The new analysis included data from more than 22,000 PCI patients treated at one of two high-volume U.S. facilities. Infection was the most common noncardiac cause of death.

Fist punch assault

Nurse suing hospital for failing to head off vicious attack by patient

A hospital and its security contractor are facing legal trouble over a brutal beating taken by a unit nurse at the hands of a mentally ill inpatient a year ago. 

First ACC/AHA acute pulmonary embolism guidelines include new categories for risk stratification

The new guidance, the first of its kind, focuses on the importance of making a prompt diagnosis and providing care as quickly as possible. While some PE patients with mild cases can be discharged early, others may require an immediate catheter-based intervention or surgery.

Ambulance emergency trauma

Paramedics, flight nurses become experts in trauma care by hands-on experience, not long careers per se

EMS colleagues with many years on the job but not much direct trauma exposure set the stage for suboptimal patient outcomes.

leg amputation below the knee

PAD patients could be missing out on recommended care following major lower extremity amputations

Patients undergoing the procedures due to infection, chronic limb-threatening ischemia and other serious complications may not be receiving the follow-up care their need.