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ACC CV Quality SmartBrief

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  • Analysis links corticosteroids to reduced mortality risks

    A meta-analysis published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that low-dose, short-course corticosteroids reduced short-term mortality by 27% in patients with severe pneumonia and by 23% in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. The analysis of 20 studies involving 3,459 patients found no increase in infection-related complications from corticosteroid use. However, the analysis found that long-term mortality benefits are uncertain. MedPage Today (free registration) (12/1) Learn More

  • Study links common antibiotic to respiratory failure risk

    A study in JAMA Network Open highlights a link between the antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and an increased risk of respiratory failure in healthy individuals ages 10 to 25. The study found that the risk of hospital visits for acute respiratory failure was nearly triple for those taking trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole compared with amoxicillin or cephalosporins. The study supports a 2021 FDA warning but notes that the overall risk remains low and further research is needed to confirm causality. Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (11/25) Learn More

  • Copper-infused textiles offer durable infection control

    Copper-embedded textiles are gaining attention in hospitals for their ability to rapidly kill microbes and reduce environmental bioburden, experts said during a panel discussion. Michael Schmidt, a professor at the Medical University of South Carolina, noted that copper works almost instantaneously against bacteria and viruses, while Dr. Maggie Thieman of the West Virginia University Health System and Vivothreads cited studies showing significant pathogen reduction within 30 minutes to two hours. Eddie Lefeaux of Westport Linen Services said the textiles remain effective after numerous washes. Infection Control Today (12/2) Learn More

  • How to introduce AI without losing clinicians' trust

    Address small, tangible problems rather than broad technological goals when implementing artificial intelligence in health care, writes Alexander Amatus of TherapyNearMe. Amatus offers five rules for a successful rollout: Start with a smaller problem, let staff experiment before formal training, ensure clinicians remain decision-makers, measure success in minutes saved and involve clinicians as co-designers. SmartBrief/Health Care (12/3) Learn More

  • AI analyzes blood biomarkers to diagnose respiratory diseases

    A study in Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence highlights the potential of blood biomarkers in diagnosing respiratory diseases using statistical and machine learning methods. Researchers analyzed data from 913 patients and found significant correlations between biomarkers such as C-reactive protein and hemoglobin, and between ferritin and lactate dehydrogenase. Decision tree models demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy, suggesting that AI-driven, biomarker-based diagnostics could enhance early disease detection and improve patient outcomes. Frontiers (11/27) Learn More

  • NYC Health + Hospitals spends $31M on high-tech beds

    NYC Health + Hospitals has invested nearly $31 million in high-tech beds for medical-surgical units and intensive care units to reduce falls and improve patient safety. The beds, from Hillrom, come with alarms, light projections and sensors for vital signs, and management says the intensive care unit beds are easier to adjust and include features such as vibrations to break up fluid in the lungs. Parallel to the project, the nurse call system is being upgraded to integrate with the Epic electronic health record platform. Crain's New York Business (tiered subscription model) (11/24) Learn More

  • Smart wound monitor enables continuous remote care

    Researchers at RMIT University in Australia have developed a smart wound monitor that could advance wound care by allowing continuous remote monitoring. The device is a flexible patch equipped with Bluetooth sensors that measure pH, temperature and inflammation markers, providing real-time data without disturbing the wound. Lead inventor Peter Francis Mathew Elango says the device can shift wound care from reactive to proactive, reduce infection rates and be cost-effective. American Society of Mechanical Engineers (11/18) Learn More

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