Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Infectious Disease for June 2018. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Practice Management Can Improve Efficiency
FRIDAY, June 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Providers can take practical steps to improve practice efficiency and increase insurance reimbursement, according to an article published in Dermatology Times.
AMA Calls for Electronic Health Record Training
FRIDAY, June 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Medical Association (AMA) is calling on medical schools and residency programs to incorporate electronic health record (EHR) training into their curricula.
Penicillin Allergy Linked to MRSA, C. Difficile Risk
THURSDAY, June 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There is a correlation for documented penicillin allergy with increased risk of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile, which is mediated by increased use of β-lactam alternative antibiotics, according to a study published online June 27 in the BMJ.
Health Care Technology Impacts Younger Patient Satisfaction
THURSDAY, June 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Health care communication technology is a determinant of patient satisfaction in younger patients, according to a report published by Black Book Market Research LLC.
Azithromycin Cuts Pulmonary Exacerbation in CF With Early Pa
WEDNESDAY, June 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For children with cystic fibrosis (CF) and early Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) infection, the risk of pulmonary exacerbation is significantly reduced with the addition of azithromycin to tobramycin inhalation solution (TIS), according to a study published online June 11 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Missed Opportunities for HIV Diagnosis Among Those at Risk
WEDNESDAY, June 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Considerable numbers of men who have sex with men (MSM) and persons who inject drugs (PWID) who are unaware of their HIV infection report missed opportunities for diagnosis, according to a research letter published online June 26 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
National HIV Testing Day Is on June 27
WEDNESDAY, June 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In honor of National HIV Testing Day, health care providers should encourage people to get an HIV test.
Abortion Complication Rates Similar Between Facility Type
WEDNESDAY, June 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) There is no significant difference in abortion-related morbidities and adverse events following induced abortions, whether the procedure is performed in an ambulatory surgical center (ASC) or an office-based setting, according to a study published online June 26 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
AMA Adopts Ethical Guidance on Medical Tourism
TUESDAY, June 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Medical Association (AMA) recently adopted new ethical guidelines on medical tourism to help physicians understand their responsibilities when interacting with patients who seek or have received medical care outside the United States.
AMA: Docs Declare Drug Shortages Public Health Emergency
MONDAY, June 25, 2018 (HealthDay News) — At the annual meeting of the American Medical Association (AMA), physicians adopted policy declaring drug shortages an urgent public health crisis.
Efavirenz Doesn’t Up Depression, Suicidal Ideation in HIV-Infected
MONDAY, June 25, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For persons living with HIV (PLHIV) in Uganda, use of efavirenz is not associated with increased risk of depression or suicidal ideation, according to a study published online June 26 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Direct-Acting Antivirals Effective for Hepatitis C in Seniors
MONDAY, June 25, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For older patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV), direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy is effective, according to a study published online May 25 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Some California Mosquitoes Can Carry Zika Virus
FRIDAY, June 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Aedes mosquitoes in California can spread the Zika virus, according to a study published online June 21 in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases.
Post-Endoscopic Infection More Common Than Previously Thought
FRIDAY, June 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The rates of post-endoscopic infection within seven days vary from 1.1 per 1,000 procedures for screening colonoscopy to 3 per 1,000 procedures for osophagogastroduodenoscopies (OGDs), according to a study published online May 31 in Gut.
More Cash-Pay Patients Means Docs Need Billing Strategies
THURSDAY, June 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — More patients are paying for health care services with cash, and this means physician practices need a comprehensive billing policy, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
BCG Vaccine Tied to Reduced Hyperglycemia in Type 1 Diabetes
THURSDAY, June 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The Bacillus Calmette Guérin (BCG) vaccine is associated with a reduction in hyperglycemia among patients with type 1 diabetes with long-term disease, according to a study published online June 21 in npj Vaccines.
Parents Say Cancer Prevention Best Reason for HPV Vaccination
THURSDAY, June 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Parents view cancer prevention as the best reason for guideline-consistent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, according to a study published online June 14 in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
70 Sickened So Far in Salmonella-Tainted Melon Outbreak
WEDNESDAY, June 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A salmonella outbreak linked to melons and fruit salad mixes continues to expand, say officials at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
FDA Recall Notice
CDC Press Release
Florida Teen First Human Case of Another Mosquito-Borne Virus
WEDNESDAY, June 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The first confirmed human case of Keystone virus — named after the location in the Tampa Bay area where it was first identified in 1964 — has been diagnosed in a Florida teen, but it’s likely that infection with the mosquito-borne disease is common among state residents, researchers report.
Many Drugs Made Available Via FDA Expanded Access Programs
WEDNESDAY, June 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Over the past two decades, close to 100 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs and biologics were made available before FDA approval through expanded access programs, according to a study published online June 15 in JAMA Network Open.
Considerable Costs Associated With Switching EHR
TUESDAY, June 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Switching electronic health record (EHR) systems can result in increased efficiency and productivity gains, but there are significant costs associated with the switch, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
AMA Vows to Improve Access for Docs Seeking Mental Health Care
MONDAY, June 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Medical Association (AMA) recently adopted a policy aimed at improving physician access to mental health care in response to physician depression, burnout, and suicide.
Pharmacists Are Well Placed to Improve Adult Vaccination Rates
MONDAY, June 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Pharmacists can help increase adult vaccination rates by offering vaccination at lower cost and greater convenience, according to a study published by the Pacific Research Institute.
CDC: Many High School Students Engage in Health-Risk Behaviors
MONDAY, June 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Many high school students are engaged in health-risk behaviors, according to research published June 15 in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Increase in VA Legionnaires’ Disease Rates From 2014 to 2016
MONDAY, June 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There was an increase in Legionnaires’ Disease (LD) from 2014 to 2016, according to a study published online June 15 in JAMA Network Open.
Kellogg’s Honey Smacks Cereal Recalled Due to Salmonella Risk
FRIDAY, June 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The Kellogg Company has announced it is recalling certain boxes of Honey Smacks cereal due to the possibility of contamination with Salmonella.
FDA Recall Notice
CDC Press Release
Resistant A. Baumannii Rose in Children From 1999 to 2012
FRIDAY, June 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Between 1999 and 2012, Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) antibiotic resistance increased in children, though there was a decreasing trend after 2008, according to a study published in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society.
Fluconazole Use Doesn’t Up Risk of Stillbirth, Neonatal Death
THURSDAY, June 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Fluconazole use in pregnancy seems not to be associated with significantly increased risks of stillbirth or neonatal death, according to a research letter published in the June 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
60 Sickened So Far in Salmonella-Tainted Melon Outbreak
WEDNESDAY, June 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Federal, state, and local health officials are investigating a Salmonella outbreak linked to fruit salad mixes that has sickened 60 people in five U.S. states. The fruit salad mixes included precut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, and cut fruit medley products from the Caito Foods facility in Indianapolis. The company has recalled the products.
FDA Recall Notice
CDC Press Release
How Do Business Partner Data Breaches Affect Your Practice?
TUESDAY, June 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Data breaches affecting health care systems or their partners need to be addressed quickly, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Active Failures Seen in Proper Use of Personal Protective Equipment
TUESDAY, June 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Active failures frequently occur in infectious agent transmission-based precautions, including personal protective equipment (PPE) use, according to a study published online June 11 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Lengthy Viral Suppression May Cut Cancer Risk in HIV Infected
MONDAY, June 11, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Antiretroviral therapy resulting in long-term viral suppression of HIV may contribute to cancer prevention, according to a study published online June 12 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
CDC: Invasive MRSA More Likely Among Injection Drug Users
MONDAY, June 11, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Injection drug users are more than 16-fold more likely to develop invasive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, according to research published in the June 8 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Adenoid, Tonsil Removal May Affect Later Respiratory Risks
FRIDAY, June 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy in children are associated with increased long-term risks of respiratory, infectious, and allergic diseases, according to a study published online June 7 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
Case Volume Affects Mortality for Immunosuppressed With Sepsis
FRIDAY, June 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — At hospitals with the lowest volume of immunosuppressed patients with sepsis, the risk of death from sepsis due to a suppressed immune state is highest, according to a study published online June 1 in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
NCI Cancer Centers Endorse Goal of Eliminating HPV Cancers
THURSDAY, June 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer centers are endorsing the goal of eliminating cancers caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) through HPV vaccination and evidence-based cancer screening, according to a statement from the American Cancer Society and other organizations.
HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Linked to Drop in Condom Use
THURSDAY, June 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For gay and bisexual men, an increase in HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is associated with a reduction in condom use, according to a study published online June 6 in The Lancet HIV.
Respiratory Pathogens May Up Treatment Failure Risk in Asthma
THURSDAY, June 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Respiratory pathogens are associated with increased risk of treatment failure in children with asthma exacerbations, according to a study published online June 4 in Pediatrics.
Post-Transplant Tx Reduces Wait for Kidney in Hep C+ Patients
WEDNESDAY, June 6, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Post-transplant hepatitis C treatment increases access to transplant and reduces waitlist time among hepatitis C-positive patients awaiting kidney transplantation, according to a study published online May 14 in the American Journal of Transplantation.
Online Consumer Ratings of Physicians Tend to Be Skewed
WEDNESDAY, June 6, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Online physician reviews tend to be skewed positively, according to a study published in the May issue of the Journal of Medical Internet Research.
CDC: Prevalence of No Insurance Varies by Occupational Groups
WEDNESDAY, June 6, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The prevalence of being uninsured varies by occupational groups, according to research published in the June 1 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
FDA OKs 1st Biosimilar to Prevent Chemo-Related Infections
TUESDAY, June 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The first biosimilar drug to Neulasta has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Fulphila (pegfilgrastim) is approved for patients with non-myeloid cancer who are receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy and have symptoms of febrile neutropenia.
CDC: Office-Based Physician Visit Rates Vary by Patient Age, Sex
TUESDAY, June 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There is considerable variation in office-based physician visit rates by patient age and sex, according to a June data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
Post-Hurricane Deaths in Puerto Rico Underestimated
TUESDAY, June 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The actual number of deaths related to Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico in 2016 is likely more than 70 times the official government estimate of 64, according to a study published online May 29 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Increase in Requirement for Flu Vaccines at Non-VA Hospitals
TUESDAY, June 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) — At non-Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals, but not in VA hospitals, there was an increase in mandatory influenza vaccination requirements for health care personnel (HCP) from 2013 to 2017, according to a study published online June 1 in JAMA Network Open.
No New Adverse Events Reported for DTaP Vaccination
MONDAY, June 4, 2018 (HealthDay News) — No new or unexpected safety issues have been identified in association with diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccines in the United States, according to a study published online June 4 in Pediatrics.
CDC Says E. Coli Outbreak Tied to Romaine Lettuce Is Over
FRIDAY, June 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — This spring’s outbreak of Escherichia coli illness tied to tainted Arizona romaine lettuce is likely over, U.S. health officials say, but not before claiming five lives.
Fever, Rash, Erythema Seen in Most Puerto Rican Kids With Zika
FRIDAY, June 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Most children with Zika virus (ZIKV) infection have fever, rash, and facial or neck erythema, according to a study published online May 29 in JAMA Pediatrics.
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