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Andriy Vengrenyuk, MS, senior data analyst for interventional cardiology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, explains a pilot program where artificial intelligence (AI) virtual agents call patients prior to their cath lab procedures to save nursing staff time doing administrative tasks.

Mount Sinai Hospital in New York is now using AI-powered virtual agents to call some patients before cath lab procedures. The move was designed to help nurses focus more on patient care and reduce their risk of burnout.

fork in the road

2026 may be the year that many if not most healthcare leaders arrive at a fork in the road to mature AI implementation. 

The judgment includes $30 million in punitive damages. The lawsuit was brought by Maria Gatchalian, a NICU nurse who said she was fired for reporting patient safety concerns to management. The health system said it intends to appeal the court's decision. 

The U.S. Department of Justice said the defendants, five ophthalmology clinics in Florida, would pay kickbacks to a testing company that performed unnecessary transcranial Doppler ultrasounds. Prosecutors said an investigation into incidents of Medicare and Medicaid fraud stemming from the conspiracy is ongoing.

Medicare Money

The bill announced by two Democratic members of the state House of Representatives would guarantee coverage to everyone in the commonwealth—but many of the details have yet to be revealed. 

Cardiologists employed by a hospital appear to be more likely to pursue cardiac catheterization or angioplasty than independent cardiologists. female physician male

CMS is considering substantial updates to its TAVR policies, including coverage for asymptomatic patients. Some stakeholders are excited, embracing the possibility of expanded indications and fewer restrictions. Others are concerned that the changes would be too much, too soon.

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The J-Valve System is associated with positive 10-year outcomes for patients with severe AR, according to new research out of China. It also performs well in patients with severe AS.