Volume XV | Issue 7 | July 2023 | |
HCI's Monthly Review of the Healthcare Industry | |
Robert J. Stilley
President, CEO
HeartCare Imaging, Inc.
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Dear Colleagues –
I’m sure my team at HeartCare gets tired of me using the phrase ‘Sense of Urgency’. After all, not everything is truly urgent, or is it? Urgency is a matter of perspective. Take, for example, the importance of a regular mealtime for some individuals. When they're ready to eat, and there's no food in sight, the feeling of being 'hangry' kicks in. Put that person in a restaurant with slow service, and we've got a problem. While the server and the cook may be content with their pace, the person waiting for food grows 'hangrier' by the moment…I’m sure we all know ‘that’ person! There's a disconnect between the two parties, highlighting that urgency depends on who is being served. This understanding is at the core of HeartCare's mission – to always be mindful of the needs of those we serve.
Patient care is an aspect that undoubtedly warrants a sense of urgency, and it remains a top priority for us at HCI. Additionally, certain hard deadlines, such as license renewals and accreditations, are undeniably urgent, yet they often get overlooked by some. As we navigate through these important matters, we stay committed to maintaining a sense of urgency.
Now, some may argue that living with a constant sense of urgency is not the way to go. However, I offer a different perspective. Rather than just focusing on 'urgent,' let's emphasize 'sense of urgency.' Embracing this mentality, we recognize that all aspects of our lives are significant, whether it's our work or personal time. Family moments, vacations, and even worship deserve the same level of urgency as our professional commitments. This approach allows us to make the most of every opportunity, both within and beyond our work, and leads to fewer missed deadlines, better seizing of opportunities, and fewer instances of letting people down—ultimately resulting in less stress.
Rest assured, at HeartCare Imaging, working with a sense of urgency is ingrained in who we are. It's the driving force behind our commitment to excellence, patient care, and exceeding expectations for all those we serve.
Best Regards,
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AI analysis of SPECT MPI scans can predict future cardiac events
The combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) can accurately predict future major adverse cardiac events, according to research being presented on June 13 at the annual meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI).
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Canada grapples with shortage of SPECT agent
Due to production delays, Canada is facing a shortage of dypyridamole -- an agent used in SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) to diagnose coronary artery disease.
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Personalized Dosing May Improve Outcomes in Patients With Prostate Cancer
Physicians may be able to personalize dosing intervals and consequently improve patient outcomes by monitoring early-response biomarkers in patients with prostate cancer who are undergoing treatment with lutetium (Lu)-177–PSMA, according to new findings presented by Emmett et al at the Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging 2023 Annual Meeting (Abstract 507).
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Quidel Cardiovascular Inc. Recalls Quidel Triage Cardiac Panels for Risk of False Negative Troponin Results that Could Cause Delayed Diagnosis or Missed Myocardial Infarction
The FDA has identified this as a Class I recall, the most serious type of recall. Use of these devices may cause serious injuries or death.
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Statin Reduced Risk of Heart Disease in People With HIV
The cholesterol-lowering agent pitavastatin (Livalo) as primary prevention reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) among people living with HIV, the randomized REPRIEVE trial showed.
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New research suggests immunotherapy for AFib could be on the horizon
Targeting immune cells that play a key role in the development of atrial fibrillation (AFib) could give cardiologists a new way to treat the disease, according to a new analysis in Science.The study’s authors said this approach could also help limit the side effects associated with other AFib treatments.
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Heart Attack Risk Rises Significantly on Extremely Hot, Polluted Days
Extreme heat and air pollution can be dangerous for the heart. Enduring both at the same time can be especially deadly, new research shows.
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Powerhouse proteins protect heart cells from chemotherapy damage
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have identified a process by which enzymes can help prevent heart damage in chemotherapy patients.
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How can heart failure contribute to cognitive impairment?
More than 64 million people globally have heart failure. Cognitive impairment is a common complication in people with heart failure. Researchers from Columbia University believe a small calcium leak inside the brain’s neurons is why heart failure may lead to cognitive decline. Scientists have also developed an experimental drug aimed at ‘plugging’ the calcium leak to help slow heart failure progression.
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Many Postpartum Check-Ups Omit Discussion of Mom's Heart Health
For many new moms in recent years, the 4- to 6-week postpartum check-up still lacked cardiovascular health (CVH) counseling, according to nationally representative survey data.
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Effect of Yearly Exercise on Medication Expense in Metabolic Syndrome
Combining exercise with standard medical therapy for MetS improves clinical outcomes. Long-term supervised exercise may impart an economic benefit.
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Cardiac rehabilitation reduces risk of death years after heart surgery, still underutilized
People who participate in cardiac rehabilitation have a decreased risk of death years after surgery, with a trend towards better outcomes in patients who attend more sessions, a study finds. Just over half of patients attended a single session of cardiac rehabilitation, and only 12% of those patients completed all 36 sessions. This occurred despite health systems referring patients to the program 94% of the time, suggesting referral alone is not sufficient to ensure participation.
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Lessons learned from first genetically-modified pig heart into human patient
A new study has revealed the most extensive analysis to date on what led to the eventual heart failure in the world's first successful transplant of a genetically-modified pig heart into a human patient.
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Even exercise by ‘weekend warriors’ can cut CV risk
Moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is a familiar and established approach to reducing cardiovascular (CV) risk, but it’s often believed that the exercise should be spread out across the week rather than concentrated within a couple of days.
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Gut and oral flora linked to subclinical CAD, inflammation
Multiple gut bacterial species that are commonly found in the mouth, especially several forms of Streptococcus, were associated with coronary atherosclerosis and systemic inflammatory biomarkers in a population-based observational study.
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Obesity linked to altered brain connectivity on PET/MRI exams
This week at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2023 Annual Meeting, new research explains how the brains of individuals with obesity differ from those who maintain a healthy weight.
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Extreme Heat Sends Nauseated, Comatose Patients to Hospitals Around U.S.
This summer’s extreme heat is sending waves of nauseated, dizzy and sometimes comatose patients to hospitals.
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Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Also Help Lung Health
Omega-3 fatty acids may play a protective role in long-term lung health, according to longitudinal and Mendelian randomization analyses.
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Surgical and engineering innovations enable unprecedented control over every finger of a bionic hand
For the first time, a person with an arm amputation can manipulate each finger of a bionic hand as if it was his own. Thanks to revolutionary surgical and engineering advancements that seamlessly merge humans with machines, this breakthrough offers new hope and possibilities for people with amputations worldwide. A study presents the first documented case of an individual whose body was surgically modified to incorporate implanted sensors and a skeletal implant. A.I. algorithms then translated the user's intentions into movement of the prosthesis.
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Medical 'microrobots' could one day treat bladder disease, other human illnesses
Engineers have designed a new class of 'microrobots' several times smaller than the width of a human hair that may be able to treat human illnesses like interstitial cystitis -- a painful bladder disease that affects millions of Americans.
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Skin patch shows promise for toddlers with peanut allergy
A global phase 3 clinical trial found that a year-long immunotherapy through a skin patch safely desensitized toddlers with peanut allergy, lowering the risk of a severe allergic reaction from accidental exposure.
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How a daily probiotic could help slow age-related cognitive decline
A clinical trial suggests that treatment with a probiotic could help people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) regain cognitive function.
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Pfizer warns of a looming penicillin supply shortage
The company said there is an "impending stock out situation" for select Bicillin L-A and Bicillin C-R prefilled syringes, Pfizer's brand name of injectable penicillin.
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Gut Biome Altered in Inflammatory Arthritis, but Causal Direction Unclear
Another study has confirmed that the intestinal microbiome's composition in people with inflammatory arthritis differs from that in other people, and in potentially unhealthy ways -- but whether the microbiome alterations actually cause arthritis is less clear.
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Rotavirus Hospitalization in Kids Linked to Autoimmune Disease Later On
Rotavirus-associated hospitalization was significantly associated with subsequent autoimmune disease during childhood, according to a large population-based cohort study from South Korea.
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Health Care Industry News | |
AHA raises concerns about foreign hacking groups
John Riggi, the national adviser for cybersecurity and risk for the American Hospital Association, said foreign hacking groups in countries such as Russia, China and North Korea are making the association "very concerned," NPR reported July 26.
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CHS to sell 3 hospitals to Tampa General
Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems subsidiaries have signed a definitive agreement to sell three Florida hospitals to Tampa General Hospital.
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Nearly 1 in 5 workers are 'loud quitting': Gallup
Fifty-nine percent of employees are "quiet quitting" (not engaged), and 18 percent, or nearly 1 in 5 workers, are "loud quitting" (actively disengaged). Gallup defines being not engaged at work as those who do the minimum required and are psychologically detached from their work.
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Surge in Heart Procedures Helps Drive Johnson & Johnson Revenue
A surge in heart procedures and higher demand for cold and flu medicines helped Johnson & Johnson report solid gains in revenue and profit for the second quarter.
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Amazon launches generative AI-based clinical documentation service
AWS is the latest tech giant looking to leverage the futuristic algorithms to streamline medical notetaking for physicians.
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This year will not bring ‘full rebound’ for nonprofit hospitals
Many nonprofit hospitals suffered their worst operational year on record in 2022 and this year is unlikely to bring a complete end to financial hardships, according to Fitch Ratings.
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Social isolation linked to lower brain volume
Social isolation in older individuals has been linked to reduced brain volume in regions associated with memory, a new study shows.
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Pioneering Stem Cell Therapy Offers New Hope for Epilepsy Treatment
Researchers embarked on a groundbreaking clinical trial involving the injection of regenerative cells into the brain to treat epileptic seizures.
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Berry Good News: Daily Strawberries Boost Cognitive & Cardio Health
Consuming strawberries daily was linked to improved cognitive function, lower blood pressure, and increased antioxidant capacity. The study involved 35 healthy individuals who consumed an amount equivalent to two servings of strawberries daily.
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The sound of silence? Researchers demonstrate people hear it
Silence might not be deafening but it's something that literally can be heard, concludes a team of philosophers and psychologists who used auditory illusions to reveal how moments of silence distort people's perception of time.
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Eight Habits for Longevity: Life-Lengthening Factors Increase Lifespan by 24 Years
Researchers reveal the significant role of claustral neurons in controlling fentanyl consumption.
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The Biden administration proposes new rules to push insurers to boost mental health coverage
President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced that his administration is moving forward with new rules meant to push insurance companies to increase their coverage of mental health treatments.
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FDA Eases Fears of Major Drug Shortages After Tornado Damages Pfizer Facility
Last week's tornado in North Carolina should not cause too much of an immediate disruption in the supply of drugs manufactured at a Rocky Mount, North Carolina plant operated by Pfizer, FDA officials said.
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New antitrust merger guidelines could have significant chilling effect on healthcare deals
Regulators have historically struggled to make a case against complex and non-traditional tie-ups. That could change with the new guidelines.
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Feds drill down on medical cards
With consumers increasingly tapping medical credit cards to pay for healthcare costs, the Biden administration is zeroing in on regulations to police such financial services.
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Senate Committee Advances Pandemic Preparedness Legislation
The Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee voted 17-3 with relatively little fanfare Thursday to send pandemic preparedness legislation to the full Senate for a vote.
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HeartCare Imaging, Inc. | Phone: 561-746-6125 | Fax: 561-741-2036 | info@heartcareimaging.com | | | | |
