Volume XIII | Issue 3 | March 2021
THE HCI SPOTLIGHT
HCI's Monthly Review of the Healthcare Industry
 Robert J. Stilley
President, CEO
HeartCare Imaging, Inc. 
A Message from the CEO
Dear Colleague-

There is plenty to read and get caught up on in this month’s HCI Spotlight. I would like to draw your attention to the first article in the Health section. Many of us suspected that the decision to stop what was referred to as ‘elective procedures’ would result in advanced disease. Based on the article out of ASTRO, that appears to be the case. The article states that ‘Sixty-six percent of 117 US radiation oncologists polled said they are seeing an increase in new patients who have advanced-stage cancers, while 73% reported that physicians have noted that many patients are not being regularly screened for cancer, according to a survey by the American Society for Radiation Oncology’. I think we can expect that we will see similar advanced stage disease in other areas. Everyone did the best with the information we had at the time. That said, it’s important to review what we did well, and where we can improve. In retrospect, once we had sufficient PPE, stopping diagnostic testing was not necessary and caused more harm than good. By following safety guidelines we have been able to successfully attend to patients allowing for early diagnosis and treatment (while keeping our employees safe)…resulting in better outcomes for the patient. I’m proud of our team for the selfless and relentless effort put forward to provide this service in a safe an effective way. One of our five core values is that we will not be deterred, our team has certainly lived up to that value this past 12 months.

We hope you enjoy this month’s newsletter!
Cardiology
Skip These Supplements for Afib Prevention

Neither fish oil nor vitamin D supplementation worked in the long-term primary prevention of atrial fibrillation (Afib), according to the VITAL Rhythm study.

GE Healthcare debuts new AI offering for cardiac imaging

GE Healthcare announced Tuesday, March 30, that it has developed a new AI tool focused on cardiac imaging. The news came as the company launched its newest point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) system, Venue Fit, which was designed to be used in tight, compact spaces.

Eating large amounts of processed meat associated with a much higher risk of cardiovascular disease, death

Eating processed meat can lead to a heightened risk of major cardiovascular disease (CVD) events or mortality, according to new findings published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Keto diet, other forms of ketone therapy associated with multiple benefits for CVD patients

While some healthcare professionals swear by the keto diet, recommending it to patients for a number of reasons, others fear that it can put a person’s health at risk.

Eating 2 servings of fish per week helps patients battle recurrent heart disease

Just a few servings of fish per week can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality for patients who already have a history of CVD, according to new findings published in JAMA Internal Medicine. That same trend is not true, however, for individuals with no prior history of CVD.

Dipti Itchhaporia named new American College of Cardiology president

Dipti Itchhaporia, MD, has officially started her term as the 70th president of the American College of Cardiology (ACC).

Health

Sixty-six percent of 117 US radiation oncologists polled said they are seeing an increase in new patients who have advanced-stage cancers, while 73% reported that physicians have noted that many patients are not being regularly screened for cancer, according to a survey by the American Society for Radiation Oncology.

Study: Heart problems in young adulthood increase cognitive decline later

Adults in their 20s and 30s with high blood pressure, obesity and elevated blood sugar levels experience three-fold higher rates of cognitive decline later in life compared to those without the health issues, an analysis published Wednesday by the journal Neurology found.

The blood clot plot continues: Countries suspend use of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in younger adults

Germany announced on Tuesday, March 30, that it is temporarily suspending the use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine among individuals under the age of 60 due to continued blood clots concerns. Exceptions can be made for certain high-risk patients, officials added, though a doctor’s approval would be needed.

How Do COVID-19 Vaccines Compare?

While direct comparisons can't be made because head-to-head trials don't exist, people are questioning how the three COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the U.S. stack up.

Plant-based diets associated with a lower risk of stroke—but not if they are full of junk food

Following a healthy plant-based diet is associated with a reduced risk of stroke, according to a new analysis published in Neurology.


An experimental new radiotracer is effective when used with PET/CT for detecting biochemically recurrent prostate cancer and may change patient management, according to research published online March 12 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

FDA approves Zealand Pharma’s new treatment for severe hypoglycemia

Zealand Pharma, an international biotechnology company, has gained FDA approval for its dasiglucagon injection for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia.

Plastic Chemicals Linked to Postpartum Depression

Certain environmental chemicals were tied to postpartum depression in new moms, researchers said.

Women have a lower ‘normal’ blood pressure range than men

Women have a lower “normal” blood pressure range than men, according to a new analysis out of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Blood pressure guidelines may need to be revisited as a result.

Mixing brain, nervous system-related drugs risky for dementia patients

Older adults who take three or more drugs for dementia or its complications could accelerate memory loss and declines in thinking ability as a result, according to a study published Tuesday by JAMA.

Most kids with serious inflammatory illness had mild COVID

Most children with a serious inflammatory illness linked to the coronavirus had initial COVID-19 infections with no symptoms or only mild ones, new U.S. research shows.

Business
New Walgreens CEO takes over

Rosalind Brewer has officially taken over as CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance as of March 15. The company, which operates more than 21,000 stories across more than 25 countries, is one of the biggest retail and wholesale pharmacy leaders. 

Fewer rural students applying to medical school

Rural America is running short on physicians. This worries health experts who have linked limited access to primary care providers to major gaps in health outcomes for rural communities.

Not-for-profit hospitals spend less on charity care than for-profit, public providers

Charity care equaled 2.3% of total expenses in 2018, compared with 3.8% and 4.1% of for-profit and government-run hospitals' expenses, respectively, according to researchers at John Hopkins University's Carey Business School and Bloomberg School of Public Health. The study analyzed 2018 Medicare hospital cost reports to review 4,663 providers' charity-care spending.

Policy
Changes to Medicaid supplemental payments could follow new state reporting requirements

New rules that would impact Medicaid payments could be on the way, as state reporting changes could lead to bigger base payments and reduced supplemental payments, according to experts.

Arkansas May Bar Gender Transition Care for Minors

A flurry of bills related to healthcare for transgender patients are popping up in state legislatures across the country, with proponents claiming these measures will improve patient care while critics assert that the changes would deprive these patients of vital healthcare services.

UnitedHealthcare sued for allegedly bribing providers to avoid out-of-network referrals

U.S. Anesthesia Partners sued UnitedHealth Group in two states on Wednesday, calling the nation's largest insurer a "boa constrictor" that allegedly squeezed the 4,000-member physician practice out of so much business it went to the courts to regain its clients.

Providers' data-sharing ventures try to make patient data more useful, keep it safe

Healthcare providers are moving into the complex world of sharing and sometimes selling patient data, but will have to address privacy concerns and maintain patient trust to be successful.

Education/Conferences
For over 25 years, HRSI has provided Authorized User (AU) classroom and laboratory training to physicians. HRSI's training is recognized by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and fulfills the didactic training required by law.
HeartCare Imaging, Inc. | Phone: 561-746-6125 | Fax: 561-741-2036 | info@heartcareimaging.com