Practice Management
Patients are finding positive benefit in the use of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist drugs across a wide range of health conditions, as published in Nature Medicine. An observational study of Veterans Affairs data for nearly 2 million patients found that over about 3 years, adults with type 2 diabetes who used a GLP-1 had significantly decreased risks for 42 outcomes, increased risks for 19 outcomes, and no effect with 114 other outcomes when …
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After concerns about claiming the top spot for the country’s longest emergency department (ED) wait times, Maryland established the Maryland Emergency Department Wait Time Reduction Commission in July 2024 to craft long-term solutions that could be rolled out sooner rather than later. Among the commission’s early recommendations released this week is a plan to reduce hospital capacities by improving efficiency in addressing the needs of older populations with chronic health conditions and those with behavioral …
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Optum Health is continuing to ease back on its MedExpress urgent care line of business. There are only 19 centers that remain open, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune, which is an 87% decrease from the 150 locations operating in 2022. Parent company UnitedHealth Group’s executives in a recent call with investors said that some parts of the Optum business aren’t as important for the future as they once were. There is less emphasis now …
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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will now require labeling changes for 2 respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines to warn of the potential risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) associated with the vaccines. Postmarket observational studies suggest there is an increased risk of GBS during the 42 days following vaccination with Pfizer’s Abrysvo vaccine for RSV and GSK’s Arexvy vaccine for RSV. Both were approved by FDA in 2023, so they are relatively new in the …
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This month, Jeremy Morgan was named chief executive officer of American Family Care (AFC), succeeding Randy Johansen, who has retired. Morgan is the former CEO of a national franchisor organization with 5 brands that grew to nearly 900 locations and $700 million in revenue during his tenure. Additionally, David Prokupek was named to the AFC board of directors as executive chairman. His experience includes previous CEO positions with Ideal Image, Jackson Hewitt, and Smashburger. Outgoing …
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Massachusetts enacted a new law this month aimed at healthcare businesses, which includes stricter reporting standards and licensing requirements for urgent care centers. According to National Law Review, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has been granted the authority to develop and enforce the specific licensing criteria for urgent care, which is expected by October 1. Licensed hospitals, hospital affiliates, community health centers, and limited service clinics are exempt from the new licensing requirement, making …
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A group of 58 global clinicians has proposed a new way of identifying obesity that does not rely on body mass index (BMI) alone. They believe waist circumference and direct fat measurement should also be figured in, as well as other signs and symptoms of health, according to an online article in Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. Current BMI-based measures of obesity can underestimate or overestimate body fat and health status. The clinician group recommends that …
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Kids diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19 infection recover fully within 6 months after infection, according to research presented in JAMA Pediatrics. Data came from more than 1,200 pediatric patients treated at 32 North American pediatric hospitals from March 2020 to January 2022. MIS-C is concerning because kids with the diagnosis are at risk for cardiovascular complications, meanwhile, the authors found that myocardial involvement occurred in 60.5% of patients studied. …
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Amazon customers will now be prompted to sign up for Teladoc’s chronic care offerings thanks to a new partnership announced this week between the 2 organizations. Teladoc already has 1 million program participants, and the connection to Amazon will only boost its visibility and market presence. Anyone managing diabetes, hypertension, prediabetes and weight loss can now enroll in virtual care directly through Amazon’s Health Benefits Connector. Just like its agreement with Hinge Health, Talkspace, and …
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As multiple wildfires consumed homes, vehicles, and expansive acreage in Southern California in recent days, thick smoke blanketed the sky, causing health concerns for many in the area. Small particles in the air—which hang around for long periods of time even after the fires are out—can cause respiratory issues and chest pain as well as burning eyes and headaches. Children, elderly people, those with respiratory or heart conditions, and people with compromised immune systems, may …
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