Rules and Regulations
CMS proposes $2 Drug List Model to reduce out-of-pocket costs for Medicare recipients
Editor's Note CMS has taken the next steps in making prescription drugs more affordable for Medicare recipients, according to an October 9 report from The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The proposed Medicare $2 Drug List Model, developed in line with President Biden’s Executive Order 14087, aims…
AAMI, CTA partners to develop healthcare AI standards
Editor's Note The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) has entered into a partnership with the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) to develop new standards for the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning in healthcare, according to an October 1 report in DOTmed. Formalized through a memorandum of…
Vice presidential debate highlights healthcare, abortion policy differences
Editor's Note The October 1 vice presidential debate showcased sharp divisions between the candidates on healthcare policy, focusing primarily on the future of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and reproductive rights. A summary published October 2 in Stat details how Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) proposed changes that could allow insurers…
FDA designates Class 1 recalls for infusion pump software, ventilator software
Editor's Note The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designated software-related recalls for Fresenius Kabi USA’s Iveni Infusion Systems and Philips Respironics Triology Evo ventilators as class 1, the most severe category indicating serious risk of injury or death. According to FDA’s October 1 announcement, Fresenius recalled the Ivenix Infusion…
Deadline looms for CMS patient safety reporting requirements
Editor's Note Starting October 1, US hospitals participating in Medicare's Inpatient Quality Reporting Program will need to report adherence to 25 patient safety best practices, as mandated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). According to a September 4 report from the Association of Health Care Journalists, the…
HHS announces $75 million investment in rural healthcare
Editor's Note The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), part of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has announced nearly $75 million in funding to address critical challenges in rural health, including opioid treatment, maternal health care in the South, and supporting the financial stability of rural…
Why nurse travelers are more friends than foes
Many are quick to blame travelers for the poor state of hospital finances. However, isn’t there a difference between a traveler in the OR—an interim staff member in the hospital’s profit center—and an interim RN in an area financially supported by OR profits? What about the argument that travelers can…
Study: OR noise raises risk of surgical error
Editor's Note Often exceeding federal safety limits, OR noise contributes significantly to communication breakdowns, heightened cognitive load, and increased surgical errors, according to a review of literature published September 17 in Cureus. Identified noise sources include surgical instruments, alarms, and staff conversations, which can reach up to 120 decibels (dBA)—a…
California updates guidance on CRNA scope of practice
Editor's Note Confusion about the scope of practice for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) prompted The California Department of Public Health to update guidelines for acute care hospitals, MedPage Today reported September 18. Issued after violations at two Modesto hospitals resulted in hundreds of cancelled surgeries, a letter from the…
FDA designates Class 1 recall for tracheostomy tubes
Editor's Note The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has designated the recall of Smiths Medical’s Bivona Neonatal/Pediatric and Adult Tracheostomy tubes as a Class 1, the most severe category indicating risk of serious injury or death. According to the agency’s September 18 report, the recall is due to a…
Free Daily News
- Hospital, health system mergers reach new heights
- Algorithm enhances decision-making on intermediate-stage liver cancer surgery, treatment
- Hispanic Heritage Month reports highlight awareness, action on organ transplant disparities
- Medicare policy on prior authorization falls short on shifting outpatient surgery trends
- DEA registration validation changes challenge healthcare accreditation
- CMS proposes $2 Drug List Model to reduce out-of-pocket costs for Medicare recipients
- Algorithm enables continuous forecasting of intraoperative blood pressure
- Study: Improper arm positioning during blood pressure measurements can lead to hypertension overdiagnosis
- JAMA video highlights OR sustainability
- AAP releases first opioid prescribing guidelines for children