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ACC CV Quality SmartBrief

The ACC CV Quality SmartBrief eNewsletter is a free, twice-weekly briefing for health care stakeholders interested in quality care. Learn more about the ACC CV Quality SmartBrief and subscribe.

  • Health systems prioritize patient safety and AI in 2026

    Clinical informatics leaders are focusing on enhancing patient safety and expanding AI capabilities in 2026. At Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, new IV pump interoperability is being closely monitored to ensure patient safety. Summa Health is emphasizing safe staffing and reducing administrative burdens to improve care. AI is moving from pilot projects to infrastructure, with systems like VHC Health and LCMC Health expanding ambient documentation to reduce workload. Main Line Health is integrating virtual nursing to streamline inpatient care. The overarching goal is to create safer care environments and support health care teams. Becker's Hospital Review (12/5) Learn More

  • Precision immunotherapy improves organ function in sepsis

    A phase IIb randomized trial indicated that adding precision immunotherapy to standard sepsis care can improve organ dysfunction by the ninth day, although it does not significantly affect the 28-day mortality rate. The ImmunoSep trial, involving 276 patients, targeted macrophage activation-like syndrome and sepsis-induced immunoparalysis, with 35.1% of the patients receiving precision immunotherapy showing significant improvement in their Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores, compared with 17.9% in the placebo group. MedPage Today (free registration) (12/8) Learn More

  • Hospital-at-home care boosts activity among rural patients

    Hospital-level home care in rural areas improved patient experiences and physical activity without increasing costs, compared with conventional hospital care, according to a study in JAMA Network Open. The randomized clinical trial included 161 adults across three US and Canadian sites. Patients receiving home care needed fewer blood tests and were more active, and readmission rates and safety events were similar to those for hospital patients. Medscape (12/3) Learn More

  • N.Y. health official: COVID-19 hospitalizations outpace flu

    New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald has raised concerns about a decline in COVID-19 vaccinations compared with last year, noting that the state has three times as many hospitalizations for COVID-19 than for the flu. In some upstate counties, COVID-19 vaccination rates have dwindled to 6% to 10%, which McDonald warns may leave residents less prepared as the holiday season increases opportunities for virus transmission. Spectrum News (12/4) Learn More

  • HSPA exec: Sterile processing essential for patient safety

    Healthcare Sterile Processing Association President Arlene Bush highlights the essential role of sterile processing personnel in ensuring patient safety, urging greater public awareness and appreciation of their roles. Bush emphasizes the need to connect with C-suite executives and other hospital departments about the importance of sterile processing professionals' work. Infection Control Today (12/5) Learn More

  • EHR improvements key to reducing clinician turnover

    The Clinician Turnover 2025 report by the KLAS Arch Collaborative highlights the threat of workforce instability to health care organizations' goals, including patient care and financial stability. Despite a decrease in burnout rates since the pandemic, a global shortage of 11 million health workers is projected by 2030. The report emphasizes that dissatisfaction with leadership and inadequate EHR systems are key reasons clinicians consider leaving. Improvements in EHR technology have encouraged some clinicians to stay, suggesting that enhancing the EHR experience can foster a healthier organizational culture. Healthcare Innovation (12/3) Learn More

  • Health care execs seek patient engagement AI tools

    Nearly all health care executives responding to a survey by Sage Growth Partners and Lirio recognize artificial intelligence's potential to enhance patient outreach, but only about one-third have invested in such tools. Administrative burdens identified by the survey include following up on missed appointments, developing personalized content for patients, communication with patients and care coordination across multiple clinician offices. Executives are seeking AI to automate medication adherence messages, chronic care support, patient outreach and reporting. TechTarget (12/5) Learn More

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