Coronavirus deaths in kids echoes toll in adults, CDC says
A detailed look at COVID-19 deaths in U.S. kids and young adults released Tuesday shows they mirror patterns seen in older patients. More
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Are lung function algorithms perpetuating health disparities experienced by Black people?
Is the use of race-based lung function algorithms blinding clinicians (and society) to the health harms of structural racism? More
Letter Warns Against Clinical Role for Cardiac MRI in Asymptomatic COVID Patients
The publication of several studies using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging raised public fears over increased risk to the heart in patients following infection with COVID-19. More
Hospital Pays $50M to Settle Charges It Overpaid Docs for Referrals
"There are many well-paid lawyers whose job it is to figure out what this hospital did, but in a way that passes legal muster," he said. "If you're complying with the letter of the law but violating the spirit of the law, what good is that? There is a soft creeping corruption in these arrangements all over the country." Dealmaking of this type is symptomatic of profit-driven healthcare, Saini said: "We have a system in which hospitals really have to compete for revenue and high-margin business because we treat them like a normal business. But healthcare is not a normal economic activity. There is a fundamental disconnect here." More
COVID-19 test charges range from one cent to $14,750, study finds
The CARES Act lets out-of-network providers set their own prices for COVID-19 diagnostic and antibody tests. A new study finds that has resulted in a wide range of charges. More
When private equity firms invest in women’s health clinics, who benefits?
The substantial rise of private equity investment in women's health and fertility clinics comes with unknown implications. More
Should You Go to the Doctor’s Office During Covid-19?
The risk of getting the virus at a check-up is low. But telemedicine is an even better bet. More
The Case for Algorithmic Stewardship for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Technologies
Algorithms, or computer-implementable instructions to perform specific tasks, are available for clinical use, including complex artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms and simple rule-based algorithms. More
Why we need to reduce low-value carotid imaging
To what extent have efforts to change clinician habits worked, when it comes to low-value carotid imaging? We interviewed Dr. Tim Anderson, co-author of a recent study on the topic, to find out more. More
A New Prescription: A Dose of Live Music for Hospital Patients
A professional violist is playing for neurology patients at a Chicago hospital to study music’s effect on their anxiety and isolation; “It’s very comforting for people when they’re sick.” More
With No Legal Guardrails for Patients, Ambulances Drive Surprise Medical Billing
Studies show that at least half of ground ambulance rides across the nation leave patients with “surprise” medical bills. And a $300-a-mile ride is not unusual. More
Value-based care now at risk
Both CMS and healthcare providers are using COVID-19 as an excuse to cut back on their experiments in value-based care, a severe blow to those hoping the pandemic would catalyze badly needed change. More
Are hospitals making money treating COVID-19 patients?
Wealthier health systems might be generating a margin treating COVID-19 patients, while others are losing money. Policy experts urge HHS to consider that divide when allocating remaining grant money from the CARES Act. More
Why hospitals don’t treat everyone equally
Local hospitals that treat large numbers of poor and uninsured patients scored the best in a new national ranking that evaluates hospitals based on their commitment to equity, inclusion and community health. Meanwhile, hospitals owned by some of the area's largest chains, including Northwestern Medicine and Advocate Aurora Health, got lower marks from the Lown Institute, a think tank based in Brookline, Mass. "As a business person, it makes perfect sense to go where the revenue opportunity is," says Lown President Dr. Vikas Saini. "If you say, go where the rich people are or go where the white people are, it doesn't sound so good." More
New Research Shows Disproportionate Rate of Coronavirus Deaths in Polluted Areas
The type of pollution emitted by many chemical plants in Louisiana's industrial corridor is correlated with increased coronavirus deaths, according to new peer-reviewed research from SUNY and ProPublica. More
VIDEO: Why do we need safety net hospitals?
What are safety net hospitals and why do they matter? In this latest edition of “Lown Hospitals Q&A,” Shannon Brownlee and Vikas Saini answer three questions about safety net hospitals. More
Pregnancy poses challenges for people in recovery from substance use disorder. Covid-19 is taxing their support system
Covid-19 has created a new set of challenges for an essential support network for mothers in recovery. More
Federal aid results in soaring profits for some hospitals
Pandemic relief money more than made up for lost revenues at some hospitals More
Improved Outcomes With an Enhanced Recovery Approach to Cesarean Delivery
A pre–post design was used to assess changes in opioid use, length of stay, and costs among all patients undergoing cesarean delivery before and after implementation of an evidence-based ERAS pathway for the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative management of patients beginning December 2018. More
The Impact of Coronavirus on Households Across America
This NPR, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and RWJF polling series examines the most serious health and financial problems facing households across America prior to the expiration of federal coronavirus support programs. More