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When the failing US response to the COVID-19 crisis really began
Patrick Gleeson Medical & Allied HealthcareBeyond all the political posturing — both Democratic accusations of Trump administration failures and equally fervent Trump administration declarations of triumph and blame-shifting — one thing has largely been overlooked. It wouldn't have mattered who was in charge when it became clear we were beginning a prolonged health crisis early in 2020. The failures to adequately respond began years ago and continued through three administrations, both Republican and Democratic.
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As CMS delays interoperability and transparency rules, study suggests they’re…
Scott E. Rupp Medical & Allied HealthcareThe Trump administration is pausing its previously established deadlines for the healthcare industry to come into compliance with rules prohibiting information blocking and the rule that mandates interoperability. These decisions are the result of health systems currently being overwhelmed by the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the globe. However, interoperability and enhanced information sharing are improving overall healthcare quality, safety, and costs for U.S. patients and providers, a new Surescripts 2019 National Progress Report points out.
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What’s so great about saffron? A lot, apparently
Amanda Ghosh Medical & Allied HealthcareSaffron is a spice. It's derived from the saffron crocus, a striking deep purple flower with stunning crimson stigma and styles. Though saffron is among the costlier spices by weight, the saffron crocus' stigma and styles are frequently used as seasonings and food dyes. Middle Eastern cultures have used saffron for medicinal purposes for centuries, and its popularity as a "wonder drug" is increasing worldwide. Learn more in this article about its uses in managing Alzheimer's and depression.
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Translating the COVID-19 information firehose as a healthcare professional
Keith Carlson Medical & Allied HealthcareIn these days of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us find ourselves wondering what evidence-based information we should follow and what news sources to avoid. We may first choose to do this simply to keep ourselves sane and focused amidst the noise so that we can function as both private citizens and healthcare professionals. Having said that, we are also likely to feel the heavy responsibility of skillfully curating information so that we can translate the firehose of pandemic-related information for our loved ones who turn to us for reassurance, education, and clarity. In this regard, where do we begin?
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Prevention and treatment of COVID-19 with hydroxychloroquine (PATCH) trial
Dorothy L. Tengler Medical & Allied HealthcareHydroxychloroquine (HCQ), or Plaquenil, is used to prevent and treat malaria in areas where malaria remains sensitive to chloroquine and is also used to treat autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and porphyria cutanea tarda. Importantly, as recently reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association, there is no high-quality evidence demonstrating efficacy of HCQ or its chemical cousin, chloroquine, to treat COVID-19. Consequently, a new trial (NCT04329923), led by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, will test whether HCQ can treat or prevent COVID-19.
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Healthcare’s furloughs continue even as parts of the US begin to…
Scott E. Rupp Healthcare AdministrationThe cratering of the healthcare job market has continued as COVID-19 spreads across the United States. In all sectors, more than 22 million people have filed for unemployment benefits as of April 17, with the virus, for now, wiping out a decade of job gains. The United States has not seen this level of job loss since the Great Depression. Healthcare, long seen as an untouchable career field — safe from the ups and downs of the economy — is among the sectors hardest hit by the pandemic.
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Infographic: The promise of digital therapeutics
Brian Wallace Science & TechnologyBy 2025, the market for digital therapeutics is expected to reach $7.8 billion. This infographic outlines various technologies in this field, such as video games to treat multiple sclerosis and autism, apps for addiction treatment, and even ultrasound tech to treat Parkinson's.
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Infographic: How epidemics spur innovative thinking
Brian Wallace Science & TechnologyBy now, many of us have heard that Shakespeare wrote "Antony and Cleopatra" while under quarantine from the plague, but there are many other innovations for which we have pandemics to thank. This infographic outlines some of the historical innovations that have taken place during epidemics as well as some of the innovations happening now.
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Telehealth is keeping doctors, patients connected in the days of COVID-19
Tammy Hinojos Medical & Allied HealthcareAs the world grapples with the mitigation efforts required to navigate a global pandemic, healthcare practices of every type are getting up to speed and rolling out telehealth services, online chat, virtual appointments and all kinds of remote services. If telehealth is new to your practice and you’re concerned about complicated billing processes, tricky reimbursement issues and even technology challenges, don’t be! The transition is not as difficult as it might appear to be.
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Health systems scrambling for federal cash amidst coronavirus pandemic
Scott E. Rupp Medical & Allied HealthcareHospitals, many of which are hamstrung under near-fatal cash shortages brought on by the onslaught of the COVID-19 virus, are slated for another round of federal stimulus funding. The funding from the first round of stimulus money designated to hospitals was aimed at fighting the coronavirus front in some of the nation's most troubling hot spots. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma told reporters on April 15 that cash-strapped hospitals should expect details about a second wave of emergency funding in a matter of days.
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