Precision Medicine

Also called personalized medicine, this evolving field makes use of an individual’s genes, lifestyle, environment and other factors to identify unique disease risks and guide treatment decision-making.

Miniature wearables for small humans

The wearable around people’s wrists could someday soon come in a miniature version for the littlest folks in their lives. With one in six adults owning a wearable, the devices for children have become a next step in personalized wellness. 

ISDD device reduces blood draw contamination by 88%

Researchers from the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) have reduced false positive in patient blood samples by 88 percent with the SteriPath initial specimen diversion device (ISDD). Findings were published in the May issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases.

One innovation links bad breath, kidney failure

Thanks for a new sensor developed by researchers at the University of Illinois, bad breath can a blessing when it comes to diagnosing kidney failure. Published in Advanced Functional Materials, researchers' findings outline the sensor's development and how it is able to diagnose kidney failure.

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CPC+ applications open for second round

Primary care practices in Louisiana, Nebraska, North Dakota and New York’s Erie and Niagara Counties can now apply to participate in the second round of CMS’s Comprehensive Primary Care Plus (CPC+) model.

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CMS pushes back cardiac, orthopedic bundles to 2018

For the second time under the Trump administration, CMS has delayed the implementation date of bundled payments for cardiac care and an expansion of a joint replacement model, which are now due to begin Jan. 1, 2018, opening the door to additional changes, like making the models voluntary rather than mandatory.  

mPulse, Harvard partner to engage Medicaid patients with texts

mPulse Mobile, mobile experience management company, has partnered with researchers from Harvard Medical School to study the impact of personalized, interactive text messages to Medicaid participants using two different programs. 

Augmented reality gives surgeons x-ray vision in real time

Cambridge Consultants, a product design and development firm, has introduced an augmented reality (AR) surgical system capable of giving surgeons “x-ray vision” in real time. This system aims to improve patient outcomes and reduce surgical risk.

9 recommendations to prevent surgical site infection via patient engagement

Undergoing a surgical procedure is enough to worry about for a patient, yet many have the additional fear of developing surgical site infections (SSIs). A study published in Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control outlines nine recommendations for patients to take charge of their own care and reduce the chances of developing an SSI using patient engagement. 

Around the web

Philips is recalling the software associated with its Mobile Cardiac Outpatient Telemetry devices after certain high-risk ECG events were never routed to trained cardiology technicians as intended. The issue, which lasted for two years, has been linked to more than 100 injuries. 

Heart Rhythm Society President Kenneth A. Ellenbogen, MD, detailed a new advocacy group focused on improving EP reimbursements, patient care and access. “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu," he said.

CMS finalized a significant policy change when it increased the Medicare payments hospitals receive for performing CCTA exams. What, exactly, does the update mean for cardiologists, billing specialists and other hospital employees?