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Tag: Healthcare

  • nference and Vanderbilt University Medical Center sign agreement to advance real-world evidence generation in complex disease populations

    nference and Vanderbilt University Medical Center sign agreement to advance real-world evidence generation in complex disease populations

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    Newswise — nference, a science-first software company transforming health care by making biomedical data computable, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, a leading academic medical center, have announced a strategic agreement aimed at advancing research through the deployment of nference’s state-of-the-art federated clinical analytics platform. By leveraging the power of federated AI and machine learning, this collaboration will expand clinical insights in key research areas.

    Combining VUMC’s extensive longitudinal, multi-modal data with nference’s federated AI platform will enable both parties to advance real-world scientific insights for drug discovery and patient care. This platform will provide Vanderbilt researchers and others in the life sciences community with an increasingly diverse dataset, which is crucial in understanding and addressing the varied patient needs across the healthcare spectrum. The agreement highlights both nference and VUMC’s commitment to using the most advanced technology to accelerate medical research and improve patient care.

    “nference’s advanced capability to utilize information gathered from electronic health records, imaging data, and digital pathology data, when combined with our historic and deep experience and leadership in biomedical informatics and health information technology, allows us to advance the understanding of devastating diseases while accelerating biomedical research,” said Jeff Balser, MD, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer for VUMC and Dean of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

    Leveraging multimodal data, including imaging and digital pathology, offers a holistic view of complex diseases. As part of this agreement, Pramana, a nference company modernizing the pathology sector, will lead efforts to digitize VUMC’s glass pathology slides across oncology, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Implementing Pramana’s digital pathology solution allows VUMC researchers to access a new modality of digitized patient data.

    “Joining with nference is a VUMC strategic initiative to improve health care for patients everywhere through accelerated discoveries derived from our de-identified electronic health data. Importantly, VUMC’s de-identified clinical data is maintained in a secure VUMC environment that allows our investigators and companies to develop and use algorithm models for innovation. The data-derived knowledge will address unmet medical needs across many diseases,” said Jennifer Pietenpol, PhD, Chief Scientific and Strategy Officer for VUMC and holder of the Brock Family Directorship. The Brock Family Center for Applied Innovation at VUMC is facilitating this collaboration.

    “VUMC is a pivotal new member of our federated network that will expand the diversity of our clinical datasets, helping researchers to better understand underserved populations,” said Murali Aravamudan, co-founder and CEO of nference. “The depth and longitudinal nature of this high-quality data will provide crucial insights into the complexities of disease progression over time. As a result, our platform will accelerate research, drug development and clinical trials, paving the way for advancements in health care.”

    nSights, nference’s AI-enabled clinical analytics platform, offers a dataset across all therapeutic areas, including, but not limited to, cardiology, immunology and rare diseases, enabling life science, biopharmaceutical and medical device companies to leverage real-world data across the product lifecycle. Agreements with premier academic medical centers, like VUMC, have resulted in a rich repository of clinical data, enabling nference to develop algorithms that unlock the potential of federated, de-identified health care data with the power to drive unprecedented insights into human health.

     

    About nference

    Through its powerful technology platform and software, nference is transforming health care by making biomedical knowledge computable. Its partnership with major academic medical centers empowers nference to synthesize decades of institutional knowledge, producing real-world evidence (RWE) in real time by converting large amounts of de-identified data into deep insights to advance discovery and development of diagnostics and therapeutics. Its proprietary AI-enabled software platform, nSights, harnesses the power of federated learning to accelerate life sciences research, development, and clinical care in significant ways, including biomarker discovery and validation, RWE generation leveraging real-world data, early disease detection, public health policy generation and validation, and more. nference is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Follow nference on LinkedIn and Twitter. Visit us at www.nference.com.

     

    About Vanderbilt University Medical Center

    VUMC is the largest comprehensive research, teaching and patient care health system in the Mid-South region, with the highest ranked adult and children’s hospitals in the Southeast by . Based in Nashville, Tennessee, VUMC sees over 3 million patient visits per year in over 200 ambulatory locations, performs 88,000 surgical operations and discharges 80,000 inpatients from its main-campus adult, children’s, psychiatric and rehabilitation hospitals and three regional community hospitals. The Medical Center is the largest non-governmental employer of Middle Tennesseans, with 40,000 staff, including more than 3,000 physicians, advanced practice nurses and scientists appointed to the Vanderbilt University faculty. For more information and the latest news follow VUMC on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and in the VUMC Reporter.

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    Vanderbilt University Medical Center

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  • With Support from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, East Hollywood Community Garden Kicks Off the Summer

    With Support from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, East Hollywood Community Garden Kicks Off the Summer

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    Newswise — East Hollywood (July 24, 2023) – Expanding its commitment to the health and well-being of the people in its community, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles sponsored the Summer Kickoff of the East Hollywood Community Garden, and was joined by more than 100 area residents and CHLA team members at the garden’s recent celebration.

    The event showcased the fertile, green space located right in the middle of East Hollywood, and the opportunity it offers to grow fresh fruits and vegetables while connecting neighbor with neighbor.

    “Thank you to the Los Angeles Community Garden Council for welcoming us to this beautiful space,” says Ellen Zaman, Executive Director for External Affairs at CHLA. “In addition to providing medical care to many children in the community, CHLA strives to create hope and build healthier futures for children, and this mission includes supporting community health, wellness, happiness and good nutrition. This garden is an oasis and sanctuary for the East Hollywood community, and we are looking forward to a long partnership.”   

    CHLA’s participation as a garden sponsor represented another step in the hospital’s efforts as a food access hub, reducing food insecurity by increasing the availability of high-quality, nutritious food, says David Valdez, Project Manager in the hospital’s Office of Community Affairs. “Community gardens are a gift to the neighborhood,” he says. “We are widening access to sources of fresh produce, promoting food harvesting, encouraging healthy eating, and improving nutrition education throughout the areas in which we work and live.”

    CHLA’s involvement in the East Hollywood Community Garden is part of a collaboration with the Los Angeles Community Garden Council (LACGC), which governs 42 community gardens across the city. Independently, CHLA partnered with Los Angeles City College in 2021 to build “The City’s Garden” on the school’s campus. “We’re supporting the creation of a network of gardens,” Valdez says. “That’s the goal.”

    The Summer Kickoff served as a kind of post-pandemic grand reopening for the East Hollywood Community Garden, which had been unable to host any large gatherings for the past three years. Since July 2019, the garden has been a place where individuals can lease a plot of soil and grow their own fruits and vegetables while sharing gardening tips and enjoying the company of their fellow community members. Visitors who don’t have their own plots can harvest produce in areas designated for communal gardening.

    One of the event’s objectives was simply to bring the garden to the community’s attention. “It was surprising to hear the number of individuals not aware of the garden” Valdez says.

    The garden is adjacent to Madison Avenue Public Park and is surrounded by apartment buildings, sitting right behind the Hollywood Hotel. It’s a short distance from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, a walk Valdez has made many times himself.

    Visitors mill around the East Hollywood Community Garden, a place to grow one’s own fruits and vegetables while mingling with neighbors. He explains that another benefit of these produce gardens is the food education they provide. He gives an example of a young boy who had never seen such dark-green lettuce—which wasn’t lettuce at all, he learned. It was kale.

    “Exposing individuals to new foods, new fruits and vegetables that they might not be aware of or that they might not be used to eating, is important,” Valdez says. “It creates opportunities for new tastes and flavors while also educating individuals about health advantages associated with food choices.”

    He says the ultimate goal of the East Hollywood Community Garden is to relieve food insecurity by making fresh and nutritious foods more available to those who typically don’t have enough access to them. “Helping reduce food insecurity is a great way to effect change for the good of our local neighborhoods and communities.”

    About Children’s Hospital Los Angeles 

    Founded in 1901, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is the largest provider of hospital care for children in California. Renowned pediatric experts work together across disciplines to deliver inclusive and compassionate health care to one of the world’s most diverse populations, driving advances that set child health standards across the nation and around the globe. With a mission to create hope and build healthier futures for children, the hospital consistently ranks in the top 10 in the nation, No. 1 in California and No. 1 in the Pacific U.S. region on U.S. News & World Report’s Honor Roll of Best Children’s Hospitals. The Saban Research Institute of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles supports the full continuum of child health research and is among the top 10 pediatric academic medical centers for National Institutes of Health funding, meaning physicians and scientists translate discoveries into treatments and bring answers to families faster. Home to one of the largest pediatric training programs in the United States, Children’s Hospital graduates a new class of physicians each year who have learned world-class children’s health care at the forefront of medicine. And as an anchor institution, the hospital strengthens the economic health of surrounding communities by fighting food insecurity, enhancing health education and literacy, and introducing early careerists to health care. To learn more, follow CHLA on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter, and visit CHLA.org/blog. 

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    Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

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  • Extensive Study Reveals Vaccination Numbers Required to Prevent COVID-19 Hospitalizations and ED Visits

    Extensive Study Reveals Vaccination Numbers Required to Prevent COVID-19 Hospitalizations and ED Visits

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    Newswise — An analysis of real-world data from more than 1.2 million patients from health systems in four geographically dispersed states — Indiana, Oregon, Texas and Utah — conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s VISION Network, has determined both the number of adults needed to be vaccinated to prevent one COVID-19 associated hospitalization and the number needed to be vaccinated to prevent one COVID-19 associated emergency department (ED) visit.

    This study is one of the first, largest and most comprehensive studies to present clear measurement, by age groups, of how widespread vaccination needs to be to provide protection against serious and moderate disease in adults.

    Preventing a hospitalization indicates that vaccination provided protection against severe disease. Preventing an ED visit indicates that vaccination provided protection against moderate disease.

    “The number needed to be vaccinated or more technically, ‘number needed to vaccinate,’ comes from the related concept of ‘number needed to treat’ — how many must be treated to avoid one bad outcome. One can think of number needed to treat or vaccinate as similar to how much gas you need, or how hard you need to push on the gas pedal to accelerate,” said study co-author Shaun Grannis, M.D., M.S., Regenstrief Institute Vice President for Data and Analytics and the Regenstrief Professor of Medical Informatics at Indiana University of School of Medicine. “Knowing the number of patients who need to be vaccinated is a way of measuring how effective the vaccine is. The lower the number of patients needed to be vaccinated, the more effective the vaccine. If we can prevent more hospitalizations with fewer vaccinations, that’s important to know.  

    “Knowing the number of patients needed to be vaccinated helps us plan on the volume of vaccine needed and the type of awareness and education that we want to provide. This number informs decision-making processes by public health officials, vaccine producers, health systems and others.”

    The study found that the number of patients needed to be vaccinated to prevent one COVID-19-associated hospitalization was higher than the number needed to vaccinate to prevent one COVID-19 associated ED visit, reflecting differences in outcome severity. These numbers were dependent on patient risk factors as well as local disease incidence.

    The number needed to be vaccinated to prevent one COVID-19-associated hospitalization ranged from 44 to 615 (median was 205) individuals and was lower for adults aged 65 years or older and for those with underlying medical conditions. The number needed to be vaccinated decreased as the population became older because older individuals are more susceptible to the adverse effects of the virus and, therefore, the vaccine provides greater protection.

    The number of patients needed to be vaccinated to prevent COVID-19-associated ED visits showed a different pattern because vaccines were more effective at preventing ED visits among younger adults than older ones. The median number needed to be vaccinated to prevent one ED visit ranged from 75 to 592 (median was 156) individuals.

    Information from patients who had received either two or three mRNA vaccine doses was analyzed. None were immunocompromised. Data was from December 2021- February 2022, a period of Omicron BA.1 variant predominance.

    “The reason why the number of patients needed to be vaccinated to prevent a COVID-19 related hospitalization is different from the number needed to prevent an ED (Emergency Department) visit is not fully understood, but it is likely because of how people seek healthcare. Many people, especially younger ones who lack health insurance or Medicare, are more likely to use the ED for primary healthcare. On the other hand, older people usually go to their regular doctor instead of going to the ED,” Dr. Grannis observed.

    “Number needed to vaccinate with a COVID-19 booster to prevent a COVID-19-associated hospitalization during SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 variant predominance, December 2021-February 2022, VISION Network: a retrospective cohort study” is published in The Lancet Regional Health–Americas.

    Regenstrief Institute co-authors, in addition to Dr. Grannis, are Interim Director of the Center for Biomedical Informatics Brian Dixon, PhD, MPA; William F. Fadel, PhD and Nimish R. Valvi, DrPH. Peter Embí, M.D., former president of the Regenstrief Institute and current affiliated scientist, is also a co-author.

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    Regenstrief Institute

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  • AACC Rebrands to the Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine

    AACC Rebrands to the Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine

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    Newswise — ANAHEIM—AACC, a global scientific and medical professional organization dedicated to better health through laboratory medicine, is pleased to announce a name change to the Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine. 

    This new name reflects the association’s role as advocate and champion for a larger community who specialize in diagnostics and laboratory medicine, as well as the global reach of the organization. 

    While AACC has been the professional home for clinical chemists since it began, over the years the association’s programs have grown in their appeal to other specialty areas working in or adjacent to the clinical lab. Today, the association is already broadly serving those who work in or with the clinical laboratory.

    On April 21, AACC held a member vote on the proposal to change the name of the association from AACC to the Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (ADLM). When final votes were tabulated, the motion was carried with more than a two-thirds majority voting to approve AACC becoming the Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine.

    “I’m proud to say that this change has come about by listening to our members and focusing on the best way to ensure a bright future for our profession,” said association president Dr. Shannon Haymond. “This name change does not represent a change of direction for the association. Instead, it more accurately reflects an evolution within the field and the association that has long been underway. As we evolve into this new branding, I’d like to emphasize that the goal of the new brand is to broaden our invitation to collaborate, not narrow it.”

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    About the Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (ADLM) 

    Dedicated to achieving better health through laboratory medicine, ADLM (formerly AACC) brings together more than 70,000 clinical laboratory professionals, physicians, research scientists, and business leaders from around the world focused on clinical chemistry, molecular diagnostics, mass spectrometry, translational medicine, lab management, and other areas of progressing laboratory science. Since 1948, ADLM has worked to advance the common interests of the field, providing programs that advance scientific collaboration, knowledge, expertise, and innovation. For more information, visit www.myadlm.org. 

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    American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC)

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  • Two in three cosmetic surgery injections in the UK are not administered by doctors

    Two in three cosmetic surgery injections in the UK are not administered by doctors

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    Newswise — According to an analysis of the UK’s cosmetic injectables industry by UCL researchers, 68% of cosmetic practitioners who are administering injections such as Botox are not qualified medical doctors.

    The study, published in the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, is the first survey of who is providing cosmetic injectable services, such as Botulinum Toxin (Botox) and Dermal Fillers, in the UK. Currently, little is known about the background qualifications, training and experience levels of those who are administering treatments.

    To fill this knowledge gap, researchers from UCL evaluated 3,000 websites to identify 1,224 independent clinics and 3,667 practitioners who were delivering cosmetic injections such as Botox.

    Of the professions represented, 32% were doctors, 13% were nurses, 24% were dentists and 8% were dental nurses. Of the 1,163 doctors identified, 41% were on the specialist register and 19% were on the GP register. Among the 27 specialties represented on the specialist register, Plastic Surgery was the largest group (37%) followed by Dermatology (18%).

    The UK injectables market is predicted to reach a value of £11.7 billion by 2026, but to date is effectively unregulated. The UK government is preparing to update policy around injectables, with a public consultation on the industry due to begin in August 2023. Recommendations are expected to inform amendments to the Medical Act in 2024.

    Dr David Zargaran (UCL Plastic Surgery), an author of the study, said: “There are well-documented, yet to date unaddressed challenges in the UK cosmetic injectables market. Without knowledge of the professional backgrounds of practitioners, we cannot adequately regulate the industry. Our research highlights that the majority of practitioners are not doctors and include other healthcare professionals, as well as non-healthcare professionals such as beauticians.

    “The range of backgrounds opens a broader question relating to competence and consent. One of the key challenges facing the government’s licensing scheme is to ensure that practitioners granted a licence possess the skills and experience required to safely administer their treatment to minimise risks to patients.

    “It is important for patients to be able to feel comfortable and confident that the person administering their treatment is competent in the procedure as a fundamental foundation of informed consent. This research provides a unique insight into the sector to help inform regulators and patients, and work towards a safer and more transparent cosmetic injectables industry in the UK.”

    As well as the professional background of those providing cosmetic injections, until recently there has been little research on the incidence of complications and the impact that these have upon patients. A second study from the same authors, published on 3 July 2023, found that 69% of respondents to the study had experienced long-lasting adverse effects, such as pain, anxiety and headaches.

    Professor Julie Davies (UCL School Global Business School for Health), a co-author of the study, commented: “The UK cosmetic injectables industry has expanded rapidly in recent years. This has happened largely without scrutiny or oversight. Our findings should be a wake-up call for legislators to implement effective regulation and professional standards to safeguard patients from complications. Although the risks associated with injections are often mild and temporary, the physical complications can be permanent and debilitating. There are also serious psychological, emotional, and financial consequences for patients when procedures go wrong.”

    The work was supported by a research grant from QUAD A.

    Publication:

    David Zargaran et al. ‘Profiling UK injectable aesthetic practitioners: a national cohort analysis’ is published in the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery and is strictly embargoed until 24 July 2023 00:01 GMT / 23 July 19:01 ET

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2023.06.057

    About UCL – London’s Global University

    UCL is a diverse global community of world-class academics, students, industry links, external partners, and alumni. Our powerful collective of individuals and institutions work together to explore new possibilities.

    Since 1826, we have championed independent thought by attracting and nurturing the world’s best minds. Our community of more than 50,000 students from 150 countries and over 16,000 staff pursues academic excellence, breaks boundaries and makes a positive impact on real world problems.

    We are consistently ranked among the top 10 universities in the world and are one of only a handful of institutions rated as having the strongest academic reputation and the broadest research impact.

    We have a progressive and integrated approach to our teaching and research – championing innovation, creativity and cross-disciplinary working. We teach our students how to think, not what to think, and see them as partners, collaborators and contributors.  

    For almost 200 years, we are proud to have opened higher education to students from a wide range of backgrounds and to change the way we create and share knowledge.

    We were the first in England to welcome women to university education and that courageous attitude and disruptive spirit is still alive today. We are UCL.

    www.ucl.ac.uk | Follow @uclnews on Twitter | Read news at www.ucl.ac.uk/news/ | Listen to UCL podcasts on SoundCloud | Find out what’s on at UCL Minds

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    University College London

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  • Oregon Patients Access to Quality Anesthesia Care Protected with Signing of HB 3425

    Oregon Patients Access to Quality Anesthesia Care Protected with Signing of HB 3425

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    Newswise — ROSEMONT, Ill.  The state of Oregon took a significant step towards streamlining anesthesia care for patients with the signing of House Bill 3425 by Governor Tina Kotek on July 18. This landmark legislation repeals redundant provisions and provides clear guidelines for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) practicing in the state.

    The bill reaffirms the Oregon State Board of Nursing’s authority to establish rules regarding CRNA scope of practice, ensuring safe and effective anesthesia care for patients.

    “State nursing boards are uniquely qualified to oversee the practice of nursing,” Oregon Association of Nurse Anesthetists (ORANA) President Andrea Hargis, DNP, CRNA said. “Nursing boards understand the nurse-patient relationship and honor the expert care provided by nurses. We thank Gov. Kotek for preserving this important relationship.”

    Oregon opted-out of federal physician supervision requirements for CRNAs in 2003, recognizing their expertise and capabilities. As of 2023, 24 states plus Guam have taken this action in acknowledgment of CRNAs as highly skilled healthcare professionals capable of providing safe and quality care independently.

    CRNAs provide all aspects of superior anesthesia throughout Oregon. Nationally, CRNAs safely administer more than 50 million anesthetics to patients each year working in every setting in which anesthesia is delivered.  CRNAs are the primary providers of anesthesia care in rural settings, enabling facilities in these medically underserved areas to offer obstetrical, surgical, pain management, and trauma stabilization services. CRNAs have full practice authority in the Army, Navy, and Air Force and are the predominant provider of anesthesia on forward surgical teams and in combat support hospitals.

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    American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology

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  • At an event in California, a Brazilian health tech company presented its exclusive technology for blood tests with AI, delivering results within 30 minutes

    At an event in California, a Brazilian health tech company presented its exclusive technology for blood tests with AI, delivering results within 30 minutes

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    Newswise — During the AACC – Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo, held in Anaheim, California (USA) from July 23rd to 27th, the Brazilian health tech company Hilab, specializing in clinical analysis tests, participated in the congress alongside ABIMO – Brazilian Association of Medical Devices Industry. The company showcased innovative solutions for the healthcare industry, including two notable launches and the world’s only point-of-care Hemogram device capable of delivering a complete blood count with the assistance of AI and other technologies within 30 minutes.

    The Hilab Lens, the smallest point-of-care device for a complete blood count, represents a significant breakthrough in the field of digital microscopy. According to information from ANS- National Health Agency, this test is requested in nearly half of medical orders, as it can identify hundreds of diseases.

    The device works by healthcare professionals collecting a blood sample from the fingertip, similar to rapid glucose tests. The extracted sample is placed in a capsule and inserted into the device. The sample information is sent via the Internet of Things to the company’s central laboratory, where the test is verified first by Artificial Intelligence and then by a specialized healthcare professional in hematology. Finally, the test results are sent to the patient’s mobile phone via SMS and email, all within half an hour, while traditional methods take approximately 12 to 48 hours.

    Bernardo Almeida, an infectious disease physician, and Chief Medical Officer of Hilab, explains that “the complete blood count is so popular because it evaluates the quantity and quality of the main blood components, supporting the assessment and monitoring of acute infectious conditions, anemia evaluation, as well as assessing overall health. With the test’s ease and speed, medical professionals and patients can benefit from the prompt delivery of results in both routine and emergency cases.”

    The efficiency of the device was demonstrated through a pilot operation at the Brazilian hospital Erasto Gaetner, a reference institution for the clinical and surgical treatment of oncology patients in Curitiba (PR). Moreover, its theses were presented and validated in articles published by Nature, one of the most relevant scientific journals in the world. Today, the device is already in use in various healthcare facilities across the country, including occupational medicine companies, clinics, and other locations.

    Additionally, Hilab will introduce two new devices at the event: the Hilab Volt and the Hilab Wave. These compact devices will also operate remotely connected via the internet to the health tech’s central laboratory. The Hilab Volt functions based on electrochemistry and reads an electrode that selectively interacts with the sample, generating a useful analytical electrical signal. It will allow the evaluation of indices such as calcium, sodium, potassium, iron, and glucose, among others. The Hilab Wave operates through spectrophotometry, an optical analysis methodology that quantitatively measures the absorption of light by solutions, used for biological and physicochemical investigations. It enables dozens of tests, including phosphorus, magnesium, cholesterol, Vitamin D, and even the incidence of Malaria.

    “Participating in a scientific and international event of this magnitude reinforces Brazil’s ability to transform the healthcare sector using technology as an ally. For Hilab, as a Brazilian company, this is a particularly special and rewarding moment, marking a positive milestone in their history, indicating that they are on the right path by providing quality and innovative services that can address urgent healthcare access issues worldwide“, says Marcus Figueredo, CEO, and co-founder of Hilab.

    Certifications and Recognitions

    In 2016, the United Nations, in conjunction with DNV-GL, published a report called “Future of Spaceship Earth,” aiming to showcase companies that were creating technologies capable of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Hilab was the only company from South America to be chosen and mentioned in the report.

    Hilab has also received recognition from the Global Entrepreneurship Competition in Barcelona, being among the 16 most promising ventures in the world. Moreover, it was the winner of the Med Tech Awards, a competition seeking companies with innovative solutions in the healthcare sector, organized by the British Government.

    Recently, the company was awarded the MIT Innovative Workplaces seal for its disruptive work in the healthcare sector. The certification from MIT Technology Review, the world’s largest ecosystem for content and innovation, measures the effectiveness of the startup’s innovation-related actions.

     

    About Hilab

    Hilab is a 100% Brazilian health tech founded in Curitiba with headquarters in Manaus, developing national devices and technologies for clinical analysis. Its innovative approach allows tests to be conducted using just a few drops of blood. Hilab’s disruptive model differentiates it from traditional laboratories, eliminating the need to transport biological samples. This innovative approach enables the delivery of results in a matter of minutes, providing a faster and more efficient experience for patients. The company employs an advanced technological platform that integrates Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT), enabling the digitization of tests from anywhere in the world, creating a decentralized laboratory.

    The company also offers the possibility of conducting tests in loco, without the need to send information remotely. Additionally, Hilab revolutionizes the patient experience by providing less uncomfortable and fingertip-based sample collection. With the use of innovative devices, Hilab simplifies the result delivery process, sending reports signed by healthcare professionals directly to the patient’s mobile phone within 30 minutes.

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    2023 AACC Annual Scientific Meeting Press Program

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  • There’s A New Trend In Healthcare That’s Saving Money For Small Businesses | Entrepreneur

    There’s A New Trend In Healthcare That’s Saving Money For Small Businesses | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    I am seeing a growing number of my smaller clients canceling their health insurance plans. Why? Because for them — and others — there’s a better option.

    It’s no secret that providing health insurance is a major — and oftentimes insurmountable cost — for many small business owners. I have a number of clients that contribute to their employees’ healthcare — sometimes as much as 100% for individuals — and this can run tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars every year. And there’s no end in sight.

    A recent survey from employee benefits consultants Buck found that on top of prior year-after-year increases, healthcare costs will go up yet again between 6-7 % – and to many of my clients, that’s a good year! Each year, they’re faced with the same, volatile, uncontrollable and seemingly uncontainable challenge to control these costs and this year is no different. This is why more than half of small businesses find themselves unable to offer health benefits – and lose talent as a result.

    And it’s not just the cost of premiums. There’s also the cost of administrative and lost opportunity time. There’s the seemingly fruitless search for better prices in what is clearly an oligarchic market made up of just a very few large providers. It’s the awkwardness — and potential privacy concerns – of knowing your employees’ health histories which oftentimes figures into the premiums we pay. And it’s the time we spend trying to find alternative ways to make healthcare more affordable through add-on schemes like Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts.

    The good news is that there’s an alternative and a growing number of my clients are learning about it. It’s called Individual Health Reimbursement Accounts — or ICHRAs.

    Related: Healthcare is in Turmoil, But Technology Can Save Businesses Billions

    These types of plans are becoming enormously popular with small businesses. So popular that the Department of Health and Human Services forecasts that approximately 800,000 employers will offer these types of plans to almost 11 million employees over the next few years. A recent report from the HRA Council — a consortium of health benefit firms — found that these types of plans have grown 350% since 2020, and are “doubling on average among all states, with significant growth across all industries, employer types and employee groups” and that companies with 20 or fewer employers are accounting for 90% of their adoption.

    According to Jack Hooper, the chairman of the board for the HRA Council and CEO and founder of benefits administrator Take Command, the number of large employers switching to ICHRAs has grown exponentially but “small and medium-sized businesses are leading the charge to deliver much-needed innovation in the benefits space, consumer empowerment and choice for employees, and cost control and flexibility for employers.”

    Why so popular? ICHRAs not only cut healthcare costs, but they help employers get out of the healthcare business altogether.

    With an ICHRA, you’re likely going to pay the same premiums (it’s up to you), but this time by a contribution to an employee’s account that’s setup under the plan. But that’s it – the rest is up to the employee. Your employee gets reimbursed by you — pretax like any other health plan and you get a tax deduction for your contribution. But now it’s on them to get their own healthcare insurance either through their state or federal healthcare exchange or through an independent insurance broker (some of my clients provide their employees with recommended firms that do this).

    There’s no more deciphering the ins and outs of complicated health plans. There’s no more negotiation with healthcare providers. There are no more privacy issues. There’s no more internal administration (most of my clients outsource this work to firms that handle these plans). Basically, you just reimburse the employee and you’re done with healthcare. Amounts contributed stay with the employer if a worker leaves. And if you’re having a bad year and feel like contributing less, you can do that too without switching plans, although you may suffer the wrath of your workforce, so be careful!

    Related: Health Care Is Now the Top Concern for Small Businesses

    With ICHRAs, employees have more flexibility in their health plan choices and aren’t dependent on what an employer is providing. Remote workers may be able to get better deals on their health insurance depending on what’s offered in their state. They can choose how much they want to spend and their employers can choose to reimburse for additional costs like prescriptions or mental health coverage.

    Because they’re easier to understand and offer a less-expensive option for employees, younger workers are participating in these plans at a rate greater than their older counterparts. The HRA Council report found that 57% of employees accepting an HRA (which includes either ICHRAs or QSEHRAs — a similar, but less flexible plan that an employer can offer directly to workers) to fund their marketplace health insurance are between 18 and 44, with the largest age cohort being 26 through 34 for each year since 2020.

    ICHRAS are “causing a seismic shift in the employer-sponsored group market — addressing employers’ needs to significantly control costs and opening the doors for employees to be more informed healthcare consumers,” John Kelly, CEO and founder of healthcare benefits provider Nexben, a benefits tech firm, told HR Executive. “ICHRAs are the 401(k) of health benefits.”

    Why am I so bullish on these plans? Because they allow even the smallest of businesses to provide some type of healthcare coverage for their existing and prospective employees instead of just throwing up their hands and saying, “we can’t afford this.” In these times of tight labor, you can’t not have an answer when someone asks you about your healthcare benefits. With an ICHRA you’ve got an answer. A good answer. Which is why I’m seeing so many of my clients take advantage of this option over the past few years.

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    Gene Marks

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  • Maryland Patient Safety Center Awards B.I.R.T.H. Equity Maryland Designation to Mercy

    Maryland Patient Safety Center Awards B.I.R.T.H. Equity Maryland Designation to Mercy

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    Newswise — (Elkridge, MD—June 2023) — The Maryland Patient Safety Center (MPSC) has awarded Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, MD, with the B.I.R.T.H. Equity Maryland designation, signifying completion of the B.I.R.T.H. Equity Maryland: Breaking Inequality Reimagining Transformative Healthcare program. This state-wide improvement project was designed by MPSC in partnership with the Maryland Hospital Association (MHA), along with an advisory group of local experts in the fields of maternal health, emergency medicine, family practice, community health, and health equity, with the intent to engage non-obstetric providers on the critical need for knowledge of pregnancy-related complications and awareness of disparities in negative maternal outcomes.

    According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), non-Hispanic Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy related complications as compared with non-Hispanic White women even when adjusting for sociodemographic and reproductive factors. Systemic racism, bias, and discrimination are key drivers of these disparities in outcomes.

    Recent data from the CDC (2022) has shown that 80% of pregnancy related deaths are preventable, of which 53% occur in the postpartum period. Pregnant and postpartum are often seen in primary care offices, clinics, emergency departments, or other community health settings where their obstetric history and early symptoms may be underappreciated. Engaging non-obstetric providers to recognize and address early warning signs and identify and mitigate their biases will amplify the current implicit bias trainings and expansion of perinatal and post-partum resources across the state of Maryland.

    “We applaud Mercy for completing the B.I.R.T.H. Equity Maryland training and taking the necessary steps to empower the patient voice at all levels of care,” said Dr. Blair Eig, President and CEO of the Maryland Patient Safety Center. “Aiding non-obstetric providers in identifying pregnancy-related complications that may otherwise go undetected will positively impact so many families in their community”.

    “Mercy is committed to improving birth equity. This designation is indicative of our ongoing efforts to ensure equitable access to healthcare for all families in our community, and reaffirms Mercy’s dedication to eliminating disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes,” said Robert O. Atlas, M.D., Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Mercy and a key leader within Mercy’s Family Childbirth and Children’s Center.

    To earn the B.I.R.T.H. Equity Maryland designation, at least 80% of the Mercy team completed learning around warning signs of obstetric complications, leveraging teamwork and communication strategies, identifying and mitigating biases through training and reflection, and worked to create systems to support safe care for birthing people.

    “We are thrilled to be leading this important initiative to increase awareness of disparities in maternal outcomes and the impact of racism and bias on maternal health. Our aim is to support the creation of systems of safer care” said Dr. Adriane Burgess, Director of Perinatal and Neonatal Quality and Patient Safety at MPSC. “The United States has the highest rate of maternal mortality of all industrialized countries we know it will take innovative approaches and a collective determination across the entire health care continuum to reverse this trend. Thank you to Mercy for their commitment to moving Maryland forward and keeping patients safe.”

    Founded in 1874 in downtown Baltimore City by the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy Medical Center is now home to The Family Childbirth & Children’s Center, a family-centered facility for expectant mothers, newborn babies, pediatric patients, families and visitors, located within Mercy’s award-winning Mary Catherine Bunting Center. Mercy Medical Center provides a team of obstetricians and certified nurse midwives as well as helpful amenities, programs and education for mothers, fathers and families as they prepare for pregnancy, birth and the transition to parenthood.

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    Mercy Medical Center

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  • J&J Issued $18.8M Talc Verdict, Suing Biden Administration | Entrepreneur

    J&J Issued $18.8M Talc Verdict, Suing Biden Administration | Entrepreneur

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    On Tuesday, John & Johnson (J&J) filed a lawsuit suing the Biden administration over Medicare’s new authority to reduce drug prices, joining Merck and Bristol Myers Squibb in challenging the controversial provision of the Inflation Reduction Act.

    The Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law in August 2022, aims to fight inflation, lower the deficit, and reduce carbon emissions, among other goals. It includes reforms to the tax system, investments in clean energy, and allows Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices.

    The lawsuit argues that the IRA Medicare price negotiations violate the First and Fifth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution by “coercing” the company into “agreeing” that the government is “negotiating” a “fair” price and compels the company “to make false and misleading statements,” according to the complaint.

    Additionally, the company believes that the IRA will stifle medical progress.

    “We believe that the IRA’s pricing provisions will constrain medical innovation, limit patient access and choice, and negatively impact the overall quality of patient care,” J&J wrote in a press release on Tuesday.

    The U.S. Health and Human Services Department said it will “vigorously defend the President’s drug price negotiation law, which is already helping to lower health care costs for seniors and people with disabilities,” per CNBC.

    How Much Did J&J Pay for Talc Cancer Lawsuit?

    Also on Tuesday, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) was ordered to pay $18.8 million to a California man who claimed he developed cancer from using the company’s baby powder, Reuters reported.

    Emory Hernandez Valadez, 24, filed a lawsuit last year against J&J claiming he developed mesothelioma due to prolonged exposure to the company’s talc since childhood.

    Related: Johnson & Johnson Ordered to Pay $55 Million in Talc-Powder Trial

    Talc is a soft mineral used in various consumer products like baby powder and cosmetics for its ability to absorb moisture and reduce friction. However, its use has also been subject to controversy, particularly with J&J, which has faced thousands of lawsuits alleging its talc-based products are contaminated with cancer-causing asbestos.

    In April, the company filed for bankruptcy through a subsidiary, LTL Management, with a proposal to settle over 38,000 lawsuits for $8.9 billion. However, most litigation has been halted during bankruptcy proceedings. The reason Hernandez’s trial proceeded was due to his terminal condition and the rarity of his form of mesothelioma, setting it apart from the majority of cases against J&J, Reuters added.

    The jury ruled in favor of Hernandez on Tuesday. While Hernandez was awarded damages for medical bills and strife, the jury did not grant punitive damages against J&J.

    The company plans to appeal the verdict, maintaining that its products are safe and do not cause cancer, per Reuters.

    Erik Haas, J&J vice president of litigation, told the outlet that the verdict is “irreconcilable with the decades of independent scientific evaluations confirming Johnson’s Baby Powder is safe, does not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer.”

    Related: Johnson & Johnson Hit With More Than $1 Billion Verdict on Hip Implants

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    Madeline Garfinkle

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  • AANA Appoints Amy Sherwood as Chief Membership Officer

    AANA Appoints Amy Sherwood as Chief Membership Officer

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    Newswise — ROSEMONT, Ill. — The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) has named Amy Sherwood, CAE to serve as AANA’s Chief Membership Officer. She will report to Chief Executive Officer Bill Bruce.

    Sherwood is responsible for developing and executing the strategies necessary to support AANA’s state associations, their leadership and viability as well as AANA overall membership. 

    “With nearly two decades of association leadership experience, Amy is a proven association leader with experience not just in implementing best practices, but leading groups in continuous improvements and creating member value,” said Bruce. “Her vast association leadership knowledge will add value not just to AANA, but to all our state associations.” 

    Sherwood most recently served as the executive director for the Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses where she led the group through the development and execution of a multi-year strategy plan. From 2015-2020 she was the director of society management services at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, orchestrating the management of 14 independent societies, including serving as interim executive director for several.

    Sherwood is a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the Association Forum of Chicagoland. She was honored by the Association Forum as an Inspiring Leader in 2022 and one of its Forty Under 40 in 2014.

    “I am honored to be chosen to lead the membership division of AANA and look forward to working with AANA members and staff to ensure our state association and member experience is consistent with the mission and core values of the organization,” Sherwood said. “Strong membership on both the state and national level is vital to the success of any association, and I am thrilled to be chosen to continue that work at AANA.”

    Sherwood earned a bachelor’s degree in organizational/corporate communications at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb and has achieved the Certified Association Executive credential from ASAE.

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    American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology

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  • Women less likely to be routed to comprehensive stroke centers for large vessel acute ischemic stroke, according to UTHealth Houston research

    Women less likely to be routed to comprehensive stroke centers for large vessel acute ischemic stroke, according to UTHealth Houston research

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    Newswise — Despite having worse stroke symptoms and living within comparable distances to comprehensive stroke centers, women with large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke are less likely to be routed to the centers compared to men, according to a new study from UTHealth Houston.

    Led by corresponding author Sunil Sheth, MD, associate professor of neurology and director of the vascular neurology program with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, and senior author Youngran Kim, PhD, assistant professor of management, policy, and community health with UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, the study was published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

    Large vessel occlusion stroke occurs when a major artery in the brain is blocked. They are considered one of the more severe kinds of strokes, accounting for an estimated 24% to 46% of acute ischemic strokes.

    “Timely treatment of stroke is incredibly important; the faster a doctor is able to get the vessel open, the better the patient’s chance of having a good outcome. These routing systems in hospitals are designed to get patients to the best care as quickly as possible,” Sheth said. “We don’t know exactly why women were less likely than men to be routed to comprehensive stroke centers, but we do know that gender is an implicit bias. Getting to the granular level of what went into a hospital’s routing decision will be very important for future studies.”

    Researchers identified consecutive patients with large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke from a prospectively collected multi-hospital registry for the Greater Houston area from January 2019 to June 2020. They compared prehospital routing of men and women to centers capable of performing endovascular therapy to remove the clot blocking the artery. Among 503 patients, 82% were routed to comprehensive stroke centers. Women made up 46% of the study participants.

    Compared with men, women with large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke were older (73 versus 65) and presented with a greater National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) Score (14 versus 12), meaning their symptoms were worse. After adjusting for differences in stroke type, age, travel distance, and other relevant factors, women with large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke were approximately 9% less likely than men to be routed to comprehensive stroke centers.

    “The greater NIHSS score in women may be partially attributed to their older age, as age itself is a known contributing factor to sex differences in stroke severity,” Kim said. “Moreover, elderly women are more likely to live alone and experience social isolation, which can result in delayed recognition of stroke symptoms and subsequent delays in seeking medical attention.”

    Additionally, patients living within a 10-mile distance to the nearest comprehensive stroke center were 38% more likely to be routed to one.

    Stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death for women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and because women generally live longer than men, more women have strokes over their lifetimes.

    Previous studies have shown that women with acute ischemic stroke were less likely than men to receive the clot-busting intravenous tissue-plasminogen activator (tPA) treatment, and that women with stroke are 33% more likely to be misdiagnosed with non-stroke related issues, such as headache or dizziness.

    “Older age at onset and severe stroke in women, compounded by a higher likelihood of age-related risk factors, can contribute to the higher rate of death from stroke and higher risk for disability after stroke in women,” Kim said. “Therefore, appropriate triage and prehospital routing can be even more critical for women. Whether large vessel occlusions in women are less likely to be identified using current screening tools due to older age, premorbidity, or nontraditional symptoms needs to be investigated.”

    Muhammad Tariq, MD, chief resident in the Department of Neurology at McGovern Medical School, was first author on the study. Other co-authors with McGovern Medical School’s neurology department included student Iman Ali, BS; resident Sergio Salazar-Marioni, MD; research coordinator Ananya Iyyangar, BSA; research coordinator Hussain Azeem, BS; resident Swapnil Khose, MD; research assistant Rania Abdelkhaleq, MPH; and Louise McCullough, MD, PhD, professor and chair of the department and the Roy M. and Phyllis Gough Huffington Distinguished Chair at McGovern Medical School. Abdelkhaleq is also a student at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health. McCullough is a member of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

    Also co-authoring the study was Victor Lopez, MD, a resident at Emory School of Medicine.

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    University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

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  • Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, Lockheed, Masimo, Novartis, and More Stock Market Movers

    Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, Lockheed, Masimo, Novartis, and More Stock Market Movers

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    This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. To order presentation-ready copies for distribution to your colleagues, clients or customers visit http://www.djreprints.com.

    https://www.barrons.com/articles/stock-market-movers-98396473

    • Order Reprints
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  • متلازمة الفم الحارق: لماذا يُعالج الأطباء ألم الحرق بالمزيد من الحرارة

    متلازمة الفم الحارق: لماذا يُعالج الأطباء ألم الحرق بالمزيد من الحرارة

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    Newswise — لندن – تشيع هَبَّات الحرارة وتقلبات المزاج ومشكلات النوم مع اقتراب المرأة من سن نقطاع الطمث وتجاوزه. حالة أخرى أقل شيوعًا ولكنها مؤلمة يمكن أن تصيب النساء في فترة ما قبل انقطاع الطمث وبعد انقطاع الطمث هي: متلازمة الفم الحارق. يصف الدكتور سرمد سامي، بكالوريوس الطب والجراحة،، طبيب الجهاز الهضمي في مايو كلينك للرعاية الصحية في لندن، الحالة المؤلمة وكيف يتم تشخيصها ولماذا يعالج الأطباء الألم الحارق بحرارة المذاق الحارّ أحيانًا.

    يقول الدكتور سامي “يمكن أن تؤثر متلازمة الفم الحارق على البلع والأكل والكلام والنوم”. “هناك أكثر من مجرد شعور غير مريح في فمك. وبالإضافة إلى تأثيرها على جودة حياتك، يمكن أن تؤثر على جوانب مختلفة من صحتك.”

    يمكن أن تشمل متلازمة الفم الحارق الفم شعورًا حارقًا في اللسان أو الشفتين أو اللثة أو الحلق أو سقف الفم. توجد أعراض أخرى قد تشمل الشعور بالعطش وجفاف الفم أو الإحساس بطعم مرارة أو مذاق معدني في الفم أو فقدان حاسة التذوق والشعور بالتنميل أو اللسع أو الخَدَر في الفم. يمكن أن يختلف تكرار الأعراض على نطاق واسع، من يوميًا طوال اليوم إلى متقطع. 

    يقول الدكتور سامي إن العلاج يتضمن معالجة الأعراض والسبب. فعلى سبيل المثال، إذا كان من المحتمل أن تكون متلازمة الفم الحارق مرتبطة بانقطاع الطمث، فقد يُساعد العلاج بالهرمونات البديلة. تشمل الحالات الكامنة المحتملة الأخرى الارتجاع المعدي المريئي، ومشكلات الغدة الدرقية، ونقص الفيتامينات، والتهيج الناجم عن معجون الأسنان وغسول الفم الحمضي أو الأطعمة والمشروبات الحمضية. وليس دومًا يمكن تحديد السبب.

    يقول الدكتور سامي: “نستخدم الأدوية بشكل أساسي لتهدئة الأعصاب والمستشعرات في الفم، لأننا نعتقد أن هناك حساسية مفرطة”. “يمكن أن يسببها التوتر أيضًا، لذلك قد نستخدم علاجات تكميلية مثل الوخز بالإبر.”

    قد تشمل العلاجات الأخرى الصلصة الحارة، والمعروفة أيضًا باسم صلصة الفلفل: “توجد بها مواد كيميائية معينة تساعد في تقليل الحساسية. قد تبدو الصلصة الحارة غير منطقية، لكنها تحتوي على مادة الكابسيسين، والتي يمكن أن تساعد في تخفيف الألم الحارق في الأعصاب،” كما يقول الدكتور سامي.

    تشمل العوامل التي تضع الأشخاص في أعلى خطورة للإصابة بالفم الحارق أن تكون أنثى، أو في فترة ما قبل انقطاع الطمث أو بعد انقطاع الطمث، أو أكبر من 50 عامًا، والتدخين. تشمل العوامل الثانوية التي يمكن أن تزيد من المخاطر المرض الحديث، الحالات الطبية مثل الألم الليفي العضلي، وداء باركنسون، ومرض في المناعة الذاتية والاعتلال العصبي، والخضوع لإجراءات في الأسنان وتفاعلات تحسُّسية من الطعام، أدوية معينة، والتوتر والقلق والاكتئاب وأحداث حياتية صادمة.

    بالإضافة إلى العلاج الطبي، يمكن تخفيف أعراض الفم الحارق عن طريق تغيير نمط الحياة وإجراءات أخرى للمساعدة الذاتية. وهي تشمل شرب الكثير من السوائل، وامتصاص رقائق الثلج، وتجنب الأطعمة والسوائل الحمضية مثل الطماطم وعصير البرتقال والمشروبات الغازية والقهوة، وتجنب الكحول وتجنب الأطعمة الغنية بالتوابل، والامتناع عن استهلاك منتجات التبغ، وتجنب المنتجات التي تحتوي على القرفة أو النعناع، واستخدام معاجين أسنان خفيفة أو خالية من النكهات. ويمكن للاسترخاء وتقليل التوتر المساعدة أيضًا في تخفيف الأعراض. 

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    نبذة عن مايو كلينك للرعاية الصحية
    مايو كلينك للرعاية الصحية، الموجودة في لندن، هي شركة فرعية مملوكة بالكامل لـ مايو كلينك، وهي مركز طبي أكاديمي غير هادف للربح. تُصنَّف مايو كلينك في الولايات المتحدة في المرتبة الأولى في تخصصات كثيرة أكثر من أي مستشفى آخر وفقًا لتقرير يو إس نيوز آند وورد ريبورت بسبب: جودة الرعاية. مايو كلينك للرعاية الصحية هي المدخل في المملكة المتحدة لتلك التجربة التي لا مثيل لها. تفضل بزيارة مايو كلينك للرعاية الصحية لمزيد من المعلومات.

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    Mayo Clinic

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  • The highest rates of Alzheimer’s are in these U.S. counties, new research shows

    The highest rates of Alzheimer’s are in these U.S. counties, new research shows

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    The eastern and southeastern United States have the highest prevalences of Alzheimer’s dementia, according to new research released Monday at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Amsterdam. 

    The study, by researchers at Rush Medical College in Chicago, includes county-level estimates of Alzheimer’s rates among adults age 65 and older in all 3,142 U.S. counties. 

    Among…

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  • DOPS Researchers to Participate in 2023 IANDS Conference

    DOPS Researchers to Participate in 2023 IANDS Conference

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    Newswise — CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. – The University of Virginia’s Department of Perceptual Studies (DOPS) today announced three members of their research faculty will be presenting across four events at the 2023 International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS) Conference, held August 30-September 3, 2023 in Washington, D.C. 

    Dr. Bruce Greyson will deliver the keynote address at IANDS: “Beyond ‘After’: All the news that’s not fit to print,” in which Dr. Greyson will address readers’ most common questions regarding his book, After. A leading researcher in the study of near-death experiences, After reveals Dr. Greyson’s journey toward rethinking the nature of death, life, and the continuity of consciousness across more than four decades of research.

    Dr. Greyson will also participate in a panel discussion: “End of Life Experiences: Evidence for terminal lucidity in children and adults.” Terminal lucidity refers to an event in which people with terminal illnesses paired with organic brain impairment have a period of lucid communication in the days prior to physical death. 

    Dr. Marieta Pehlivanova will deliver a presentation: “Physicians and the Near-Death Experience.” Dr. Pehlivanova will share preliminary research data regarding the barriers physicians perceive in their communication with patients about near-death experiences (NDE). 

    Dr. Kim Penberthy will present “Near-Death Experiences and After-Death Communications: A discussion and personal experience of loving impact.” Dr. Penberthy will offer a discussion of her research as well as observations of the impact of reported personal experiences related to after-death communication.

    “My colleagues and I are excited to present our latest research on NDEs and altered states of consciousness to a network of people who are deeply invested in understanding not only the how and why behind these phenomena but also the significant impact on their lives and the people in their lives,” said Dr. Greyson. “We are learning more every day, and as a team we at DOPS continue to push the boundaries of understanding from a science-based approach.” 

    About IANDS

    Founded in 1981, IANDS is a membership-based, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that promotes research, education, and support around near-death experiences and related experiences. Their mission is to advance a global understanding of these experiences. 

    The theme of this year’s IANDS Conference is “Inspired to Loving Action” and will take place August 30 – September 3, 2023 at the Doubletree by Hilton Washington D.C. – Crystal City. The conference will feature expert speakers, workshops, a sharing lounge, film premiers, and opportunities for networking. For more information on the event and registration information, visit https://conference.iands.org/.

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    About the Division of Perceptual Studies

    Founded in 1967 by Dr. Ian Stevenson, the UVA Division of Perceptual Studies (DOPS) is a highly productive university-based research group devoted to the investigation of phenomena that challenge mainstream scientific paradigms regarding the nature of human consciousness. DOPS researchers objectively document and carefully analyze data collected regarding extraordinary human experiences.

    The DOPS core research mission is the rigorous evaluation of empirical evidence for exceptional human experiences and capacities that bear on whether mind and brain are distinct and separable and whether consciousness survives physical death.

    Also in our research, we examine the impact of these experiences on individuals and the general public, explore the implications for scientific theory, and disseminate this information broadly to the public as well as to scientific communities.

    Learn more at https://med.virginia.edu/perceptual-studies

     

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    University of Virginia Division of Perceptual Studies

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  • Assessment of Lung Cancer Risk Among Smokers for Whom Annual Screening Is Not Recommended

    Assessment of Lung Cancer Risk Among Smokers for Whom Annual Screening Is Not Recommended

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    Abstract

    Importance: The US Preventive Services Task Force does not recommend annual lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for adults aged 50 to 80 years who are former smokers with 20 or more pack-years of smoking who quit 15 or more years ago or current smokers with less than 20 pack-years of smoking.

    Objective: To determine the risk of lung cancer in older smokers for whom LDCT screening is not recommended.

    Design, settings, and participants: This cohort study used the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) data sets obtained from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, which also sponsored the study. The CHS enrolled 5888 community-dwelling individuals aged 65 years and older in the US from June 1989 to June 1993 and collected extensive baseline data on smoking history. The current analysis was restricted to 4279 individuals free of cancer who had baseline data on pack-year smoking history and duration of smoking cessation. The current analysis was conducted from January 7, 2022, to May 25, 2022.

    Exposures: Current and prior tobacco use.

    Main outcomes and measures: Incident lung cancer during a median (IQR) of 13.3 (7.9-18.8) years of follow-up (range, 0 to 22.6) through December 31, 2011. A Fine-Gray subdistribution hazard model was used to estimate incidence of lung cancer in the presence of competing risk of death. Cox cause-specific hazard regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for incident lung cancer.

    Results: There were 4279 CHS participants (mean [SD] age, 72.8 [5.6] years; 2450 [57.3%] women; 663 [15.5%] African American, 3585 [83.8%] White, and 31 [0.7%] of other race or ethnicity) included in the current analysis. Among the 861 nonheavy smokers (<20 pack-years), the median (IQR) pack-year smoking history was 7.6 (3.3-13.5) pack-years for the 615 former smokers with 15 or more years of smoking cessation, 10.0 (5.3-14.9) pack-years for the 146 former smokers with less than 15 years of smoking cessation, and 11.4 (7.3-14.4) pack-years for the 100 current smokers. Among the 1445 heavy smokers (20 or more pack-years), the median (IQR) pack-year smoking history was 34.8 (26.3-48.0) pack-years for the 516 former smokers with 15 or more years of smoking cessation, 48.0 (35.0-70.0) pack-years for the 497 former smokers with less than 15 years of smoking cessation, and 48.8 (31.6-57.0) pack-years for the 432 current smokers. Incident lung cancer occurred in 10 of 1973 never smokers (0.5%), 5 of 100 current smokers with less than 20 pack-years of smoking (5.0%), and 26 of 516 former smokers with 20 or more pack-years of smoking with 15 or more years of smoking cessation (5.0%). Compared with never smokers, cause-specific HRs for incident lung cancer in the 2 groups for whom LDCT is not recommended were 10.54 (95% CI, 3.60-30.83) for the current nonheavy smokers and 11.19 (95% CI, 5.40-23.21) for the former smokers with 15 or more years of smoking cessation; age, sex, and race-adjusted HRs were 10.06 (95% CI, 3.41-29.70) for the current nonheavy smokers and 10.22 (4.86-21.50) for the former smokers with 15 or more years of smoking cessation compared with never smokers.

    Conclusions and relevance: The findings of this cohort study suggest that there is a high risk of lung cancer among smokers for whom LDCT screening is not recommended, suggesting that prediction models are needed to identify high-risk subsets of these smokers for screening.

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    JAMA – Journal of the American Medical Association

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  • Anesthesiologists Denounce Another Year of Medicare Payment Cuts, Urge Immediate Reforms

    Anesthesiologists Denounce Another Year of Medicare Payment Cuts, Urge Immediate Reforms

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    Newswise — The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) condemned yet another year of cuts to Medicare payments for critically important anesthesia and pain medicine services. The proposed cuts, announced in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) 2024 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), represent the fifth consecutive year of either a pay freeze or payment cut for the services anesthesiologists provide to their patients as shown in the table below. The CMS-proposed Medicare payment cuts will compound the financial strain anesthesia practices are already facing.

    “Yet another year of Medicare payment cuts shows that the Medicare physician payment system is completely broken and unsustainable. A comprehensive overhaul of the Medicare payment system for physicians is long overdue,” said ASA President Michael W. Champeau, M.D., FAAP, FASA. “The Medicare payment rates are grossly inadequate due to egregious flaws in the government formula used to calculate physician payment rates. These inadequate payment rates, rising practice costs, and COVID-19 pandemic-related financial pressures seriously threaten physicians’ practice survival and patient access to care. Congress must act.”

    Within the fee schedule, CMS has proposed an anesthesia conversion factor (CF) of $20.370, representing a decrease of 3.26% from the 2023 anesthesia CF of $21.1249. The 2024 proposed Resource-Based Relative Value Scale (RBRVS) CF is $ 32.7476. This represents a decrease of 3.36% from the 2023 CF of $33.8872. CMS established this decrease due to a statutorily mandated budget neutrality adjustment for changes in work relative value units (RVUs) and practice expense updates.

    Anesthesia and Resource-Based Relative Value Scale (RBRVS) Conversion Factor Trends

     

    Anesthesia CF

    % Change

    RBRVS CF

    % Change

    2017

    $22.0454

    –

    $35.8887

    –

    2018

    $22.1887

    0.7%

    $35.9996

    0.3%

    2019

    $22.2730

    0.4%

    $36.0391

    0.1%

    2020

    $22.2016

    -0.3%

    $36.0896

    0.1%

    2021

    $21.5600

    -2.9%

    $34.8931

    -3.3%

    2022

    $21.5623

    0.0%

    $34.6062

    -0.8%

    2023

    $21.1249

    -2.0 %

    $33.8872

    -2.1%

    2024*

    $20.4370

    -3.3%

    $32.7476

    3.4%

    * CY 2024 Proposed CF

    Each of these cuts compounds the financial hurt anesthesiologists and their practices are facing with Medicare payments. Although legislation passed in 2023 provided for a 1.25% update to the conversion factor for CY 2024, this is less than the 2.5% update Congress approved for CY 2023. Absent congressional action, new cuts will be effective January 1, 2024. 

    ASA is committed to advocating for changes to the broken Medicare payment system to ensure anesthesiologists and other pain medicine physicians are paid fairly for the services they provide to their patients. ASA has strongly endorsed a legislative effort – H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, that would provide an inflationary adjustment to Medicare payments so that compensation for physicians and other clinicians matches the rising cost of the health care services they are providing. ASA has also strongly encouraged Congress and policymakers to re-evaluate the flawed budget neutrality clauses of the PFS that greatly restrict payment increases and cause continued payment cuts for many critical health care services. ASA looks forward to advocating our position before Congress and in working with CMS and other government stakeholders on proposed solutions.

    Finalized provisions will become effective on January 1, 2024.

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    American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)

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  • New proposed rule continues cuts to Medicare reimbursement; Legislative remedies needed to protect patients’ access to care

    New proposed rule continues cuts to Medicare reimbursement; Legislative remedies needed to protect patients’ access to care

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    Newswise — ARLINGTON, Va., July 13, 2023 — The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) issued the following statement from Geraldine M. Jacobson, MD, MBA, MPH, FASTRO, Chair of the ASTRO Board of Directors, in response to the proposed 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) released today by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS):

    “Another year brings another round of cuts to radiation therapy services for people with cancer under the proposed Medicare fee schedule. ASTRO is disappointed that CMS once again undervalues the impact of radiation oncology and intends to cut reimbursement by an additional 2% in 2024 for this essential cornerstone of cancer care.

    Medicare spends less on all radiation therapy services than it does on just three top cancer drugs, although radiation is utilized by twice as many beneficiaries. Despite this outsized value, CMS has cut radiation oncology physician fee schedule payments by over 20% in the last decade – more than nearly all other physician specialties.

    The ongoing cuts to radiation oncology reimbursement, coupled with broader cuts to Medicare services, threaten to decrease patients’ ability to receive vital, high-value cancer care close to home by driving practice consolidation and undermining the viability of smaller practices. These cuts also underscore the need for long-term, overarching reimbursement reform that will ensure patients can access the care they need.

    ASTRO, the leading medical society for radiation oncology with 10,000 members who are physicians, biologists, physicists, radiation therapists, dosimetrists and other health care professionals who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapy, recently introduced Radiation Oncology Case Rates (ROCR), a legislative proposal for radiation oncology payment reform. We look forward to working with our Congressional champions to pass the bipartisan Providing Relief and Stability for Medicare Patients Act of 2023 (H.R. 3674) to mitigate the impact of clinical labor cuts.  In addition, we need to advance ROCR to increase patient access to care, improve the quality of cancer treatments, reduce disparities for rural and underserved patients, and lower Medicare and patient costs.”

    For more details about ROCR, read an overview from ASTRO’s health policy leadership.

     

    ABOUT ASTRO

    The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) is the largest radiation oncology society in the world, with nearly 10,000 members who are physicians, nurses, biologists, physicists, radiation therapists, dosimetrists and other health care professionals who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapies. For information on radiation therapy, visit RTAnswers.org. To learn more about ASTRO, visit our website and follow us on social media.

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    American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO)

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  • Why Entrepreneurship in Africa is Surging | Entrepreneur

    Why Entrepreneurship in Africa is Surging | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Entrepreneurship in Africa is on an exponential upsurge. The vibrant entrepreneurial landscape is being propelled by several factors: a young demographic driving innovation, increased access to technology breaking down traditional barriers and an indomitable spirit refusing to settle for the status quo.

    As we examine the landscape, certain strategic sectors stand out as burgeoning opportunities for astute entrepreneurs ready to leave their mark, catalyze economic growth and stimulate lasting social impact.

    Financial technology (Fintech) is reshaping the African banking landscape

    The Fintech sector in Africa has been a hotbed of innovation, thriving against all odds. World Bank data reveals that approximately 66% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s adult population remains unbanked. This gap presents a unique challenge and an equally distinctive opportunity.

    Fintech startups leverage cutting-edge technology to bridge this financial chasm, offering innovative digital solutions that redefine the traditional banking experience. For entrepreneurs, the fintech sector offers an immensely lucrative venture due to its scalability potential. More importantly, it paves the way for financial inclusion — a key determinant in driving economic development and stability.

    Related: The Future Of Fintech May Well Be In Africa

    Agribusiness: The cornerstone of Africa’s economic prosperity

    Africa’s agribusiness potential is vast and significantly untapped as a predominantly agrarian continent. Agri-entrepreneurs are channeling this potential and innovating to tackle challenges head-on — these range from agricultural productivity to supply chain management and to market access. The agribusiness sector has evolved into a lucrative domain for entrepreneurs. The industry offers a cornucopia of opportunities for creating sustainable solutions that address food security concerns while yielding considerable profits. It also promises to spur rural development, improve livelihoods and contribute to national economies.

    Renewable energy: Charting a sustainable path to the future

    The renewable energy sector in Africa presents another vast landscape teeming with opportunities. Blessed with abundant sunlight and wind, Africa is well-positioned to leapfrog into the future as a global leader in green energy. Entrepreneurs venturing into this sector play dual roles: they contribute to a sustainable planet while addressing the continent’s chronic energy deficit.

    Africa’s energy challenge has spurred innovation in the renewable energy sector, with startups leveraging solar, wind and hydro resources to bring power to millions of off-grid households. This sector represents a business opportunity and a chance to improve the quality of life for millions fundamentally.

    Related: 4 Lessons for Entrepreneurs From Africa’s Solar Industry

    Ecommerce

    The digital revolution has ushered Africa into unprecedented growth and opportunity, most notably observed in the thriving ecommerce sector. The rapid expansion of internet usage, accelerated by smartphone penetration, has fundamentally reshaped consumer behavior and market dynamics.

    Entrepreneurs are tapping into this digital shift, offering online platforms that enable consumers to access a diverse range of products — from fashion to electronics, groceries and more. The digital retail sector is reshaping Africa’s economic landscape by stimulating local innovation, enabling new business models and reaching previously inaccessible markets.

    Related: Top 6 Ecommerce Trends You Need to Know in 2023

    Health Tech: Pioneering a Healthy and Resilient Africa

    Health tech startups in Africa are disrupting the traditional healthcare landscape, carving a new path marked by improved accessibility, affordability and quality of services. These startups are leveraging digital platforms and data-driven approaches to overcome healthcare challenges, including a shortage of healthcare providers, remote patient monitoring and disease surveillance. This sector’s transformative potential underscores the role of technology as a catalyst for improving healthcare outcomes and strengthening healthcare systems.

    Carving a path forward for African Entrepreneurship

    The African entrepreneurial landscape, while burgeoning with promise and potential, has its share of challenges. Entrepreneurs often find themselves grappling with a host of issues, including limited access to finance, regulatory constraints, and a scarcity of mentorship and support structures. These obstacles underscore the need for a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem that empowers startups to thrive and scale.

    Governments, investors and support organizations each have a critical role in nurturing this ecosystem. Governments can institute favorable policies, provide funding opportunities, and foster an environment conducive to innovation and risk-taking. Local and international investors can furnish the much-needed capital for startups to scale, while support organizations can offer mentorship, networking opportunities, and capacity building.

    Moreover, collaboration is pivotal to success. By forging partnerships with research institutions, industry leaders, and each other, startups can spur innovation, create synergies and accelerate growth.

    The potential for entrepreneurship in Africa’s strategic sectors is immense. From fintech to agribusiness, renewable energy, e-commerce and health tech, opportunities abound for entrepreneurs eager to innovate and drive change. Each of these sectors presents unique economic growth, job creation, and socio-economic development prospects.

    However, it’s paramount to remember that a problem-solving mindset is at the heart of every successful entrepreneurial venture. The entrepreneurs who will chart a prosperous future are those who identify societal problems and create innovative, sustainable solutions to address them.

    Africa’s entrepreneurial future is not just promising — it’s already unfolding. Today’s African entrepreneurs are charting the course for a prosperous continent, leveraging opportunities in strategic sectors, and setting the pace for future generations. Indeed, their ambition and resolve mirror the African proverb, “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Africa is going far, and it’s going together.

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    Henri Al Helaly

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