Research
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CMS support software mandate for imaging decisions backed by MIT study
Across more than 3,500 healthcare providers observed by researchers, those using clinical decision support software ordered fewer expensive CT scans.
By Maria Rachal • April 12, 2019 -
Doctors see some promise, confusion for patient monitoring devices: study
Two-thirds of physicians "strongly intend" to monitor patients remotely in the future, but less than half predict patients will track every aspect of their health, according to an industry survey.
By David Lim • April 12, 2019 -
Google, Fitbit, AdvaMed join to advance AI tools
The Consumer Health Technology-led initiative will provide standards and best practices for AI use in healthcare, including ethics and bias issues.
By Meg Bryant • April 08, 2019 -
Abiomed reports improved survival rates in cardiogenic shock patients
The company said data from an observational database and post-approval studies show development of a best practices protocol can significantly improve patient outcomes.
By Susan Kelly • April 08, 2019 -
Medtronic analysis tracks reduced strokes in HVAD patients
Ailing from declining sales of its left ventricular assist devices, the company said a retrospective analysis showed blood pressure management helped reduce serious strokes in patients implanted with its HeartWare system.
By Susan Kelly • April 08, 2019 -
Medtronic touts pain pump cost effectiveness for cancer patients in JAMA
While the medtech giant is likely to push its pain pump as an alternative to oral opioids, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network only recommends such targeted drug therapy for a subset of patients.
By David Lim • April 08, 2019 -
New TAVR analysis adds to CMS volume-outcomes debate
A New England Journal of Medicine analysis of nearly 100,000 transfemoral TAVR procedures between 2015 and 2017 showed hospitals with high procedural volumes had significantly better patient outcomes.
By Maria Rachal • April 04, 2019 -
Q1'19 digital health investments slow, but IPOs brewing
The latest data from Rock Health shows M&A was also down, with 21 acquisitions compared to quarterly averages of 31 deals in recent years.
By Maria Rachal • April 02, 2019 -
App store quality claims for mental health apps rarely backed up
A new study in Nature said of 73 mental health apps examined, two described "low-quality, primary evidence" to support their use and just one referenced published literature.
By Meg Bryant • March 28, 2019 -
Not even money prods patients to mail-in colon tests, study suggests
The fecal immunochemical test is used to find small amounts of blood in the stool that could be a sign of cancer or polyps.
By Susan Kelly • March 25, 2019 -
Breast implants, metal hips and other device materials under new FDA scrutiny
Symptoms such as fatigue, rash, joint and muscle pain or weakness may not appear until years after a device is implanted, FDA said.
By David Lim • March 18, 2019 -
Apple heart study: Early proof of concept, or a gimmick?
Doctors at the American College of Cardiology meeting said the Apple Watch's foray into health monitoring needs more data to prove its value.
By David Lim • March 16, 2019 -
Diagnostic errors compounded by EHRs No. 1 safety fear: ECRI
"We have to recognize the limits of current technology and ensure that we have processes in place to close the loop on diagnostic tests," the medical device watchdog's William Marcella said.
By Meg Bryant • March 12, 2019 -
Low upfront costs fuel investor interest in health app startups, analysts say
A new report highlights low development costs as a factor that may encourage new entrants to stick with the sector despite changing regulations and concerns about data security.
By Nick Paul Taylor • March 07, 2019 -
Paying patients to shop MRIs results in some savings: Health Affairs
Price reductions were mostly seen in imaging services. During the first 12 months of the program, MRI prices fell by 4.7%, ultrasound by 2.5%, mammograms by 1.7% and CT scans by 1.4%.
By Meg Bryant • March 05, 2019 -
Amazon Web Services working with Beth Israel Deaconess in AI push
The Boston teaching hospital used AWS machine learning to optimize scheduling for 41 operating rooms and improve inpatient flow.
By Meg Bryant • March 05, 2019 -
Blood test identifies proteins to predict preterm birth
Researchers found that five circulating microparticle proteins in first trimester blood samples could help predict risk, including among first-time mothers.
By Susan Kelly • March 04, 2019 -
Introduction of robotic surgery cuts endometrial cancer complications: JAMA
The study linked minimally invasive procedures to significantly fewer severe complications than open procedures.
By Nick Paul Taylor • Feb. 27, 2019 -
Improper inhaler use common among majority of asthmatics: study
Research funded by digital therapeutics company Propeller Health — recently picked up by ResMed — used sensors attached to inhalers to find 84% of asthmatics may not properly administer their medication.
By Maria Rachal • Feb. 22, 2019 -
HIMSS19: Doctors don't know what to do with data from wearables
"If you present this data and bring in your device and say 'here I have this heart rate data from the last month' we're going to say, 'that's great, but we don't know what it really means,'" a Mayo Clinic medical director said.
By David Lim • Feb. 15, 2019 -
HIMSS19: Medical device cybersecurity still top concern
The WannaCry attack highlighted the need for hospitals to have a better understanding of medical devices in their inventory in order to better be equipped to respond to cyberattacks.
By David Lim • Feb. 15, 2019 -
HIMSS19: CMS plans to host AI challenge, innovation chief says
The goal of the initiative is to spur private interest in the tech, improve the government's grasp on healthcare data, eliminate unnecessary care and cut costs, Adam Boehler said.
By Rebecca Pifer • Feb. 14, 2019 -
HIMSS19: Digital health 'at peak investment cycle,' expert says
Last year's record level of investment into United States digital health companies came despite a lull in initial public offerings.
By David Lim • Feb. 14, 2019 -
Digital health must catch up to years of hype in 2019, HIMSS says
The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society also forecasts the sector will face rising consumer pressures and see increased use of social determinants of health data.
By Rebecca Pifer • Jan. 31, 2019 -
J&J data suggests its stapler reduces more lung surgery air leaks than competitor
The company pointed to research indicating use of its Ethicon surgical stapler in a lung cancer procedure led to less than half the rate of air leak complications than Medtronic's design did.
By Susan Kelly • Jan. 29, 2019
