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One-fifth of U.S. surgeons still 'overusing' riskier method to create kidney dialysis access, study finds

Long-term hemodialysis is a lifesaver for approximately half a million patients in the United States with kidney failure (also known as end-stage renal disease, or ESRD) who are either waiting on or unsuitable for a kidney transplant.

From Johns Hopkins Medicine 14 Jun 2019

Researchers find lower opioid prescriptions rates in states that implemented medical cannabis laws

Using data from privately-insured adults, new findings from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston revealed that there is a lower level of opioids prescribed in states that have allowed the use of medical marijuana.

11 Jun 2019

Legal promise of equal mental health treatment often falls short

Amanda Bacon's eating disorder was growing worse. She had lost 60% of her body weight and was consuming about 100 calories a day.

7 Jun 2019

New curricular approach educates undergraduate nursing students in geriatric care

Florida is still in dire need of more nurses and is among the top states in the nation experiencing a shortage.

7 Jun 2019

ASTRO applauds new prior authorization legislation that aims to reduce obstacles in cancer care

On behalf of the nation's radiation oncologists and the more-than one million cancer patients in their care this year, the American Society for Radiation Oncology applauded today's introduction of bipartisan federal legislation that would rein in restrictive prior authorization practices that unnecessarily delay patient access to critical cancer treatments.

6 Jun 2019

Social Security error jeopardizes Medicare coverage for 250,000 seniors

At least a quarter of a million Medicare beneficiaries may receive bills for as many as five months of premiums they thought they already paid.

6 Jun 2019

Analysis: Why Alexa’s bedside manner is bad for health care

Amazon has opened a new health care frontier: Now Alexa can be used to transmit patient data. Using this new feature — which Amazon labeled as a "skill" — a company named Livongo will allow diabetes patients — which it calls "members" — to use the device to "query their last blood sugar reading, blood sugar measurement trends, and receive insights and Health Nudges that are personalized to them."

4 Jun 2019

Robin Hood to rescue of rural hospitals? New math promised on Medicare payments

As rural hospital closures roil the country, some states are banking on a Trump administration proposal to change the way hospital payments are calculated to rescue them.

3 Jun 2019

Mired in medical debt? Federal plan would update overdue-bill collection methods

Elham Mirshafiei was at the library cramming for final exams during her senior year at California State University-Long Beach when she grew nauseated and started vomiting. After the 10th episode in an hour, a friend took her to the nearest emergency room.

31 May 2019

Researchers identify trends in use of transcatheter dialysis conduit procedures over 15 years

A new research study by Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute found that utilization of invasive procedures on hemodialysis conduits--artificially constructed shuts used by many individuals who require dialysis--increased markedly from 2001 through 2015 for nephrologists and declined for radiologists.

30 May 2019

Analysis: A health care overhaul could kill 2 million jobs, and that’s OK

As calls for radical health reform grow louder, many on the right, in the center and in the health care industry are arguing that proposals like "Medicare for All" would cause economic ruin, decimating a sector that represents nearly 20% of our economy.

24 May 2019

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What the Health?’ Is ‘Medicare for All’ losing steam?

A second House committee this week held a hearing on proposals for a single-payer health system, such as “Medicare for All,” featuring experts from the Congressional Budget Office.

23 May 2019

House hagglers zero in on single-payer and it all comes down to two little words

A powerful congressional committee holds a hearing on single-payer health care.

23 May 2019

Proton therapy results in fewer side effects for many cancer patients

Proton therapy results in fewer side effects than traditional X-ray radiation therapy for many cancer patients, according to a new study led by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania.

22 May 2019

Johns Hopkins experts release digital health roadmap

In the dizzying swirl of health-related websites, social media and smartphone apps, finding a reliable source of health information can be a challenge.

From Johns Hopkins Medicine 22 May 2019

New study evaluates complexity of patients undergoing head-CT examinations

Computed tomography of the head uses special X-ray equipment to help assess head injuries, dizziness, and other symptoms of the brain.

20 May 2019

BMC develops EHR-based screener to address patients' unmet social needs

Boston Medical Center has implemented a social determinants of health screener for primary care patients in order to better identify and address patients' unmet social needs.

18 May 2019

‘Sham’ sharing ministries test faith of patients and insurance regulators

Sheri Lewis, 59, of Seattle, needed a hip transplant. Bradley Fuller, 63, of nearby Kirkland, needed chemotherapy and radiation when the pain in his jaw turned out to be throat cancer. And Kim Bruzas, 55, of Waitsburg, hundreds of miles away, needed emergency care to stop sudden —and severe — rectal bleeding.

17 May 2019

As ER wait times grow, more patients leave against medical advice

Emergency room patients increasingly leave California hospitals against medical advice, and experts say crowded ERs are likely to blame.