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ACC CV Quality SmartBrief

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  • Study: SDD doesn't lower mortality in ICU patients

    Selective decontamination of a patient's digestive tract using antibiotics did not significantly reduce in-hospital mortality for ICU patients on mechanical ventilation, according to a study in The New England Journal of Medicine. The study found a 27.9% mortality rate with SDD compared with 29.5% for standard care. SDD does appear to reduce new bloodstream infections, researchers noted. MedPage Today (free registration) (11/5) Learn More

  • Infection poses more child heart health risks than vaccine

    Research published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health noted that getting a COVID-19 vaccine is safer for children's heart health than a SARS-CoV-2 infection is. Investigators found that the vaccine only led to greater heart inflammation risk in the short term, but there was a longer-term, higher risk of blood clots, low platelet counts and heart inflammation in children who contracted the infection. HealthDay News (11/6) Learn More

  • IV antibiotic for complicated UTIs gains FDA approval

    The FDA has approved an intravenous formulation of fosfomycin, brand-named Contepo, for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections in adults, including acute pyelonephritis. The decision is based on the phase II/III ZEUS trial, which showed that IV fosfomycin was noninferior to piperacillin-tazobactam regarding the primary outcomes of microbiologic eradication and clinical cure. MedPage Today (free registration) (11/4) Learn More

  • Patient experience a top priority for hospital execs

    A survey by Sage Growth Partners found that 49% of hospital leaders prioritize patient experience as their lead strategic goal for 2025-2027, an increase from 36% in 2023 and 25% in 2022. Access to care is a key focus, with hospitals aiming to attract patients with commercial insurance and improve payer mix. Digital tools and virtual care are seen as essential, although returns on investment have been limited so far. TechTarget (11/4) Learn More

  • Panel addresses hospital leaders' misconceptions about AI

    Medical device executives discussed common misconceptions hospital leaders have about AI during a recent panel, including the belief that AI will replace human judgment in care. They emphasized that AI is a tool to support clinicians, not replace them. Hospital leaders also may assume tech companies are primarily interested in acquiring data but the panelists said the real value lies in translating data into actionable insights. MedCity News (11/3) Learn More

  • Integrated health system using AI to support prior auth

    Highmark Health and affiliated hospitals in the Allegheny Health Network are integrating Abridge's generative AI into clinical workflows to reduce administrative burdens. Initially, the hospitals will use ambient documentation technology to draft prior authorization requests. Highmark and AHN will eventually use AI to share insights, prompt clinicians about potential quality issues and alert clinicians about specific Highmark benefits or programs for which patients may be eligible. HealthLeaders Media (11/5) Learn More

  • County tackles health disparities with hyperlocal effort

    A community wellness hub recently opened at a barber shop in Tampa, Florida, offering free self-service screenings to address health disparities in Hillsborough County. The initiative, part of an Envision Resolution Foundation health campaign, allows people to check blood pressure, EKG readings, weight and oxygen levels. "We know from data that the population of men [is] showing higher rates of hypertension, diabetes and other chronic conditions, so we partner with barber shops as well as hair salons, places of worship and community centers to just make sure that people knowing their numbers is accessible," said Antoinette Davis of the foundation. WFTS-TV (Tampa, Fla.) (11/5) Learn More

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