Preventive care is free by law, but many Americans get incorrectly billed − especially if you’re poor, a person of color or don’t have a college degree

Patients often bear the cost of unexpected bills for basic preventive services such as wellness visits and cancer screenings.

Michal Horný, Assistant Professor of Health Policy and Management, UMass Amherst • conversation
Sept. 18, 2024 • ~7 min

Hospital-acquired infections are rising – here’s how to protect yourself in health care settings

Some of the infections are showing an increased resistance to antibiotics.

Nasia Safdar, Professor of Infectious Disease, University of Wisconsin-Madison • conversation
July 26, 2024 • ~8 min

Making emergency rooms ‘pediatric ready’ saves lives

Making hospital EDs ready to provide basic health care to kids could cost as little as $4 to $8 per patient while improving survival rates.

U. Texas Austin • futurity
June 18, 2024 • ~4 min

Infections after surgery are more likely due to bacteria already on your skin than from microbes in the hospital − new research

Most infection prevention guidelines center on the hospital environment rather than the patient. But the source of antibiotic-resistant microbes is often from the patient’s own body.

Chloe Bryson-Cahn, Associate Professor of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Washington • conversation
April 10, 2024 • ~9 min

Many travel nurses opt for temporary assignments because of the autonomy and opportunities − not just the big boost in pay

A new study found that temporary assignments in new places reignited nurses’ passion to help others and helped them rediscover the meaningfulness of their work.

Ivan Gan, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies, University of Houston-Downtown • conversation
March 29, 2024 • ~4 min

AI tool is no better at predicting sepsis than a coin toss

A widely used artificial intelligence tool for early sepsis detection may not be all its cracked up to be, researchers report.

Kate McAlpine-Michigan • futurity
Feb. 21, 2024 • ~6 min

Hispanic patients on ventilators are more likely to be heavily sedated

Hispanic people with respiratory failure are five times more likely to be heavily sedated on a ventilator. The finding may explain the disparity in deaths.

Rachel Harrison-NYU • futurity
Feb. 15, 2024 • ~6 min

Nonprofit hospitals have an obligation to help their communities, but the people who live nearby may see little benefit

Standards are vague, and the IRS, which is tasked with enforcement, hasn’t provided much oversight.

Daniel Skinner, Associate Professor of Health Policy, Ohio University • conversation
Jan. 29, 2024 • ~10 min

High rate of diagnostic error in ICU patients

In an analysis of electronic health records researchers found errors in assessing patients, or errors in ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests.

Harvard Gazette • harvard
Jan. 9, 2024 • ~5 min

Care riskier for patients at private equity hospitals

Study finds a steep decline in quality and safety measures, such as fall and infection hazards, after buyouts.

HMS Communications • harvard
Jan. 2, 2024 • ~8 min

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