Paige Twenter

A higher body mass index in older adults is associated with lower 30-day mortality rates after major elective surgery, according to research published Aug. 26 in JAMA.  A BMI above 25 has been linked to postoperative outcomes in the general population, leading clinicians to recommend weight loss before patients undergo…

As hospitals and health systems expand their use of AI, leaders say clear communication with boards and executives is essential to temper enthusiasm with realistic expectations. Rohit Chandra, PhD, chief digital officer at Cleveland Clinic, described AI as a promising tool to expand care while enhancing safety, quality, and patient…

UT Medical Center has expanded its longstanding partnership with the University of Tennessee Knoxville College of Nursing by investing in a new facility and additional scholarships for students. Four notes:  1. Over the past five years, the institutions’ collaboration has supported a 24.5% increase in nursing school enrollment, according to…

Eversana, a pharmaceutical distributor and marketing company, has acquired a software company with plans to disrupt “the industry’s misaligned incentives and fragmented patient experiences,” according to an Aug. 26 news release.  The acquired firm, Waltz Health, offers prescription drug-pricing technology to health plans and employers. The software compares prescription savings…

With drug costs rising, workforce shortages intensifying, and new therapies reshaping care delivery, pharmacy leaders are facing more complexity — and responsibility — than ever. That’s why Becker’s is bringing together hundreds of health plan leaders to transform the industry. Becker’s Healthcare will host its Spring Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit…

AbbVie is acquiring Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals’ lead drug candidate bretisilocin, used to treat moderate to severe major depressive disorder, for up to $1.2 billion.  Bretisilocin is a psychedelic compound that targets the 5-HT2A receptor and releases serotonin, according to an Aug. 25 news release from AbbVie. It is meant to deliver…

OptumRx, a UnitedHealth subsidiary, is tracking three new drugs this year:  Brensocatib: An oral treatment for noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis which gained FDA approval Aug. 12. It is the first targeted therapy for the chronic lung condition and has shown reduced exacerbations in clinical trials. Tolebrutinib: An oral therapy under FDA…

More than half of health systems are understaffed in surgical departments, and about 60% of operations start later than scheduled, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. These delays ripple outward, increasing costs, wasting supplies and adding to clinician burnout while some patients wait weeks or months for…

New York City-based Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has developed an artificial intelligence-powered image analysis tool, MARQO, to accelerate cancer tissue processing. The tool works by extracting cellular and spatial information from tumor tissue slides. It supports immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining methods and is compatible with standard graphics…

Health systems are increasingly turning to outsourcing as a strategy to address operational inefficiencies and financial pressures. Recent moves by several systems reflect a growing trend of delegating revenue cycle and IT responsibilities to external partners to improve agility, cut costs and redirect focus to patient care. Roseville, Calif.-based Adventist…