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Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute Explores Precision Medicine in Multiple Sclerosis Treatment

Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute Explores Precision Medicine in Multiple Sclerosis Treatment

NeurologyLive has partnered with the Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute to launch a new Roundtable series titled 'Precision Medicine in Multiple Sclerosis: Advances & Unanswered Questions.' This series aims to delve into the current state of precision medicine within the field of multiple sclerosis (MS). The discussions feature experts from the Cleveland Clinic's Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research, including Robert Bermel, MD, director; Marisa McGinley, DO, staff neurologist; and Rebecca Cebull, CNP, certified nurse practitioner. The panel will address various aspects of MS, such as biomarkers, advanced imaging techniques, genetics, progression independent of relapse activity, and the existing gaps between the theoretical promise of individualized care and its practical application in daily clinical practice. While precision medicine is a widely used term in MS, its practical definition remains largely unsettled. Unlike fields like oncology and rheumatology, which have long cu...

Trinity Health Of New England Seeks Medical Assistant in Watertown, CT

Trinity Health Of New England Seeks Medical Assistant in Watertown, CT

Trinity Health Of New England is actively recruiting a Medical Assistant for an outpatient office located in Watertown, Connecticut. This role is crucial for supporting both patients and providers within a fast-paced primary care environment. Responsibilities include preparing exam and treatment rooms, obtaining pertinent patient history, documenting vital signs, and assisting with various medical procedures such as collecting specimens. The Medical Assistant will also be responsible for processing and filing lab/diagnostic test results, ensuring accurate documentation in patient records, and coordinating patient flow in the office. Additionally, the position involves assisting front office personnel with tasks like answering telephones and scheduling appointments. Candidates are required to have a high school diploma or equivalent and a minimum of six months of related work experience. While not mandatory, an Associate’s Degree in Medical Assistance and National Certification as a Medical Assistant are pr...

AI-Powered Healthcare Model Proposed to Alleviate Hospital Overload in Korea, Citing U.S. Precedent

AI-Powered Healthcare Model Proposed to Alleviate Hospital Overload in Korea, Citing U.S. Precedent

A research team led by Professor Jung Se-young of Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (SNUBH) has proposed a new AI-powered healthcare model, dubbed the '1.5-Tier Healthcare System,' to address the issue of overloaded hospitals in Korea. This model aims to create an 'invisible bridge' between primary care clinics and larger hospitals, allowing doctors to provide more personalized care without increasing staff. The system leverages AI across four key primary care functions: 'First Contact' for initial patient assessment and referral, 'Coordination' for automating referral letters and discharge summaries, 'Comprehensiveness' for early detection of hidden diseases, and 'Continuity' for ongoing patient monitoring and lifestyle coaching. As an example of AI's 'Comprehensiveness,' the NOTIFY-1 project in the U.S. is cited, where AI reanalyzed existing chest CT scans for coronary artery calcium, leading to a significant increase in statin prescriptions for eligible patients who were not previously receivin...

AHA Files Motion for Temporary Restraining Order Against HHS, HRSA Over 340B Rebate Program

AHA Files Motion for Temporary Restraining Order Against HHS, HRSA Over 340B Rebate Program

The American Hospital Association (AHA) has filed a motion for a temporary restraining order against the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This legal action seeks to halt the implementation of a new '340B Rebate Model Pilot Program,' which the AHA argues is nearly identical to a previous program enjoined by the court. The AHA contends that HHS and HRSA have again violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) by failing to adequately consider the costs and benefits of the program. Specifically, the AHA alleges that the agencies have significantly understated the costs for covered entities, excluding major administrative expenses like backend reconciliation, startup, vendor, and training costs. Furthermore, the AHA claims that the agencies have overstated the program's benefits by not quantifying the duplicate discount problem it aims to solve and by uncritically accepting drug companies' predictions. The new program, set to begin on ...

Temple Health Expands Social Drivers of Health Screening Initiative to Improve Community Well-being

Temple Health Expands Social Drivers of Health Screening Initiative to Improve Community Well-being

Temple Health has significantly expanded its Social Drivers of Health (SDOH) screening initiative across its primary care, emergency departments, and specialty settings since 2019. This program aims to identify and address non-medical factors that influence patient health, such as housing instability, food insecurity, transportation barriers, and financial pressures. According to Lakisha R. Sturgis, Director of Community Care Management, Population Health for Temple Health, the organization has completed over 850,000 screenings, growing from 9,800 screenings in 2019 to more than 245,000 in 2025. The initiative involves building a network of community partnerships and developing tailored programs, including recruiting community health workers to help patients access resources. Specialized programs address specific needs like food and housing insecurity, transportation, and digital access. Temple Health has also established an intensive clinic for patients with complex medical and social needs and expanded i...

3D Printing-Inspired Technology Advances Personalized Medicine for Tailored Dosing

3D Printing-Inspired Technology Advances Personalized Medicine for Tailored Dosing

Technology inspired by 3D printing is being implemented in hospitals and specialized pharmacies to create personalized medicines. This approach allows for the production of medications with doses specifically tailored to individual patients, addressing a critical need for groups such as children and older patients who often require dosages not available in standard commercial products. The system utilizes a 3D printing-inspired manufacturing process to dispense precise amounts of a gel-like formulation, enabling pharmacists to produce patient-specific treatments while maintaining consistent quality. Research conducted by Mahsa Bahman at Åbo Akademi University investigated the efficacy of this technology in manufacturing a wide range of personalized medicines, evaluating factors like dose accuracy, product quality, stability, and consistency, and its performance within a hospital pharmacy environment. This innovation aims to improve dosing accuracy and broaden access to customized treatments.

India Emerges as a Hub for Integrated Medical and Wellness Tourism

India Emerges as a Hub for Integrated Medical and Wellness Tourism

India Emerges as a Hub for Integrated Medical and Wellness Tourism

Cochrane Review Finds Pharmaceutical Marketing Negatively Influences Doctor Prescribing Habits

Cochrane Review Finds Pharmaceutical Marketing Negatively Influences Doctor Prescribing Habits

A new Cochrane review has concluded that pharmaceutical company marketing significantly influences doctors' prescribing habits, leading to more expensive, less appropriate, and increased drug prescriptions. The review analyzed 93 studies, with 88% originating from the United States, largely due to data availability from the Physician Payments Sunshine Act of 2010. Researchers categorized industry interactions into advertising and education, gifts and payments, and free samples. They found that advertising and education, such as sales representative visits, were linked to less clinically suitable and pricier prescriptions, often increasing prescription volume. Gifts and payments showed the most consistent evidence, correlating with less appropriate prescribing, higher prescription numbers, and increased costs. Dr. Lisa Bero of the University of Colorado Anschutz highlighted that these practices directly affect patient care, potentially leading to drugs with fewer benefits or more side-effects, or even unnec...

Northwestern Study Reveals Long-Term Opioid Use Ineffective for Chronic Back Pain, Identifies New Molecular Markers

Northwestern Study Reveals Long-Term Opioid Use Ineffective for Chronic Back Pain, Identifies New Molecular Markers

A new study from Northwestern University indicates that long-term opioid use does not significantly improve pain or functioning in individuals suffering from chronic back pain. The research compared 70 long-term opioid users with 70 similar patients who were not taking opioids. Both groups reported nearly identical pain levels, averaging 5.4 on a 10-point scale, suggesting that years of opioid use did not lead to better pain management. While the opioid group showed slightly worse outcomes in physical function and mental health, their brain anatomy remained largely intact, dispelling fears that long-term opioid ingestion severely damages the brain. However, significant differences were observed in spontaneous brain activity, particularly in the mesocorticolimbic network (involved in reward and motivation) and the prefrontal cortex (supporting decision-making). The study, published in the journal Brain, also identified new molecular markers, including those related to serotonin receptors, which could pave t...

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New stroke treatment now available at Delray Medical Center

New stroke treatment now available at Delray Medical Center

Delray Medical Center launches a new FDA-cleared computer-assisted vacuum thrombectomy for rapid blood clot removal in acute ischemic stroke care.

Mercy Health and KCU Partnership Improves Patient Outcomes Through Student Health Advocates

Mercy Health and KCU Partnership Improves Patient Outcomes Through Student Health Advocates

Mercy Hospital Joplin and Kansas City University (KCU) have established a partnership that utilizes student health advocates to improve patient outcomes, particularly for those with chronic illnesses. This initiative involves KCU students working directly with patients to address non-medical barriers to health, such as transportation issues, medication costs, and limited access to resources. The student advocates help patients understand discharge instructions, confirm follow-up appointments, and connect them with Mercy's clinical teams and resource centers. This program has shown measurable results, including more consistent follow-up appointment attendance, increased access to available resources, and greater patient engagement in managing their health. It has also contributed to reducing hospital readmissions among patients with congestive heart failure. The program, which began with five students, has expanded to over a dozen advocates, with plans to extend its reach to patients with chronic obstructiv...

Life Insurers Label Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer as 'Untreated Cancer,' Impacting Coverage

Life Insurers Label Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer as 'Untreated Cancer,' Impacting Coverage

Individuals undergoing active surveillance for low-risk prostate cancer are facing significant challenges in securing life insurance, as insurers often categorize their condition as 'untreated cancer.' This issue, highlighted by a medical journalist who experienced rejections from eight insurers in 2013, persists today. Despite medical recommendations for active surveillance—close monitoring with PSA blood tests, biopsies, and MRIs for low-risk cases like Gleason 6 (Grade Group 1)—insurance underwriters view this approach differently. A hypothetical case of a 64-year-old man with a new Gleason 6 diagnosis and a past heart attack, referred to as 'Young Howard,' revealed that insurers might postpone decisions for three to five years, requiring stable PSA results and no upgrading. This delay, coupled with potential higher rates due to age and other health factors like a heart attack, creates substantial financial penalties for patients following their doctors' advice.