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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.

  • Single RSV vaccine dose may reduce hospitalizations

    A study published in JAMA found a single dose of the respiratory syncytial virus vaccine was associated with a 58% reduced risk of hospitalization over two seasons for adults aged 60 and older. The study found 69% effectiveness in the first year and 48% in the second year. HealthDay News (9/3) Learn More

  • Foundation addresses SDOH, care quality, misinformation

    Physicians Foundation President Dr. Gary Price discusses the organization's initiatives on health equity, care quality, misinformation and physician well-being in a podcast. Price highlights grant opportunities addressing social drivers of health, reflecting on Dr. Richard Cooper's research linking poverty to health care costs. Price also addresses the challenge of medical misinformation, particularly in rural areas, and emphasizes the need for improved communication strategies. Medical Economics (9/2) Learn More

  • Penicillin V may be effective alternative for pneumonia

    A study in the journal Clinical Microbiology and Infection found penicillin V was as effective as amoxicillin in treating pneumonia, with similar rates of hospitalization and mortality within 28 days. The retrospective study of data for 34,306 patients ages 5 and older suggested that penicillin V could be a viable alternative, especially where drug resistance is a concern. Medscape (9/1) Learn More

  • New rule aims to increase transparency for drug prices

    A rule taking effect Oct. 1 aims to give patients and clinicians real-time access to insurance coverage details, prescription drug costs and prior authorization requirements. The rule, part of the CMS Inpatient Prospective Payment System and Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System, requires practices to use IT systems that are certified to submit prior authorization requests and check drug prices. Becker's Hospital Review (9/2) Learn More

  • Hospitals see drop in medical bill repayment post-pandemic

    The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant decline in patient repayment rates for hospital bills, according to a study in JAMA Health Forum that analyzed data on 200 hospitals from 2018 to 2024. Researchers found that mean repayment rates for privately insured patients dropped by 14.3% from 2021 to 2023, while Medicare Advantage patients saw a nearly 17% decline. The study suggests that higher hospital prices and changes in credit reporting for medical debt may have contributed to the trend. TechTarget (9/3) Learn More

  • How voice AI can transform health care

    The adoption of voice AI in health care is accelerating, with nearly half of US hospitals planning to implement the technology by 2026, writes Hari Prasad, CEO and co-founder of Yosi Health. Voice AI can automate routine tasks and improve efficiency in areas such as clinical documentation and medication management. Prasad notes that safety is a key concern and that voice AI should be implemented with rule-based systems and emergency detection capabilities. SmartBrief/Health Care (9/2) Learn More

  • AI stethoscope enables early detection of heart conditions

    Researchers have developed an AI-enabled stethoscope that can detect heart failure, heart valve disease and atrial fibrillation in seconds. The tool records heart sounds and electrocardiogram signals, uploads them to the cloud for AI analysis, and sends results back to a smartphone, giving physicians a quick way to flag potentially at-risk patients. The Guardian (London) (8/30) Learn More

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