Volume XV | Issue 10 | October 2023 | |
HCI's Monthly Review of the Healthcare Industry | |
Robert J. Stilley
President, CEO
HeartCare Imaging, Inc.
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Dear Colleagues –
I recently had a conversation with a friend that I hadn’t seen in a while. She shared a conversation that she had with mutual friends about my decision to continue working. Many of my friends have left the ‘day to day’ workforce and are enjoying their retirement. When my name came up, and the fact that I was still hard at it, our mutual friend stated that I had not retired because I like what I do too much! This friend had recently spent a vacation with us and had seen me field calls and respond to emails every morning and afternoon…without complaining…well at least not a lot of complaining!
While I've noticed friends retiring, and occasionally considered it myself, I haven't felt that it's the right path for me.HCI boasts an exceptional team committed to making a positive impact, and we carefully select partner-clients who share our values. Some might not realize it, but we've declined to work with those who don't align with our mission. It's a mutual selection process.
Admittedly, there are challenging days, but I understand they provide opportunities for growth. I believe that we are put on Earth, in part, to make it a better place and working with such great team members and partner clients has allowed all of us to do that together. That is something I enjoy doing every day - my friend is so right!
Please enjoy this month’s newsletter!
Best Regards,
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NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes To Suspend Production of Mo-99
NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes (Beloit, Wisconsin) will suspend manufacturing and commercialization of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) at the end of 2023.
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CMS Removes NCD for Beta Amyloid PET
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced today the removal of the National Coverage Determination (NCD) for beta-amyloid PET scans, expanding access to this vital nuclear medicine test for patients with Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.
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PET Imaging Validates Use of Common Cholesterol Drug to Enhance HER2-Targeted Cancer Therapy
A novel therapeutic approach that combines human epidermal growth receptor factor 2 (HER2)-targeted therapies with the cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin can reduce the number of cancer treatments required to prevent tumor growth. Monitored by immuno-PET scans, this combination therapy has the potential to personalize treatment for cancer patients and spare them from harmful side effects.
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New AI Tool for PET Imaging Allows for High-Quality, Fully Automated Evaluation of Brain Tumors
A new artificial intelligence tool provides a fully automated, easy-to-use and objective way to detect and evaluate brain tumors, according to new research published in the October issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine. Developed for use with amino acid PET scans, the deep learning-based segmentation algorithm can also assess brain tumor patients’ response to treatment with quality comparable to that of an experienced physician, but in a fraction of the time.
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Technology that creates interactive holograms of the heart cleared by FDA
Augmented reality is becoming more common in healthcare settings, with St. Louis-based developer SentiAR announcing it has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, this time for its electrophysiology (EP) cardiac mapping system interface.
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CMS ‘million hearts’ CVD risk reduction model works
The Million Hearts Model, a U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) initiative that encouraged and paid health care organizations to assess and reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, reduced first-time myocardial infarction (MI) and strokes among Medicare beneficiaries without significant changes in Medicare spending, a randomized trial finds.
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Highly Potent Statin Stands Out for Diabetes, Cataract Risks
Two high-intensity statin regimens showed similar clinical efficacy when directly compared in secondary prevention, but one was associated with a greater risk of diabetes and cataracts.
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Copper-Boosting Agent Promising for Low Ejection Fraction Heart Failure
Lower doses of copper chelator trientine hydrochloride (Syprine) appeared safe and potentially promising for heart failure with low ejection fraction in a phase IIa trial, despite a missed primary endpoint.
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Deep Learning for Cardiovascular Imaging
Artificial intelligence (AI), driven by advances in deep learning (DL), has the potential to reshape the field of cardiovascular imaging.
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CKD linked to cardiac arrest in Hispanic, Latinx patients
Chronic kidney disease is the strongest predictor of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in a population of Hispanic and Latinx patients, new data show, suggesting early identification of CKD may provide an opportunity to reduce the risk in these groups. Other predictors included heavy drinking, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, heart failure and diabetes.
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Study shows engineered gut bacteria can treat hypertension
Newly published research proves that it's possible to treat high blood pressure by using specially engineered Lactobacillus paracasei to produce a protein called ACE2 in the gut, reducing gut angiotensin II and, in turn, lowering blood pressure. The study, done in lab rats that are predisposed to hypertension and unable to naturally produce ACE2, opens new doors in the pursuit of harnessing our body's own microbiome to regulate blood pressure.
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Team finds a stem-cell derived mechanism that could lead to regenerative therapies for heart damage
A team has identified an essential internal control mechanism that can promote the maturation of human stem cell-derived heart muscle cells, possibly leading to new therapies for heart disease and cardiac damage.
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Fluctuating blood pressure: A warning sign for dementia and heart disease
The link between high blood pressure and a range of health problems is well known, and researchers have now found that fluctuating blood pressure can be just as risky and a potential precursor to dementia and vascular disease.
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Not getting enough sleep? Your vascular cells are drowning in oxidants
A new study of sleep in women shows that delaying bedtime by just 90 minutes each night damages cells that line the blood vessels, supporting the hypothesis that poor sleep is linked to heart health.
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Next season, you may be able to take your flu vaccine at home
The US Food and Drug Administration is reviewing an application for the nasal spray flu vaccine FluMist to be able to be self-administered at home, drugmaker AstraZeneca said Tuesday.
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CVS Pulls Certain Cold Medicines From Shelves and Will Stop Selling Them
Move comes a month after FDA advisers said the common ingredient phenylephrine is ineffective.
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A tropical parasite, passed through the bite of a sand fly, is causing skin infections in the US
Move over mosquitos. There’s another blood-sucking biter Americans need to guard against because it can spread disease: the sand fly.
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Consistent lack of sleep is related to future depressive symptoms
The study analyzed data from people with an average age of 65 and found short sleep was associated with the onset of depressive symptoms.
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Old Antidepressant Eases Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms
In primary care setting, low-dose amitriptyline as second-line treatment improved IBS severity.
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Contaminants in cannabis and hemp flowers create potential for health risks
Cannabis use, even for medical purposes, could make some people sick due to harmful fungi that contaminate the plants. That is the finding of a recently published peer-reviewed journal article, whose authors recommend further study and consideration of changes to regulations to protect consumers, especially those who are immunocompromised. They examined data, previous studies, and U.S. and international regulations related to the cannabis and hemp industry.
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Most women fail to recognize signs of breast cancer, a third are confused by screening guidelines
A new survey reveals less than half of adults recognize common breast cancer symptoms. Further, most women don’t fear getting the disease.
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Long COVID brain fog may originate in a surprising place, say scientists
Scientists have uncovered a possible explanation for one of COVID-19's most vexing legacies: the stubborn neurological symptoms of long COVID, such as brain fog, memory loss and fatigue.
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A seasonal viral stew is brewing with flu, RSV, COVID and more
As the weather cools down, health officials are gearing up for a new season of sickness. It's the time for gathering indoors and spreading respiratory viruses.
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COVID Viral Load Peaks Later Now Than Early in Pandemic
Viral load in COVID-19 infection peaks later now than in the early days of the pandemic, driving implications for rapid testing, researchers say.
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Health Care Industry News | |
Healthcare Strikes Threaten to Prolong Wage Pressure on Hospitals
Tenet could face labor action next, after Kaiser Permanente employees staged the largest U.S. healthcare walkout on record.
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Burnout, Poor Mental Health on the Rise for Healthcare Workers, CDC Says
Healthcare workers reported increasing numbers of poor mental health days and increasing feelings of burnout from 2018 to 2022, although these issues were less common among those who trusted management and had help from their supervisor, a CDC study found.
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Keeping a human in the loop: Managing the ethics of AI in medicine
Increasingly used in medicine, AI raises both hopes and concerns. An international task force has laid out recommendations to ensure AI medical devices help patients and avoid worsening health inequity.
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GoodRx, Sanofi partner on $35 insulin
It’s unclear how much the partnership will improve access to affordable insulin given other recent initiatives from drugmakers and public insurance programs.
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Premiums rose 7% for employer-sponsored health coverage in 2023
The average premium was nearly $8,500 for single coverage and nearly $24,000 for family coverage this year, according to the study published in Health Affairs.
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How a Texas hospital plans to emerge from bankruptcy
Despite filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September, the Hospital at Westlake Medical Center, a physician-owned hospital in Westlake Hills, Texas, is focused on "core service line growth."
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Microbiome and Diet Could Mitigate PTSD Symptoms
Researchers explored the potential link between the Mediterranean diet, the gut microbiome, and PTSD symptoms. Their study, involving 191 participants, revealed that those following a Mediterranean diet exhibited fewer PTSD symptoms.
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Caffeine Cuts Parkinson’s, Even with Genetic Predisposition
New research unveils a significant correlation between caffeine consumption and a lowered risk of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) for individuals with Asian gene variants linked to the disorder.
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Adults with ADHD are at increased risk for developing dementia
Adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are nearly three times more likely to develop dementia than adults without ADHD, according to a new study. The study followed more than 100,000 older adults in Israel over 17 years to examine if adults with ADHD are at increased risk for dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.
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Scientists explain how the brain encodes lottery values
New study reveals role of frontal and parietal cortex in economic decisions under risk in rats.
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Canine Kings & Feline Pharaohs: Cultural Nuances in Pet Affection
Researchers explored the emotional and financial investment of pet owners toward their cats and dogs across Denmark, Austria, and the UK. Their research indicated that, across these nations, dogs generally receive more emotional attachment and financial care than cats. Yet, the extent of this preference varied significantly between countries, suggesting cultural differences in pet treatment.
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Senators urge CMS to withhold staffing mandate, citing negative impact on veteran care
Members of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee urged the CMS to rescind or revise its staffing proposal for nursing facilities on Thursday, warning it could cause facilities to close.
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How to rebuild trust in science: NIH director nominee fields questions
US senators grilled Monica Bertagnolli during a hearing over her plans for the National Institutes of Health, including how she will repair the agency’s reputation.
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Ohio lawmakers propose minimum nurse-to-patient ratios
The state is the latest to propose “safe staffing” legislation in a push to address nurse recruitment and retention.
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DEA temporarily extends telehealth prescribing rules for controlled substances again
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the HHS announced they would extend pandemic-era flexibilities for prescribing controlled substances virtually through the end of 2024.
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A Bipartisan Path For Congress To Expand Cardiac Rehabilitation Capacity And Access
Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an important recommendation for patients who are recovering from a heart attack, heart failure, or cardiac condition that required medical treatment or surgical intervention.
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HeartCare Imaging, Inc. | Phone: 561-746-6125 | Fax: 561-741-2036 | info@heartcareimaging.com | | | | |
