Blood test helps predict who may benefit from lung cancer screening A blood test, combined with a risk model based on an individual’s history, more accurately determines who is likely to benefit from lung cancer screening than the current U.S. recommendation, according to a study published today in the Journal of Clinical Oncology led by researchers from The University of … [Read more...]

HIDA to tackle workforce development, attract recent graduates into industry By Wyeth Ruthven, Director of Public Affairs HIDA recently launched the Workforce Development Advisory Council, starting at the source of the talent pipeline in an effort to recruit recent graduates into internships and entry-level jobs. The Council is composed of leaders in our industry with … [Read more...]

Mark Zacur, healthcare industry executive, reflects on an unprecedented time to be in the healthcare supply chain. To say that the last two and a half years have been chaotic for the med/surg industry would be an understatement. At the beginning of 2022, Mark Zacur announced his retirement from Owens & Minor as executive vice president and chief commercial officer. Zacur … [Read more...]

Tips for effective healthcare organization content marketing. The third most common online activity in the United States is seeking online health information. Eighty percent of adults have sought health-related information, especially about a specific disease (66%) or a treatment plan (56%). Organic content is a highly effective marketing channel for healthcare … [Read more...]

A new report rates every state’s telehealth policy for patient access and ease of providing virtual care. By Pete Mercer Despite the challenges that COVID-19 has created for the entire world in the past two years, it has also presented a unique opportunity for people that still needed access to healthcare. Millions of people in the U.S. tried telehealth for the first time … [Read more...]

Long-term care has faced staffing challenges for years, and the pandemic has only made it worse. By Pete Mercer In the last couple of years, we have seen the coronavirus pandemic stretch and exhaust the healthcare industry past any semblance of what it used to look like. The ramifications of the current state of the healthcare system will likely be felt for many years to … [Read more...]

Opioids have a place, but staff need to encourage nonpharmacological solutions. Pain is universal, but its prevalence increases with advancing age, disability and morbidity. Anywhere from 45% to 80% of residents of long-term-care facilities are estimated to have pain associated with injuries, postoperative status, arthritis, cancer and other chronic conditions. Helping … [Read more...]

Inflation? Why now? What’s next? Inflation – no matter when it strikes – is an unwelcome guest. Still, providers are asking why now, when the American Medical Association reports that Medicare physician pay has increased 11% over the last two decades but the cost of running a medical practice increased 39% during that same time? Why now, just a few months after healthcare … [Read more...]

Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) are an unfortunately common complication of hospital care, and while there are varying factors associated with HAI, contaminated surfaces and equipment can contribute to the problem. Although hand hygiene is an important disruptor of the cross-transmission of microorganisms, improved cleaning and disinfection of medical equipment and … [Read more...]

Supply chain leaders examine how their health systems are handling clinical and non-clinical personnel deficits. By Daniel Beaird Recently in California, the state’s department of public health temporarily changed its coronavirus guidelines to allow asymptomatic, COVID-19 positive healthcare workers back to work without isolating or testing. The guidelines were in effect … [Read more...]