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MedPAC debates Medicare spending, payment models

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission discussed Medicare spending and payment models at its April meeting, focusing on the challenges of balancing fee-for-service, alternative payment models and Medicare Advantage. Commissioners highlighted issues such as the need for incentives for high-quality care, the impact of drug price inflation and a structural mismatch between patient needs and the delivery system. Medical Economics (4/13) Learn More

Hospitals' antiseptic use may foster bacteria tolerance

Bacteria in hospitals are developing tolerance to the antiseptic chlorhexidine, according to a study in Environmental Science & Technology. The study found that chlorhexidine lingers on surfaces for up to 24 hours, creating environments where bacteria can survive nonlethal doses. Some bacteria carried plasmids that aided antibiotic resistance. Live Science (4/14) Learn More

Targeted interventions may reduce staph transmission

A genome sequencing-based study conducted at Tisch Hospital's NICU included weekly screenings and targeted treatments using an antibiotic ointment and antiseptic wash to manage the spread of Staphylococcus aureus. This approach, presented at the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America's annual meeting, was associated with reduced transmission rates, and researchers estimated that treating 12 infants could prevent one transmission event. Healio (free registration) (4/13) Learn More

Hospital margins inch upward

US hospitals' year-to-date operating margins were 1.9% in February, compared with 1% in January, but they still were below last year's figures, according to a Kaufman Hall report. High expenses and input costs, bad debt and charity deductions are putting pressure on margins, says Kaufman Hall Managing Director Erik Swanson. Hospitals with ambulatory services and more commercially insured patients are performing better than hospitals serving large numbers of under- or uninsured patients. MedCity News (4/13) Learn More

AI model shows accuracy, sensitivity in HCM data extraction

The RECTIFIER artificial intelligence model has shown greater sensitivity and accuracy than physicians in extracting data from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy registries, according to a study presented at ACC.26. The study, led by Dr. Alexander Blood of Brigham and Women's Hospital, involved RECTIFIER and three physicians abstracting data from 44 patients. HCPLive Network (4/15) Learn More

Health systems deploy their own AI chatbots. Will they help?

With many Americans already turning to generative AI for health advice, hospitals are deploying their own chatbots to offer safer, more integrated solutions. Hartford HealthCare is expanding access to K Health's PatientGPT to tens of thousands of patients. Various health systems, including Sutter and Reid, are rolling out Epic's Emmie through the MyChart portal to answer general health questions and help patients find information. Experts caution that there's no solid evidence that such tools improve patient outcomes, and quality may be an issue. Ars Technica (4/14) Learn More

Unmet social needs tied to higher health care spending

Social risk factors such as financial instability and lack of transportation are associated with higher health care costs, according to a study in the Journal of Primary Care & Community Health. The study involved more than 410,000 patients at family medicine clinics in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Researchers found an association between high unmet social needs and higher cost Z scores, and they said that collecting social risk data may help reduce risks and health care costs. Medscape (4/10) Learn More

Cardiovascular Quality and Research News

ACC CV Quality SmartBrief