Mackenzie Bean

In its first meeting since June, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted in favor of several key recommendations that would alter federal vaccine guidelines if adopted by the CDC. Five takeaways: 1. Day one. On Sept. 18, ACIP voted 8-3, with one member abstaining, to not recommend the…

As health systems continue to discipline employees for inflammatory social media posts, chief marketing officers told Becker’s it’s a constant struggle to inform and police staff about their online activities. Over the past few years, health systems have fired employees or put out public statements after staffers’ controversial takes on…

In 2024, healthcare facilities voluntarily reported 1,575 serious harmful events to The Joint Commission, which has been tracking sentinel events since 1996.  The Joint Commission defines a sentinel event as a patient safety event that results in severe temporary harm, permanent harm or death. Because the reports are voluntary, the…

Wellstar Health System is implementing an AI platform to streamline nurse scheduling at each of its 11 hospitals after a successful pilot program.  During a six-month pilot period, the Atlanta-based system tested use of an AI scheduling copilot called Swift at three hospitals. The platform, created by Vflok, an AI…

U.S. lawmakers introduced the Telehealth Modernization Act of 2025 on Sept. 2 with the aim of preventing Medicare telehealth flexibilities from expiring at the end of the month. Without congressional action, key pandemic-era waivers will lapse on Sept. 30. The bill, led by Reps. Buddy Carter and Debbie Dingell, would…

Clinician burnout may be one of the most pressing and widespread challenges in today’s healthcare environment. In the U.S., research reveals that physicians are 82% more likely to experience burnout than those in other occupations. The consequences are dire, costing the U.S. healthcare system approximately $4.6 billion annually in lost…

Health systems are rethinking nurse employment models to meet growing demands for flexibility and improve retention.  The post-pandemic nursing workforce has largely stabilized, and systems have shifted to a focus on retention and long-term pipeline development. In 2024, turnover rates for staff registered nurses decreased by 2.4%, resulting in a…

The FDA has made public dozens of warning letters sent to drug companies accused of misleading or deceptive advertising.  The disclosures come after the agency said Sept. 9 it would be sending thousands of warning letters and 100 cease-and-desist letters to drug companies over deceptive advertising.  A day later, President…

Hospitals serving socioeconomically disadvantaged communities are less likely to adopt health IT tools such as telehealth and health information exchange platforms. The finding comes from a study published Sept. 5 in JAMA Health Forum, which analyzed 16,646 hospital-level and 9,218 health information exchange observations from the American Hospital Association’s annual…

The Joint Commission awarded three individuals and organizations for excellence in patient safety and healthcare quality. The John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Awards, launched in 2002, recognize major achievements by individuals and organizations to improve care and safety. There are three categories: Individual achievement: Individuals who have demonstrated…

There is a small, but growing group of people who are pushing patient care into the future: nurse scientists. Nurse scientists, also referred to as nurse researchers, are nurses who have pursued a PhD and conduct research. Most commonly found in academia, nurse scientists often apply for grants, teach students…

Childhood vaccination rates in the U.S. have decreased to their lowest levels in years, coming amid turmoil at the CDC and shifting federal guidance on COVID-19 vaccines.  Here are four things to know:  An NBC News analysis published Sept. 15 of state records showed that since 2019, 77% of U.S.…

Athens, Ga.-based St. Mary’s Health Care System has shared plans to end labor and delivery services at St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital in Lavonia, Ga., and consolidate them with those at its St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens, due to continued “significant challenges.” St. Mary’s Medical Group will also end care…

Hospitals and health systems are shifting their view of compensation to consider it not as a standalone lever, but as one element of a comprehensive workforce strategy. Organizations are pairing competitive pay with initiatives focused on upskilling, leadership development and recognition to enhance employee engagement and retention. Becker’s connected with…

Cleveland-based University Hospitals has activated a whole-hospital virtual nursing program at UH Lake West Medical Center, expanding its connected care team initiative. The program, which went live Sept. 17, uses Vitalchat’s AI-powered video platform to extend the reach of nurses through secure, two-way communication, according to the news release. Virtual…

More than 1 million U.S. nurses are expected to retire by 2030 — far outpacing the projected number of new nurse graduates, according to research published Sept. 16.  A study at the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, based in Washington, D.C., investigated the growing skills shortage across…

California is the most diverse state in the U.S., and West Virginia is the least, according to a new analysis from WalletHub, published Sept. 16. The personal finance website compared states across six dimensions of diversity: socioeconomic, cultural, economic, household, religious and political. Analysts evaluated those dimensions across 14 metrics,…

Here are four new drug shortages and discontinuations, according to drug supply databases from the FDA and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.  Gemcitabine hydrochloride injection: Hospira has discontinued manufacturing of its 200 milligram/5.26 milliliter, 1 gram/26.3 milliliter and 2 gram/52.6 milliliter NovaPlus single-dose glass vials of gemcitabine hydrochloride injection,…

Leaders from some of the top hospitals for emergency department excellence are sharing their low-lift processes and practices that helped them earn national honors. In July, the Emergency Nurses Association recognized 96 hospital emergency departments for demonstrating outstanding leadership, practice, education and advocacy that resulted in improved patient care and…

While clogged arteries are the most common cause of heart attacks, more than half of heart attacks in women under the age of 65 can be attributed to other causes, according to a study published Sept. 15 in JACC.  Led by Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic researchers, the study analyzed data…

Prosecutors in Florida have charged 12 former nursing school owners and employees with conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with a coordinated scheme to sell thousands of fraudulent diplomas and transcripts to aspiring nurses. Four notes: 1. On Sept. 15, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of…

Amazon has added Fay, a dietitian platform, as the first nutrition care service available through its Health Benefits Connector. The collaboration allows eligible Amazon customers to discover and enroll in Fay’s insurance-covered nutrition services while browsing for wellness and health benefits, according to a Sept. 16 news release. Fay connects…

Congress is staring down a fast-approaching Sept. 30 government funding deadline. For hospitals and health systems, the outcome could shape years of strategy and operations. House Republicans are preparing to introduce a short-term continuing resolution to keep the government open through Nov. 20, but Democrats are warning they won’t support…

More than half of U.S. healthcare workers plan to change roles in the next year, according to a recent survey from Strategic Education. Fifty-five percent of respondents said they plan to search for job openings, interview for new positions or switch roles within a year — either within their current…