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  • Study finds link between ESBL bacteria, C. difficile risk

    Research in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases found that intestinal colonization with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing bacteria is an independent predictor of Clostridioides difficile infection. The retrospective cohort study found that patients with C. difficile had greater rates of recent antibiotic use and colonization with ESBL-producing bacteria compared with those without the infection. The findings could influence antibiotic selection and infection prevention strategies, especially for older adults, researchers say. Medscape (5/11) Learn More

  • Recent FDA approvals advance infectious disease therapy

    Recent FDA infectious-disease drug approvals include Idvynso, or doravirine/islatravir, as a replacement for existing antiretroviral therapy in virologically suppressed adults with HIV-1. The FDA also expanded its approval of the Arexvy vaccine to include adults ages 18 to 49 who are at risk for RSV-associated lower respiratory tract infection, and it has approved Dupixent for allergic fungal rhinosinusitis in some patients ages 6 and older. The agency also recalled lots of two wound care gels over contamination issues. Infectious Disease Advisor (5/1) Learn More

  • NYC steps up inspections after Legionnaires' outbreak

    New York City has doubled its number of HVAC cooling tower inspectors and increased Legionella testing to every 31 days following last summer's Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Harlem. The outbreak, traced to towers at Harlem Hospital and a city-operated health lab, resulted in 118 illnesses and 7 deaths. The city's 2027 budget includes $13 million for additional staff and community outreach. Gothamist (New York) (5/9) Learn More

  • Report: Hospital consolidation drives up health care costs

    Consolidation among hospital systems is a major driver of the US health care affordability crisis, with large systems charging significantly more than Medicare rates, and hospitals owned by systems generating nearly 10 times the annual net income of independent hospitals, according to a report from Families USA. The report follows recent testimony by hospital CEOs before the House Ways and Means Committee regarding pricing practices, with advocacy groups urging Congress to act against unchecked consolidation to address rising costs and inequity. Healthcare Innovation (5/7) Learn More

  • Health systems weigh growth via acquisitions, divestitures

    Health systems are taking different approaches to growth, with some divesting hospitals and others investing heavily in acquisitions. CommonSpirit Health, Providence and Community Health Systems are among those focusing on market potential and portfolio rationalization. Meanwhile, systems such as Atrium Health and WakeMed Health & Hospitals are pursuing mergers to make inroads in competitive markets. This trend reflects a shift from scale as a primary strategy to a more targeted approach to market presence. Becker's Hospital Review (5/9) Learn More

  • US immigration application pause lifted for physicians

    The US has lifted a hold on immigration applications for physicians, allowing cases to move forward amid a physician shortage, particularly in underserved areas. The exemption does not guarantee visa or green card renewals. The Associated Press (5/8) Learn More

  • Method helps to personalize cardiac risk management

    Heartflow Plaque Staging is helping to advance cardiac patient management by using total plaque volume for personalized risk assessment, moving past traditional risk factors and stenosis alone. Supported by data from over 23,000 individuals, the framework stratifies patients into four stages based on TPV, significantly predicting future cardiac events. The DECIDE Registry highlights its real-world impact, showing that plaque-led management can reduce LDL-C levels by an average of 18.7 mg/dL, potentially lowering cardiac event risk by 15%. Related research was presented at ACC.26. Cardiovascular Business (5/6) Learn More

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