Volume XVI | Issue 1 | January 2024 | |
HCI's Monthly Review of the Healthcare Industry | |
Robert J. Stilley
President, CEO
HeartCare Imaging, Inc.
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Dear Colleagues –
Running a medical imaging company requires one to focus on multiple tasks. The bottom line, licensing, accreditation, personnel issues…the list can go on and on. Sometimes, it can be overwhelming if you’re faced with multiple crisis at the same time. A week ago, I was reminded of why it’s so important to not lose focus on the primary reason we do what we do - the patient.
I ran into a good friend who wasn’t quite himself. I inquired about what was going on and he told me he had just had a positive nuclear cardiology test and was going in for a cardiac cath. I told him not to worry, he might end up with a stent, but he’d be back home with no problems the same day. Well, once again, I’ve learned to keep my diagnostic thoughts to myself. He ended up having successful open heart bypass surgery the day after the cath, and is now on his way to a successful recovery. His physician suggested that if they hadn’t found the problem when they did, it could have ended up with him having a fatal MI. Aside from my re-learning to keep my mouth shut, I was struck by the importance of every scan on every patient. We strive to make sure we are there every day to provide diagnostic scans for our patients and the physicians who order them. If my friend had skipped the test or the test was not available there could have been a very different outcome. There are times that equipment goes down, or personnel can’t make it, but those are few and far between. We work with our service providers and employees to ensure we are taking every step to ensure the service is available when needed and as planned. For me, lesson learned! We will not be blinded by the business of medicine and miss the importance of focusing on the patient and the importance of their positive outcome. We will stay focused on the mission.
I hope your year is starting off well and that you find this month’s newsletter interesting and informative.
Take care!
Best Regards,
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FDA Approves New Pluvicto Production Facility in Indianapolis
Today Novartis announced that it has received FDA approval for its radioligand therapy manufacturing facility in Indianapolis, Indiana, for commercial manufacturing of Pluvicto
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Novel PET Tracer Enhances Lesion Detection in Medullary Thyroid Cancer, Offers Potential for Targeted Therapy
A newly developed PET imaging agent has been found to be effective in identifying medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) in preclinical and clinical studies, according to research published in the January issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine. The results of the studies indicate that the PET imaging agent may be a promising theranostic candidate for clinical use.
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New PET/CT Technique Accurately Diagnoses Adrenal Gland Disorder, Informs Personalized Treatment Plans
A novel imaging approach has been shown to accurately identify sub-types of primary aldosteronism (an adrenal gland disorder), outperforming traditional methods for diagnosis.
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Lab receives $30M funding to illuminate lung and ovarian cancers
A new funding announcement could lead to enhanced detection of lung and ovarian cancer through the use of intraoperative molecular imaging agents.
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HeartFlow’s AI-powered CAD offering receives new CPT code with improved reimbursement rate
HeartFlow has announced that its FFRCT Analysis tool, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to evaluate cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) exams for signs of coronary artery disease (CAD), has been transitioned to a new Category 1 CPT code.
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New patch-based wearable defibrillator receives CE mark approval
Element Science, a San Francisco-based medical device company, has gained CE mark approval for its new patch-based cardioverter defibrillator.
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Cardiology board fail rates are increasing—can educators reverse that trend?
More and more fellows are failing the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) subspecialty examination in cardiovascular disease, according to a new commentary published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Harnessing skin cancer genes to heal hearts
Biomedical engineers have demonstrated that one of the most dangerous mutations found in skin cancers might moonlight as a pathway to mending a broken heart. The genetic mutation in the protein BRAF, a part of the MAPK signaling pathway that can promote cell division, is one of the most common and most aggressive found in melanoma patients. In a new study, researchers show that introducing this mutation to rat heart tissue grown in a laboratory can induce growth.
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More than half of US adults don't know heart disease is leading cause of death, despite 100-year reign
More than half (51%) of respondents in a 2023 Harris Poll survey conducted on behalf of the American Heart Association did not identify heart disease as the leading cause of death in the U.S. Heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the U.S. for 100 years. Heart disease along with stroke, which is the fifth leading cause of death, claimed more lives in 2021 in the U.S. than all forms of cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease combined.
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'Tootsie Roll' Introduced for Leaky Transcatheter Heart Valves
Operators reported the initial success of a novel transcatheter technique for treating complex paravalvular leaks (PVLs) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) or transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) in a small case series.
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Childhood stress linked to higher risk of high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes in adults
Young adults who reported higher stress as adolescents were more likely to have high blood pressure, obesity and other cardiometabolic risk factors as adults, finds new study.
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Spider venom heart drug a step closer
A spider venom molecule being investigated by a University of Queensland team has met critical benchmarks towards becoming a treatment for heart attack and stroke.
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Low Vitamin D Levels May Signal CVD Risk in Young Adults
Circulating levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) may be a marker of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in healthy young adults, small study finds.
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Lower Drug Costs May Improve Adherence in Patients With PAD
Adopting simple strategies to lower out-of-pocket medication costs for Canadians with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) may help improve adherence and ultimately health outcomes, according to a new study.
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Why are measles cases popping up across the United States? Here’s what to know about the highly contagious virus
Nearly a dozen cases of measles have been reported in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Georgia in recent weeks, according to local health departments. International travel, coupled with declining global vaccination rates, is probably behind this spate of cases, experts say.
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Cancer Is Striking More Young People, and Doctors Are Alarmed and Baffled
Researchers are trying to figure out what is making more young adults sick, and how to identify those at high risk.
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First Cases of Medically Acquired Alzheimer's Disease Reported
Investigators say they are the first known cases of medically acquired AD in living people, but outside experts say the findings should be interpreted cautiously.
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High School Kids Who Use Weed, Alcohol Face Higher Risks for Suicidal Thoughts
High school students who smoke, drink or use weed are more likely to be emotionally troubled and have suicidal thoughts, a new study finds.
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To help these school kids deal with trauma, mindfulness lessons over the loudspeaker
Neuroscience research shows that chronic stress can shrink the brain, especially the parts that play a role in learning and memory. And that mindfulness – taking a few minutes to breathe, relax and center oneself – helps reduce that stress.
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Is Glucose the New Gluten? Inside the Blood-Sugar Health Craze
Proponents say that food ‘hacks’ meant to minimize blood-sugar spikes help them think more clearly, have more energy and reduce cravings. But some of the guidance is up for debate.
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Telehealth Option Increased IBD Clinic's Patient Retention
A tertiary care inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) clinic had greater retention of patients when telehealth became an option for return visits during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a retrospective analysis.
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Writing by hand may increase brain connectivity more than typing, readings of student brains suggest
After recording the brain activity of university students, researchers in Norway determined that writing by hand may improve learning and memory.
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Mood Interventions May Help Reduce Inflammation in Ulcerative Colitis and Chron’s Disease
According to research published on January 24, 2024, in eBioMedicineTrusted Source, interventions that improved mood also brought down inflammation in people with inflammatory bowel disease by 18%.
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The ketamine economy: New mental health clinics are a 'Wild West' with few rules
Patients report that ketamine infusions can be lifesaving, with immediate improvement for severe depression. But dosage and safety measures vary widely at the hundreds of clinics that have opened.
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Health Care Industry News | |
Low operating margins will be new normal for some nonprofit hospitals: Fitch
The sector’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic has been slower than expected. In a new report, the credit agency said some hospitals may never reach traditional healthy operating margins.
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Where Are the Nation’s Primary Care Providers? It’s Not an Easy Answer
No one disputes that much of the nation is starved for primary care clinicians, with patients having to wait weeks to get appointments or travel long distances for basic preventive care.
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Healing the system: Advancing economic mobility and healthcare innovation through education partnerships
Healthcare advocates should be more readily focused on prioritizing workforce development and education that is skills-based, innovative and meaningful to learners, job seekers and employers. All of us depend on healthcare organizations and the people they employ.
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Hospitals are dropping Medicare Advantage plans left and right
Medicare Advantage provides health coverage to more than half of the nation's seniors, but a growing number of hospitals and health systems nationwide are pushing back and dropping some or all contracts with the private plans altogether.
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Healthcare bankruptcies reached five-year peak in 2023, report finds
The analysis logged 79 Chapter 11 bankruptcies for companies with liabilities of at least $10 million last year, more than three times the number of filings in 2021.
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Senators reintroduce bill to boost telemental healthcare
The legislation would remove the requirement that Medicare beneficiaries be seen in person within six months of receiving mental healthcare via telehealth.
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Fasting May Reduce Inflammation
Researchers uncovered a new mechanism by which fasting reduces inflammation, a key factor in chronic diseases.
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Sleep’s Role in Brain Health
A new study reveals how sleep duration impacts brain health, specifically relating to stroke and dementia risks.
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Neuralink Announces First Brain Chip Implant in Humans
Elon Musk’s Neuralink has successfully implanted its brain-computer interface in a human. The procedure marks a significant milestone for the company.
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Music’s Universal Impact on Body and Emotion
A recent study reveals that music’s emotional impact transcends cultures, evoking similar bodily sensations globally. Researchers found that happy music energizes arms and legs, while sad tunes resonate in the chest.
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The Psychological Impact of Forced Human-Pet Separation
A new study reveals the psychological and safety risks associated with forced separation of people from their pets in crises like domestic violence and natural disasters. The research highlights the deep emotional bonds between humans and pets.
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FTC sues to block Novant purchase of two CHS hospitals
Regulators filed a lawsuit on Thursday to block North Carolina-based Novant Health from expanding its grip on healthcare in the state, warning a buy would increase costs.
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No Surprises Act Prevented 10M Surprise Medical Bills
An estimated 670,000 commercial claims were submitted to the No Surprises Act’s independent dispute resolution process last year.
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ACA enrollment for 2024 reaches record high
A record 20.4 million Americans have signed up for Affordable Care Act plans since open enrollment began in November. Sign-ups are expected to continue to grow.
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FDA authorizes Florida to import drugs from Canada
The decision is the first time the agency has cleared a U.S. state to bulk purchase prescription medicines from abroad.
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More hospitals, payers compliant with price transparency laws
More than 90% of hospitals posted files at least partially compliant with price transparency requirements in 2023, according to a new report from Turquoise Health.
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HeartCare Imaging, Inc. | Phone: 561-746-6125 | Fax: 561-741-2036 | info@heartcareimaging.com | | | | |
