First-Time Cesarean Deliveries Increased in Recent Years
Cesarean deliveries have increased in the U.S. over the last few years, driven by a rise in patients who underwent first-time C-sections, according to a CDC report. While the rate of primary C-sections fluctuated from 2016 to 2019, it increased from 2019 to 2021 among women in all age groups, reported Michelle Osterman, MHS, of […]
Researchers develop rapid COVID-19 test to identify variants in hours: Determining patient’s strain previously required lengthy whole genome sequencing
Last year, pathologist Jeffrey SoRelle, M.D., and colleagues developed CoVarScan, a rapid COVID-19 test that detects the signatures of eight hotspots on the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Now, after testing CoVarScan on more than 4,000 patient samples collected at UT Southwestern, the team reports in Clinical Chemistry that their test is as accurate as other methods used […]
Interactive Map: Abortion Bans and Penalties
Since last week’s U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned Roe, MedPage Today has updated its interactive map to show where abortion bans have gone into effect. The map still details the penalties providers face in each state. Below are additional details on abortion bans that have gone into effect […]
One Class at a Texas University Dodges the Financial Burden of Med School
Last week, Fort Worth’s Texas Christian University (TCU) School of Medicine announced that the Class of 2024 received a financial gift from an anonymous donor that fully covers tuition for the next academic year, marking the second such gift for the 60-student class. One of the lucky students, Hanna Makk, noted that this will change […]
How Long Does the Shingrix Vaccine Last? 4 Years, 2 Dosages & Side Effects
Effects of the Shingrix vaccine last for at least four years in most people The effects of the Shingrix vaccine last for at least four years in most people and may last even longer in some. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you do not need a booster dose after getting the […]
‘There’s Nothing to Repair’: Emergency Docs on Injuries From Assault Weapons
Last Tuesday, Christopher Colwell, MD, chief of emergency medicine at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, was looking forward to a rare dinner that his entire family of five would be able to attend. He had left his shift at the emergency department and drove straight home, listening to music in the car […]
Abortion Rights Advocates Slam New Oklahoma Law
Abortion rights advocates are decrying a law passed by the Oklahoma legislature last week that would ban all abortions in the state from the moment of fertilization, with exceptions for rape and incest only if they are reported to law enforcement. “Without abortion access at the local level, people will lose the ability to make […]
Second California Nurse Dies by Suicide on the Job
A nurse took his own life at Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center last week, marking the second apparent suicide by a nurse in a matter of months. On April 30, the nurse shot himself in the supply closet halfway through his shift in the emergency department, according to NBC Bay Area. His name has […]
New Surprise Billing Arbitration Guidance May Give Docs More Wiggle Room
Last week, CMS updated guidance on the heavily disputed aspects of an arbitration process for resolving payment disagreements between insurers and providers under the No Surprises Act. The updates to this guidance were made in response to a Texas ruling that compelled HHS to change how dispute resolution entities would approach the pricing benchmark known […]
Scientific-Integrity Watchdog Slaps Lawsuit on Maker of Homeopathic Pills
A nonprofit scientific advocacy group sued Boiron last week for deceptively marketing its homeopathic products, legal documents show. The Center for Inquiry (CFI) filed the lawsuit Thursday against Boiron, a Pennsylvania-based manufacturer that sells homeopathic treatments, claiming that the company deceives customers about the nature and effectiveness of its products. The complaint alleges that Boiron […]