Medscape surveyed 3,003 women physicians in March and April with questions suggested by a panel of women physicians. The theme was “issues you care about.” Here are some highlights in the findings, released July 15.

Maine has topped all states in two separate five-year categories of hospital safety—percentage of “A” grade hospitals (57.1%) and average annual placement in these rankings (3.63). How did your state do?

Reports are arriving of filled hospitals turning away transfers, backlogged ambulances waiting hours to transport patients and shorthanded staffs appealing for relief workers.

The researchers tracked infection rates at Boston’s Mass General Brigham health system, which announced a plan to require all 78,000 employees to wear a surgical mask in March.

Larry Istrail, MD, a hospitalist physician at Inova Health System, recently argued for the change in a July 15 opinion piece.

Researchers have used AI-powered risk prediction to accurately screen the entire inpatient population of a community hospital for sepsis, enabling early treatment of the stricken.

Asked to identify which of six fictional persons is most likely to be a terrorist, 85% of 1,500 participants in a psychology experiment selected one of the least likely suspects. And they did so specifically because they’d seen an AI robot make the ridiculous choice first.

Going by biomarkers of inflammation, taking care of aging or ailing loves ones is not detrimental to the caregiver’s own health and wellbeing. In fact, it may even make one healthier.   

Supply is suffering as hospitals continue to cope with COVID above all else. Demand is down due to patients’ reticence to risk nonemergency care. And the unease isn’t just about economics.  

One point of easier-than-normal entry is nonclinical employees working from home. Another is providers’ weakened state. Many are strapped for cash and, as a result, stretching resources.