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COVID-19 crisis slows organ transplants nationwide
Chelsea Adams Medical & Allied HealthcareAs ICUs have filled up with COVID-19 patients, the number of organ transplants have decreased significantly nationwide. Data from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) showed transplants decreased sharply in early March. By the last week of month, half the number of transplants were performed as in the first week. According to the UNOS, there were about 900 transplants the week of Feb. 16. By March 29, that number had fallen to 437. Living donor programs have seen the most significant drop.
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Tips to protect data, devices when conducting remote healthcare services
Tammy Hinojos Medical & Allied HealthcareThe global health crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic has pushed millions of healthcare practices to move into the virtual medicine lane. For some, it will be temporary. Others were already doing it and will continue to offer this convenient, forward-thinking option to patients who prefer to have appointments from the comfort of their own surroundings. Whether a medical practice is just beginning to dip its toes into the telemedicine pool or is a seasoned expert, there are some important data security measures you must have in place for your patients, your practice, and your workers.
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Be careful issuing bonuses to nonexempt workers who keep working during…
D. Albert Brannen Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementEmployers who are working hard to stay open during the COVID-19 pandemic are looking for innovative ways to reward and recognize employees who are going "the extra mile" and continuing to work despite the invisible threat of the virus to their safety. Employers who choose to use special bonuses or other lump sum payments need to be aware that bonus payments should be included in the calculations for determining how much overtime is due to nonexempt employees.
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After a huge drop in practice visits, elective healthcare procedures resume…
Scott E. Rupp Medical & Allied HealthcareThe following should come as no surprise to anyone whatsoever — outpatient and medical practice visits have cratered since March because of the COVID-19 pandemic. A new study showing this data comes from The Commonwealth Fund, conducted by researchers from Harvard University. Per the study, outpatient visits dropped by 57% between March 1 and March 29. Visits were down 54% as of April 12. Telemedicine visits increased along with the drop in in-person visits, but not enough to offset the decreases.
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Infographic: How data is saving lives during the COVID-19 pandemic
Brian Wallace Medical & Allied HealthcareResearch is moving fast in the age of COVID-19, and even new methods of early detection can save lives because of the virulent nature of the virus. For example, data from multiple nursing homes with confirmed cases show a correlation between testing pulse oxygen twice a day and early detection of COVID-19, up to two weeks before a temperature check shows the same. Learn more about how data is saving lives through careful analysis of information.
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The tragedy of hubris and the triumph of humility
Keith Carlson Medical & Allied HealthcareHealthcare, nursing, and the practice of medicine are peopled with a plethora of characters with a wide range of personalities, disguises, styles, costumes, and ways of conducting themselves on the medical stage. And since most aspects of healthcare are collaborative in nature — including patient care, research, and education, among others — a cooperative zeitgeist is most helpful in achieving both individual and collective success. However, when hubris (excessive pride) rears its ugly head, the curtain can be prematurely drawn on a scene in need of a great deal more rehearsal.
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A look at the first trial for a COVID-19 vaccine
Dorothy L. Tengler Medical & Allied HealthcareDeveloping a vaccine to protect against COVID-19 is critical because of the large number of people infected, the ability of the virus to spread from person to person, and the spread of the virus across so many geographic areas. Despite global efforts, however, the World Health Organization estimates 18 months before a vaccine against the coronavirus is publicly available. At present, about 80 companies and academic institutions are racing to find a vaccine, and of those, five are now testing their vaccine candidates in people. The first of these to enter human trials did so in March.
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Study validates loss of smell, taste as COVID-19 symptoms for patients…
Lynn Hetzler Medical & Allied HealthcareA number of publications, such as The Lancet and JAMA, have been reporting anecdotal reports of the loss of smell and taste in patients with COVID-19. A new study presents empirical findings that strongly associate smell and taste dysfunction with COVID-19. Sore throat, they found, was more strongly associated with COVID-19 negativity. When screening patients for COVID-19, clinicians often look for the most common symptoms of COVID-19: fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. The results of this study, published in the journal International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology, suggest that screeners ask patients about their senses of smell and taste.
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Research explores the real health costs of COVID-19
Scott E. Rupp Medical & Allied HealthcareThe costs of COVID-19 treatment are starting to bear out for both patients and health systems, according to researchers. Recent reports suggest a single symptomatic COVID-19 infection would cost at least $3,045 in direct medical costs incurred during the pandemic, Health Affairs says. Based on multiple studied scenarios, researchers said that if up to 80% of the U.S. population gets infected, costs could surpass $650 billion for the U.S health system throughout the pandemic. If 20% get infected, costs could still result in as much as $163.4 billion.
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How robots can dramatically improve your hospital’s management of…
Lisa Mulcahy Medical & Allied HealthcareWhether you work as a physician or in administration, your attention is now squarely focused on reducing COVID-19 risk to your patients and caregivers in any way you can. One emerging solution that can help you achieve this goal is robotics. New research from the University of California San Diego found that mobile robots in a hospital setting can provide excellent results when it comes to key care areas related to COVID-19.
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