On Tuesday, the DC Department of Health announced that Children's National Medical Center, MedStar Washington Hospital Center and George Washington University Hospital are now on a short list of 35 hospitals in the U.S. that are officially recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the DC Department of Health and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to treat Ebola. The hospitals were approved as being capable of providing extensive clinical treatment by the CDC and DOH after in-person evaluations by these two organizations.

Emergency rooms often skip the epinephrine for severe allergies

By Alison Bruzek, NPR, December 2, 2014

According to a recent study presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting, half of doctors do not know that an epinephrine shot must be used to save a patient having a severe allergic reaction. This week, a joint task force published a report in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology which reinforced the practice of using epinephrine first and fast as part of a larger series of guidelines for allergy treatment.

FDA rule requires drug labels detail risks to pregnant women

By Tim Devaney, The Hill, December 3, 2014

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Wednesday that it will be changing the requirements related to pregnancy labels on drugs. Any and all risks posed to pregnant women, women who are breastfeeding and their children must be clearly summarized. The new rules were proposed by the FDA in 2008 and will go into effect in 2015.

	Big data offers new strategy for public health campaigns By Shefali Luthra, Kaiser Health News, December 3, 2014
Traditional public health outreach programs often have trouble reaching specific populations and getting them to take action for their health. However, new strategies using data mining are achieving better results.

New CMS rules enhance Medicare provider oversight; strengthens beneficiary protections

By CMS, Press Release, December 3, 2014

Marilyn Tavenner, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator, announced on Wednesday that new oversight rules are going into place to protect taxpayer dollars. CMS will deny or revoke enrollment to physicians or other care providers who have unpaid Medicare debt, have a managing employee with a felony offense or have engaged in a pattern of billing abuse.

CDC: Flu shot less effective this year because current flu virus has mutated

By Debra Goldschmidt, CNN, December 4, 2014

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) put out an advisory to doctors in the U.S. this week that the influenza virus has mutated, making the current flu vaccine less effective. Specifically, the advisory noted that 52 % of the 81 samples collected from October 1 to November 22 were different than the strains of the virus included in the current vaccine. The CDC still recommends that individuals get the current flu vaccine since it will still provide some protection.

The Skype psychologist

By Joseph Burgo, The Atlantic, December 3, 2014

Psychologists are beginning to use Skype to provide patients therapy. This alternative to in-person treatment allows therapists to see patient's emotions and physical reactions and provide long distance treatment. Furthermore, this new trend allows people living abroad to seek and find therapists who can understand their cultural values as well as background, which is essential to treatment. Additionally, for countries that do not have therapists readily available, receiving therapy through Skype is a viable option.

CVS plans MinuteClinics at Dupont Circle, Metro Center

By Tina Reed, Washington Business Journal, December 2, 2014

CVS Caremark is adding more MinuteClinics for customers in Washington, DC. Specifically, CVS has received approval to expand the Dupont Circle location for a clinic and recently opened another at the Metro Center location. Earlier this year, the company announced a partnership with MedStar Health to link to the electronic health records of MedStar patients being treated at CVS clinics. Patients who have more serious conditions that cannot be treated at the clinics will be referred to Howard University Hospital.

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