Category: ROOT

High intensity ER billing is on the rise, study finds

The number of “high-intensity bills” for patients treated and then released from emergency rooms is increasing, according to a study published in the December issue of Health Affairs. 

20 states allow pharmacists to prescribe birth control

Pharmacists can now prescribe birth control in 20 states, and 10 other state legislatures are working toward expanding access to the contraception at pharmacy counters, according to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. 

'Nocebos' more likely in vaccine-hesitant patients, study finds

Being hesitant toward COVID-19 vaccines could result in more side effects after a shot is administered — a phenomenon of negative opinions spurring negative health outcomes, which is nicknamed “nocebos” — according to a study published Dec. 5 in Nature…

New Hampshire health system appoints CIO

New Bedford, N.H.-based SolutionHealth has named Debra Dulac, BSN, RN, senior vice president and CIO, according to a news release shared Dec. 6 with Becker’s.

Viewpoint: Closing pediatric units is short-sighted and reflects a broken system

While hospital systems focus on more lucrative adult care operations, often sacrificing pediatric care in the process, the consequences of such decisions are often ignored, Brenna Miller, a health communications specialist at think tank the Lown Instit…

How physicians really feel about NPs, PAs

The majority of physicians (91 percent) say they have a good, or very good, relationship with  the physician assistants at their workplaces, according to a new Medscape survey of over 750 practicing physicians. 

The 12 best ASCs of 2022, per Leapfrog

Twelve ASCs have been named the best of 2022 by patient safety reporter Leapfrog. The award is based on key factors including infection rates and error prevention.

'Historic' pay raises avert planned nurses strike in Minnesota

Members of the Minnesota Nurses Association have reached tentative three-year contracts with hospital executives, averting a planned strike by 15,000 nurses in the Twin Cities and Twin Ports.

Pfizer countersues Moderna in COVID-19 vaccine patent infringement case

Pfizer and BioNTech filed a countersuit against Moderna Dec. 5 over their rival COVID-19 vaccines made from the same mRNA technology, court documents show. 

Missouri parking garage converted to 24K-square-foot ASC

Jefferson City, Mo.-based Capital Region Medical Center has converted a hospital parking garage into the 24,000-square-foot Goldschmidt Surgery Center, according to a Dec. 6 report from the News Tribune.