Healthcare costs have continued to rise above the rate of inflation as more jobs were created in the industry, but as California Healthline reports, trying to cut the former will lead to fewer of the latter.

Respiratory virus infections commonly lead to hospital admissions, costing health systems time and resources. A recent study, published in Lancet Respiratory Medicine, examined how point-of-care testing (POCT) for respiratory infections can reduce unnecessary antibiotic use and length of stay while improving detection and treatment.

Medical equipment giant Becton, Dickinson and Co. (BD) is getting bigger, announcing a $24 billion cash-and-stock deal to acquire CR Bard, including its portfolio in oncology, vascular and surgical products.

Vivek Murthy, MD, is no longer Surgeon General, though the explanation of how he departed from the role depends on whom you ask.

California prosecutors charged 26 physicians, pharmacists and business owners in an alleged billing fraud and kickback scheme that collected more than $40 million from insurers by prescribing unnecessary medications or balms which had no medical value. 

Leica Microsystems, developers of microscopes capable of viewing microstructures and nanostructures, has introduced its augmented reality imaging technologies for surgical microscopes at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) Annual Scientific Meeting 2017. The GLOW800 supports surgeons in making decisions and teaching students on complex neurosurgical procedures.

Chip Kahn, president and CEO of the Federation of American Hospitals, gave a harsh assessment of current quality measurement processes at a Health Affairs forum in Washington, D.C. 

Central line infections in pediatric cancer patients pose life-threatening risks. A study, published in The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, reviewed how providing parents with simulation training can help prevent central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs).