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When the American Heart Association (AHA) published updated guidelines for advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) in 2015, it presented evidence that a low end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2) level in intubated patients was linked to a very low success rate for resuscitation (AHA, 2015). As a result, the ability to monitor EtCO2 during resuscitation efforts became […]
It is widely known that pharmacy chains are attempting to claim a bigger stake in healthcare, whether through acquisitions of health plans, distribution services, or other partnerships. Much of this is in response to Amazon’s interest in entering the pharmacy market… again. It seems Amazon bit off a little more than it could chew when […]
The HRS annual meeting brings together healthcare providers and vendors focused on the diagnostic and therapeutic area of heart rhythm abnormalities and the impact on sudden cardiac death, heart failure, and stroke. This review is only a subset of late-breaking clinical trials that were presented at this year’s HRS meeting. Catheter Ablation vs. Antiarrhythmic Drug […]
Many people these days are wearing the Apple watch or some type of Fitbit monitor/device. They are able to monitor their sleep, steps, calories, heart rate, and other physical activity. How about being able to take an EKG on your wrist device? A big topic at the Heart Rhythm Society meeting in Boston in May […]
Far too many healthcare laboratories today are overcapacitated. That’s just a fancy word for too much or over-supplied. All too often, the chemistry, hematology, and microbiology systems found in hospital laboratories are way above the required testing capacity of the hospital. For example, the laboratory will acquire a floor model analyzer when it could have […]
The Medical Device Manufacturers Association estimates that it can take up to five years and more than $30 million to obtain FDA approval of a new device. The extended timeframe and high cost have limited patients’ and providers’ access to leading-edge technology. In Q4 of 2017 the FDA published the plan for its Breakthrough Devices […]
“Analytics” has been a buzz word in the healthcare industry the last few years. Analytics, it is said, can drive better healthcare and provide solutions by predicting diseases earlier, determining appropriate treatment plans, etc. Thus far, however, clinical use of analytics has been of little help to healthcare organizations in providing better care or driving […]
Healthcare is encountering rapid advancements in technology, genomics, and pharmaceuticals. Physicians now have much more diagnostic data and many more therapeutic options available. While this can be a time-consuming challenge, the evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI) promises a faster, more accurate diagnosis, and delivery of a tailored therapy to each patient. A rapidly growing technology […]
Sleep is a hot topic. Everyone is talking about how much and how well they sleep. Information about sleep is everywhere. How to sleep, how to get better sleep, how much is required, and the quality of sleep is all over the news, social media, and publications. Sleep is the new black. What has made […]
The term “value” has become a focal point for both payers and providers in the discussion about rising healthcare costs. Historically we have seen the term used in the capital budget process due to the need to control costs and improve quality — both major goals in an evolving healthcare market. Now Value-Based Payer contracts […]
As budget constraints tighten and pressures mount, healthcare IT teams nationwide struggle to meet advancing industry and organizational needs. Balancing operational performance with modernization and innovative solutions has forced executives to think differently about a seemingly dated model and approach. A strong philosophical shift to higher levels of outsourcing and implementation of cloud-based solutions on […]
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tells us that in 2013, heart disease was the leading cause of death for women in the United States, killing approximately 300,000 women. That’s more than cancer, chronic lung disease, or stroke. It’s no longer a man’s disease! One of the leading causes driving this alarming statistic […]
CMS is expected to cut $3.6 billion in payments to the Medicare and Medicaid system in the next fiscal year. With dollars becoming scarcer, providers should make value a focal point when considering new capital, professional services, and med-surg supplies. This can be a challenging task, especially when considering a new service line or updating […]
Intuitive Surgical has dominated the robotic surgery market since the da Vinci system received FDA approval in 2000. But many of Intuitive Surgical’s patents have recently expired, making way for new technologies to enter the robotics market. Both startups and established healthcare companies are poised to market their products in a segment that is expected […]
Compounding Pharmacies and Legislation Loopholes Under the Microscope The year 2017 saw the conclusion of the New England Compounding Center (NECC) tragedy that was responsible for a fungal meningitis outbreak, resulting in more than 65 deaths and 730 sickened in 2012. The NECC produced contaminated steroidal injections to which 14,000 people were potentially exposed and […]
