Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Infectious Disease for August 2018. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Ground Chuck Products Recalled by Publix Super Markets
FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Possible Escherichia coli contamination has triggered the recall of ground beef products made from chuck that were sold at Publix Super Markets in Florida.
Medical Bills in Collections Decrease With Patient Age
FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Medical collections decrease substantially with age, possibly because of increased health insurance coverage and incomes, according to a study published in the August issue of Health Affairs.
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Pediatric Revisits, Admissions for UTI Similar With Oral or IV Meds
FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Very young children with urinary tract infections (UTIs) who receive parenteral antibiotics before emergency department discharge do not have lower rates of revisits leading to admission than children receiving oral antibiotics, according to a study published online Aug. 21 in Pediatrics.
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China Withholding H7N9 Bird Flu Virus Samples From U.S.
THURSDAY, Aug. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Chinese officials have not sent lab samples of H7N9 bird flu virus to their U.S. counterparts despite repeated requests and an international agreement.
FDA: Common Diabetes Meds Tied to Serious Genital Infection
THURSDAY, Aug. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A rare but serious genital infection known as necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum, also called Fournier’s gangrene, has been reported in some patients taking a certain class of type 2 diabetes medicine, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. As a result, the FDA has ordered a new warning about this risk to be added to the prescribing information and patient medication guide of all sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors.
Oral High-Risk HPV Prevalence Appears to Be Low in England
THURSDAY, Aug. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The prevalence of oral high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection in adult men and women is low in England, according to a study published online Aug. 20 in BMJ Open.
No Meaningful Increase in Physician Compensation Last Year
THURSDAY, Aug. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There was no meaningful increase in physician compensation in 2017, and a decline in productivity was noted, according to the results of a survey conducted by AMGA Consulting.
Press Release
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Many ED Visits for Antibiotic Adverse Drug Events in Children
THURSDAY, Aug. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Emergency department (ED) visits for antibiotic adverse drug events (ADEs) in children account for 46.2 percent of emergency department visits for ADEs resulting from systemic medication, according to a study published online Aug. 23 in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society.
MICs of Isoniazid, Rifampin May Predict Tuberculosis Relapse
THURSDAY, Aug. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In pretreatment isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, higher minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of isoniazid and rifampin below the standard resistance breakpoint are associated with increased risk of relapse, according to a study published in the Aug. 30 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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CDC: Salmonella Outbreak in 4 States Linked to Kosher Chicken
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — One person has died and 16 others sickened in a four-state Salmonella outbreak linked to kosher chicken, U.S. health officials say.
CDC: Greater Awareness of Valley Fever Needed Nationally
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Greater nationwide awareness of the fungal infection Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) is needed, according to a report published in the August issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Emerging Infectious Diseases.
Marketplace Premiums Increase More With Monopolist Insurers
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Affordable Care Act Marketplace premiums increase more in areas with monopolist insurers, according to a study published in the August issue of Health Affairs.
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State Public Health Workforce Grew From 2013 to 2017
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The state health department epidemiology workforce increased 22 percent from 2013 to 2017, according to research published in the Aug. 24 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Emotional Pain Tied to Health Care-Associated Infections
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patients with health care-associated infections (HAIs) suffer social and emotional pain, according to a review published in the August issue of the American Journal of Infection Control.
FDA: Hundreds of Human, Pet Homeopathy Products Recalled
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Hundreds of Dr. King’s water-based homeopathic drugs for children, adults, and pets may be unsafe to use because of high levels of microbial contamination, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Medical Practices Should Address Negative Online Reviews
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Medical practice staff can effectively handle negative online reviews by staying calm and positive, looking for solutions, apologizing, and thanking the reviewers, according to an article published in Physicians Practice.
Artificial Intelligence Holds Promise in Medicine
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Artificial intelligence (AI) in health care offers opportunities for early detection and triage, diagnostics and personalized medicine, and medical decision-making, according to an article published in Managed Healthcare Executive.
Skin Microbiota Differ for Obese, Non-Obese Undergoing C-Section
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — After cesarean delivery (CD), the incision site harbors a higher bacterial biomass in obese women than in non-obese women, according to a study recently published in Scientific Reports.
Alcohol Is Leading Risk Factor for Global Disease Burden
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Globally, alcohol use is a leading risk factor for disease burden, according to research published online Aug. 23 in The Lancet.
Physicians Lack Knowledge About Serogroup MenB Vaccination
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — U.S. pediatricians and family physicians (FPs) have considerable knowledge gaps regarding serogroup B meningococcal (MenB) vaccination, according to a study published online Aug. 20 in Pediatrics.
Experts Address Loss of the National Guideline Clearinghouse
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The demise of the National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC) in July 2018 is likely to impact evidence-based health care around the world, according to an Ideas and Opinions piece published online Aug. 28 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Two Ebola Patients Who Received Experimental Tx Have Recovered
MONDAY, Aug. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Two of the first 10 people to receive an experimental Ebola treatment have recovered from the highly dangerous disease, Congo’s health ministry says.
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Most Research Participants Not Concerned About Data Sharing
MONDAY, Aug. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Few participants in clinical trials have strong concerns about the risks of data sharing, according to a special article recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Smartphone App Can Help Improve Outcomes With HIV
MONDAY, Aug. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A smartphone app designed for people living with HIV increases users’ consistency in doctor visits and improves their health outcomes, according to a study recently published in AIDS Patient Care and STDs.
AMA Adopts Policy Promoting Health Equity As a Goal
FRIDAY, Aug. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates has adopted a policy that sets health equity as a goal for the U.S. health care system, according to a report published in the organization’s AMA Wire.
FDA: Illnesses Linked to McDonald’s Salads Reach 507
FRIDAY, Aug. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The number of confirmed cases of Cyclospora infection linked to salads from McDonald’s restaurants was 507 in 15 states and New York City as of Aug. 23, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
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Decline in Hospital-Acquired Conditions Continues
FRIDAY, Aug. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The rate of hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) continued its decline from 2014 to 2016, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) National Scorecard on Hospital-Acquired Conditions.
Education RE: Herd Immunity Can Up Readiness to Be Vaccinated
FRIDAY, Aug. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Educating adults about herd immunity can increase the proportion willing to be vaccinated for influenza, according to a study recently published in Vaccine.
1997 to 2015 Saw Increase in HIV Viral Suppression Rates
THURSDAY, Aug. 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 1997 to 2015 there was a considerable increase in HIV viral suppression rates among people living with HIV (PLWH), according to a study published online Aug. 21 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Small Practices Also at Risk for Data Breaches
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Data breaches can happen to small medical practices, but staff can take steps to prevent them, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
4 Experimental Ebola Therapies Approved for Use in Congo
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Four more experimental treatments for Ebola virus have been approved by the Congo health ministry for use in an outbreak of the deadly infectious disease in the country’s northeast.
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Strategy Outlined for Shooter Incident in Health Care Facility
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Adhering to a “secure, preserve, fight” strategy is recommended for health care professionals working with a vulnerable patient population, according to a Medicine and Society piece published in the Aug. 9 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Teen Smoke Exposure Tied to Increase in Related Symptoms
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Non-smoking adolescents with tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) have increased risk of TSE-related symptoms, according to a study published online Aug. 6 in Pediatrics.
National Provider Identifiers Are Vulnerable to Theft
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — National Provider Identifiers (NPIs) are vulnerable to identity theft, according to an article published in Physicians Practice.
Catch-Up HPV Doses Effective to Age 21 Against Cervical Neoplasia
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Catch-up doses of quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination are effective for girls and women aged 14 to 20 years at the time of first dose, according to a study published online Aug. 7 in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health.
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Advantages for HDHP Enrollees in Large Versus Small Firms
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Workers in small firms are more likely to have higher deductible levels and lack employer contributions to help pay for out-of-pocket expenses compared to workers in larger firms, according to a study published in the August issue of Health Affairs.
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Doctors Often Not Discussing Risk Factors With Patients
TUESDAY, Aug. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patients report that doctors are routinely not discussing known risk factors for common causes of death, according to a survey conducted by ImagineMD.
USPSTF Updates Guidance for Cervical Cancer Screening
TUESDAY, Aug. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has updated the recommendations for screening for cervical cancer; the final recommendation statement has been published in the Aug. 21 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Recommendation Statement
Evidence Report
Modeling Study
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Pennsylvania Case Could Affect Evidence for Malpractice Defense
TUESDAY, Aug. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case that could affect what evidence physicians may present in defense during medical malpractice suits, according to an article published in the American Medical Association’s AMA Wire.
Interim Guidance Provided for Men With Possible Zika Infection
TUESDAY, Aug. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Interim guidance recommends that men with possible Zika virus infection wait three months before trying to conceive or engaging in unprotected sex, according to research published in the Aug. 10 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Experts Offer Tips for Provider Appeal of Denied Medical Claims
MONDAY, Aug.20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Knowing payer policies and regulatory requirements is critical to appealing denials, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
NYU Becomes First Medical School to Cover All Tuition
MONDAY, Aug. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The NYU School of Medicine has announced that it is offering full-tuition scholarships to all current and future students in its M.D. degree program, regardless of need or merit.
Declines in Life Expectancy in Many High-Income Countries
MONDAY, Aug. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Life expectancy has declined in recent years in some high-income countries, and in the United States, midlife mortality has increased due to several causes, according to two studies published online Aug. 15 in The BMJ.
Abstract/Full Text – Ho and Hendi
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Little Global Development Assistance for Adolescent Health
MONDAY, Aug. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Development assistance for adolescent health (DAAH) makes up a small proportion of total development assistance for health, according to a study published online Aug. 10 in JAMA Network Open.
Comments Open on End of NIH Review for Gene Therapy Studies
FRIDAY, Aug. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A U.S. National Institutes of Health oversight panel will no longer review all applications for gene therapy experiments. Instead, the panel will assume an advisory role, while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will assess gene therapy experiments and products as it does with other treatments and drugs. The proposed change will take effect after a public comment period which runs through Oct. 16.
AP News Article
NIH Statement
Comment on Regulations
U.S. Measles Outbreak Hits 107 Cases in 21 States, D.C.
FRIDAY, Aug. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A measles outbreak that’s so far affected 21 states and the District of Columbia is being investigated by U.S. health officials.
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Report Details Corneal Infection Tied to Sleeping in Contacts
FRIDAY, Aug. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Six cases of corneal infections associated with sleeping in contact lenses are described in a case report published in the Aug. 17 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Residents’ Sleep Deteriorates During Training
FRIDAY, Aug. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — First-year residents experience worsening sleep duration and quality as well as daytime sleepiness, according to a study published in the June issue of the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
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Practice Names, Logos Should Be Carefully Designed
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Practice names and logos should be carefully designed to emphasize what is unique about a practice, according to a blog post published in Physicians Practice.
CDC: Brucellosis in Dogs Remains a Public Health Risk
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Brucella canis is an under-recognized infection in dogs that poses a threat to human health, according to a report published in the August issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Emerging Infectious Diseases.
NIH Panel Will No Longer Review Gene Therapy Experiments
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A U.S. National Institutes of Health oversight panel will no longer review all applications for gene therapy experiments, according to a perspective piece published online Aug. 15 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Abstract/Full Text
NIH Statement
Ibalizumab Active in Multidrug Resistant HIV-1 Infection
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Ibalizumab has antiviral activity among patients with multidrug resistant (MDR) HIV-1 infection, according to a study published in the Aug. 16 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Steps Provided for Discharging Patient From Practice
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Certain steps should be taken when discharging a patient for failure or inability to meet financial obligations, according to an article published in Physicians Practice.
Patient Portals Don’t Appear to Have Much Traction
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patient portals have not taken off as expected, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
ACA Coverage Gains Include Workers Without Insurance
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — After the expanded coverage provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) were implemented in 2014, self-employed individuals and wage earners without employer-sponsored health coverage offers had coverage gains equal to or greater than those of people not employed, according to a report published in the August issue of Health Affairs.
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Integration of Opioid, Infectious Disease Treatment Needed
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Steps should be taken to integrate treatment at the intersection of opioid use disorder (OUD) and related HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infectious disease epidemics, according to an Ideas and Opinion piece published online July 13 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The article was published to coincide with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) expert panel’s recommendations for treating opioid abuse and its related infectious epidemics.
Trends in HIV/AIDS Have Worsened in African-Americans
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Recommendations have been developed for addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the African-American community; the recommendations are presented in an article published in the June issue of the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities.
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HPV Legislation Doesn’t Impact Teen Sexual Behaviors
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Implementation of state legislation relating to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is not associated with changes in adolescent sexual behaviors, according to a study published online Aug. 13 in Pediatrics.
Zika, West Nile Cases Reported in Alabama
TUESDAY, Aug. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Multiple reports of Zika virus and West Nile virus are being investigated by Alabama health officials.
Alabama Public Health
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Completing Sepsis Bundle Within an Hour Cuts Pediatric Mortality
TUESDAY, Aug. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Completion of a one-hour sepsis bundle within one hour cuts mortality in pediatric patients, according to a study published in the July 24/31 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Intervention Cuts Risk for HIV in Young Transgender Women
TUESDAY, Aug. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A culturally specific, empowerment-based, and group-delivered behavioral prevention intervention can reduce sexual risk for HIV acquisition and transmission in sexually active young transgender women (YTW), according to a study published online Aug. 13 in JAMA Pediatrics.
6 Factors Related to Inclusion in Health Care Workplace ID’d
TUESDAY, Aug. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There are six broad factors that can affect inclusion within health care organizations, according to a study published online Aug. 3 in JAMA Network Open.
Four Pros to Integrating EHR, Practice Management Software
MONDAY, Aug. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Consolidating electronic health records and practice management software allows practices to save time and money, make fewer mistakes, and reduce the risk of privacy breaches, according to an article published in Physicians Practice.
Prenatal Tdap Vaccination Not Linked to Autism Risk
MONDAY, Aug. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Prenatal tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination is not associated with increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring, according to a study published online Aug. 13 in Pediatrics.
CDC: More Than 400 Sickened by McDonald’s Salads
MONDAY, Aug. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The number of confirmed cases of a parasite-caused illness linked to McDonald’s Fresh Express Salad Mix is now 436 in 15 states, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.
Neurodevelopmental Anomalies, Birth Defects Linked to Zika ID’d
MONDAY, Aug. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Many children of mothers with evidence of confirmed or possible Zika virus infection during pregnancy do not undergo all recommended evaluations, according to a Vital Signs report published in the Aug. 10 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
FDA Warns Against Long-Term Azithromycin Use for Some
MONDAY, Aug. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning patients with cancers of the blood or lymph nodes who undergo a donor stem cell transplant not to take azithromycin, as long-term use of the antibiotic has been associated with increased risk of cancer relapse.
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C. difficile Tied to Increased Graft Loss in Solid Organ Recipients
MONDAY, Aug. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is associated with increased graft loss, according to a study published in the July issue of the American Journal of Transplantation.
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Bundling Doesn’t Cut Medicare Payments for Medical Conditions
FRIDAY, Aug. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Bundling of payments for five common medical conditions is not associated with changes in Medicare payments per episode or health outcomes, according to a study published in the July 19 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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AMA Adopts Policy on Augmented Intelligence
FRIDAY, Aug. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates has adopted a policy on augmented intelligence, according to a report published in the association’s AMA Wire.
AMA Adopts Policy to Advance Gender Equity in Medicine
THURSDAY, Aug. 9, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates has adopted a new policy to study, act for, and advocate to advance gender equity in medicine, according to a report published in the association’s AMA Wire.
Vaccinations Begin in Congo Ebola Outbreak
THURSDAY, Aug. 9, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Vaccinations against Ebola began yesterday in an effort to stem the latest outbreak in Congo.
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Infection Prevention Differs Between Small, Large Hospitals
THURSDAY, Aug. 9, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Small and large hospitals differ in infection preventionist (IP) staffing and infection prevention and control (IPC) resources, according to a study published in the August issue of the American Journal of Infection Control.
Cyber Insurance Recommended for All Physician Practices
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The growing threat of hacking is increasing the number of physicians buying cyber insurance, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Measles Case Reported in Minnesota
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A Somali-American child in Minnesota has been diagnosed with the measles after returning from a trip to Africa, state health officials said Tuesday, adding that the unidentified 5-year-old in Hennepin County was not vaccinated, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.
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Steps Taken to Increase Use of Electronic Tools in Medicine
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Additional codes have been approved by the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Editorial Panel for chronic care remote physiologic monitoring and internet consultations, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
AMA Proposes Policy Opposing Medicaid ‘Lockout’ Provisions
TUESDAY, Aug. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A new policy opposing lockout provisions that block Medicaid patients from the program for lengthy periods and instead supporting allowing patients to reapply immediately for redetermination was adopted by the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates during the AMA’s annual meeting in Chicago, according to an article published in the association’s AMA Wire.
HIV, Syphilis Screening Low With ED-Diagnosed PID in Adolescents
TUESDAY, Aug. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — HIV and syphilis screening rates are low among adolescents who are diagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in the emergency department, according to a study published in the August issue of Pediatrics.
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New Tick Species Spreading in the United States
TUESDAY, Aug. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The first new tick species to appear in the United States in 50 years is spreading rapidly in the east and has been confirmed in seven states and the suburbs of New York City.
Death Records Estimate 1,139 Deaths Due to Hurricane Maria
TUESDAY, Aug. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Based on death records following Hurricane Maria, the hurricane-related mortality burden of excess deaths through December 2017 is estimated to be 1,139, higher than the official death toll of 64, according to a research letter published online Aug. 2 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Thirteen Confirmed Ebola Cases in Latest Congo Outbreak
MONDAY, Aug. 6, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The number of confirmed cases in a new Ebola outbreak in Congo has reached 13, including three deaths, the country’s health ministry said late Saturday. It also said there were 30 probable cases and 33 suspected cases, the Associated Press reported.
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Good Outcomes for HCV-Negative Recipients of HCV Kidneys
MONDAY, Aug. 6, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-negative recipients of HCV-infected kidneys experience HCV cure and good quality of life, according to research published online Aug. 7 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Rifampin Effective for Latent Tuberculosis in Children
MONDAY, Aug. 6, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In children with latent tuberculosis, a regimen of four months of rifampin has better rates of completion than nine months of isoniazid, with similar safety profiles, according to a study published in the Aug. 2 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Some Bacteria Now More Tolerant of Alcohol-Based Sanitizers
FRIDAY, Aug. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Some types of bacteria are developing tolerance of alcohol-based hand sanitizers used in hospitals, according to a study published in the Aug. 1 issue of Science Translational Medicine.
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Variation in Specialty Drug Coverage Across Health Plans
FRIDAY, Aug. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There is considerable variation in specialty drug coverage across commercial health plans, according to a study published in the July issue of Health Affairs.
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Rifampin Similar to Isoniazid for Preventing Active Tuberculosis
FRIDAY, Aug. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A four-month regimen of rifampin is similar to a nine-month regimen of isoniazid for the prevention of active tuberculosis, according to a study published in the Aug. 2 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Groups Urge CMS to Reconsider Suspending Risk Adjustment
FRIDAY, Aug. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In a letter sent to Administrator Seema Verma of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), medical organizations are urging reconsideration of the decision to suspend payments to insurers as required under the Affordable Care Act’s risk-adjustment program.
Health Affairs Announces Launch of New Three-Year Initiative
THURSDAY, Aug. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A council on health care spending and value has been established by the journal Health Affairs.
Three Financial Metrics Can Improve Practice Performance
THURSDAY, Aug. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — By understanding three indices and metrics, physicians can change the financial outcome of their medical practice, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
New Ebola Outbreak in Congo
THURSDAY, Aug. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Just a week after being declared Ebola-free, the Democratic Republic of Congo said yesterday that a new outbreak of the deadly virus has killed at least 20 people.
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CDC: Salmonella Outbreaks in 44 States Linked to Backyard Poultry
THURSDAY, Aug. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — At least 212 people in 44 states have been sickened in Salmonella outbreaks linked to contact with live poultry in backyard flocks, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
New Short-Term Health Plans Have Large Coverage Gaps
THURSDAY, Aug. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There are large coverage gaps in short-term health plans that were approved Wednesday by the Trump administration, and are described by critics as “junk insurance.”
New York City 2013 Measles Outbreak Proved Costly
THURSDAY, Aug. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Vaccine refusals and delays, particularly in young children, fueled a large measles outbreak following importation of a case into the United States, according to a study published online July 30 in JAMA Pediatrics.
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How Doctors Receive Feedback Is Key for Antimicrobial Programs
THURSDAY, Aug. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Anticipation of how providers will receive feedback is important for antimicrobial stewardship programs to consider in informing educational messaging, according to a study published online June 7 in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.
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National Guideline Clearinghouse Offline Due to Funding Cuts
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC) and National Quality Measures Clearinghouse (NQMC) websites were taken down on July 16 when funding for these federal databases ended, according to an announcement by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
Dog’s Saliva Caused Bacterial Infection Leading to Amputations
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A Wisconsin man had his lower legs and hands amputated after developing a rare blood infection caused by bacteria in dog saliva.
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Update on Salmonella Outbreak Tied to Hy-Vee Spring Pasta Salad
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A Salmonella outbreak linked to Hy-Vee Spring Pasta Salad has now sickened 79 people in nine states. Eighteen people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.
FDA Recall Notice
CDC Food Safety Alert
Steps Can Be Taken by Doctors to Minimize Risk of Lawsuits
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Targeted steps can be taken to minimize future risks of lawsuits, according to an article published in Physicians Practice.
Evidence Exists for Persistence, Transmission of Ebola Virus
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There is evidence for persistence of Ebola virus and transmission from a persistently infected individual, according to case study published online July 23 in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
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Several Invasive Procedures Linked to Infective Endocarditis
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Several invasive medical procedures, including cardiovascular procedures and procedures of the skin and management of wounds, are associated with increased risk of infective endocarditis, according to a study published in the June 19 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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