Editor's Note A Senate report reveals that Medicare Advantage insurers are increasingly prioritizing profits over patient care by ramping up the use of prior authorization to deny necessary services, particularly post-acute care, for older adults, Becker’s Hospital Review reported October 17. In May 2023, the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations…

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Editor's Note Combining newer weight loss drugs with bariatric surgery is the most cost-effective long-term strategy for treating obesity, according to research presented at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2024. Medical Xpress reported on the findings October 18. According to the article, researchers from Northwestern Medicine evaluated the…

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Editor's Note Individuals with preoperative depression are at significantly higher risk of developing postoperative delirium, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis of 42 studies involving a total of 4.6 million patients. Published September 4 in Anaesthesia, the study is first review to quantify the incidence and risk of postoperative…

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Editor's Note In a recent study, lung cancer patients using wearable devices showed significantly improved postoperative physical activity and pulmonary function as well as reduced symptoms such as dyspnea and pain. Published September 20 in Jama Network Open, the study compared 74 patients in the intervention group (who used wearable…

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Editor's Note Raising awareness of misinformation and encouraging people to register as organ donors are among the ways organizations throughout the country are highlighting organ transplant disparities during Hispanic Heritage month, which ends October 15. Citing data from the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health,…

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Editor's Note Researchers at the Medical University of Vienna developed a new method using the Temporal Fusion Transformer (TFT) model to predict intraoperative hypotension in patients under general anesthesia. According to findings published August 30 in eClinical Medicine, part of The Lancet, the model utilizes routine vital sign data, including…

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Editor's Note MedStar Health announced the first successful all-plastic total ankle replacement surgery, performed at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. According to a September 30 announcement, the 71-year-old patient has a lifelong metal allergy and suffered from advanced joint degeneration in her right ankle, causing significant difficulty in walking. Dr. Paul…

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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…

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Editor's Note Multiple surgeries can spur gradual cognitive decline in older adults, according to recent research from the University of Sydney. Published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity and detailed in a September 27 university announcement, the study followed nearly half a million adults aged 40 to 69 over 20 years…

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Editor's Note Bariatric surgery significantly reduces the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity compared to those on GLP-1 diabetes medications, according to a study from Cleveland Clinic. Published in Annals of Surgery and detailed in a September 20 announcement from Cleveland Clinic,…

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