Pediatric heart patients exposed to plastic chemicals during cardiopulmonary bypass
(Children’s National Hospital – April 23, 2024)

Children undergoing cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass are exposed to high levels of plastic chemical additives called phthalates, including DEHP, according to the largest single center study to date to measure this exposure. The findings were authored by a multi-disciplinary group from Children’s National Hospital and appear in the journal Transfusion. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is one of the most commonly used plasticizers in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics, making up 40% to 80% of the finished weight of medical-grade tubing and blood storage bags. The study’s primary goal was to quantify three aspects of pediatric cardiac surgery: the phthalate exposure with and without cardiopulmonary bypass (the heart and lung machine), the time it takes for phthalates to clear after surgery and any correlations between higher phthalate exposures and postoperative complications.

President Ryan’s Boston Marathon Run Raises More than $52,000 for UVA Health Children’s
(UVA School of Medicine – April 24, 2024)

University of Virginia President Jim Ryan’s 13th run in the Boston Marathon was for UVA Health Children’s, and it proved to be his most successful ever. His run raised more than $52,000, which he presented to UVA Health leaders on Friday, April 19.  Ryan’s runs in the 26.2-mile race have now raised more than $100,000 in total. More than 1,000 people donated to Ryan’s marathon run to benefit UVA Health Children’s, ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 1 children’s hospital in Virginia for three consecutive years. The hospital has nine specialties ranked among the top 50 nationally.

Supporting breakthroughs in at-home pediatric monitoring
(Children’s National Hospital – April 23, 2024)

As their infant daughter recovered from a life-threatening virus, tech executive Jonathan Baut and his wife lived in a constant state of alert for any signs of a change in her condition. That experience prompted Baut to look for an at-home vital signs monitoring solution for parents facing medical challenges at home. He located the technology in Belgium and found the clinical support to advance the innovation at Children’s National Hospital, tapping into its leadership of a pediatric device consortium funded by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Alliance for Pediatric Device Innovation (APDI).

VHHA Patients Come First Podcast – Theresa Dix
(Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association – April 22, 2024)

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Theresa Dix, Chief Nursing Officer at Wythe County Community Hospital, a Lifepoint Health facility. She joins us for a conversation about her career, Wythe County Community Hospital’s National Quality Leader Designation, workforce development, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact us on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

Virginia workers launch new campaign to address violence in health care workplaces
(WVTR – April 23, 2024)

Rex Riley says he chose to pursue a career in nursing to help others. While high levels of stress can come with the job, he says he never imagined safety would be a concern until Labor Day of last year, when a patient experiencing a mental health crisis, came into the emergency room at a Bon Secours facility. “They started to become erratic and started screaming and then they threw a water bottle at me,” Riley says. Moments later, the patient’s companion caused the hospital to go into lockdown when he started making threats against the staff.

What makes VCU Health Evans-Haynes Burn Center nationally recognized by the American Burn Association?
(VCU Health – April 23, 2024)

While no one plans for a burn-related injury, it is good to know that one of the best burn centers in the country sits in downtown Richmond, Virginia. The VCU Health Evans-Haynes Burn Center is a Level I comprehensive burn center for both adult and pediatric patients. It has been nationally verified by the American Burn Association (ABA) since 2011 and remains the only burn center in the commonwealth with this designation after its most recent re-verification in January of 2024. Only 77 burn centers in the United States meet the verification standards set by the ABA. Of those, only 39 are nationally verified for both adult and pediatric medicine. You may be wondering: What does this designation mean when it comes to treatment and recovery for a patient? And why is this important for people who have been lucky to avoid burn injuries of any kind?

When to Go to Urgent Care
(Bon Secours – April 24, 2024)

Do you know when to go to urgent care? Picture this: it’s late evening and you’ve suddenly developed a severe nagging cough, fever and other flu symptoms. Panic sets in as you wonder, “Should I seek medical care?” Don’t worry – we’ve got your back! We’ll help you navigate when to go to urgent care center instead of heading straight for an emergency room visit or calling your primary care physician.

With quick thinking and CPR skills, pre-med student Nyla Harris helped save a restaurant customer’s life
(VCU News – April 23, 2024)

Virginia Commonwealth University junior Nyla Harris found out what it’s like to be thrust into the media spotlight after she performed CPR to help save the life of a fellow restaurant customer. On March 8, at the end of spring break week, Harris and her mom went out for brunch at Eggs Up Grill in Midlothian. As they were leaving, Harris heard a commotion. A woman had passed out and was unconscious. Harris’ mom called 911, and Harris jumped into action when she realized the woman wasn’t breathing. “I pushed Mom aside a bit and helped the woman’s husband get her out of the booth and then I started compressions in CPR,” said Harris, who learned CPR at Manchester High School and had taken a refresh course at the daycare where she works part time. “I did two sets of compressions, and then she came back.”

Woodbridge Woman’s Club Pillow-Making Project Brings Comfort to Sentara Cancer Survivors
(Prince William Living – April 23, 2024)

Dedicated volunteers from the Woodbridge Woman’s Club (WWC) gather twice a month at the Sentara Cancer Network Resource Center on the campus of Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center (SNVMC) to put their sewing talents to work creating heart-shaped pillows and other comfort items. Crafted by hand and made with love, these pillows are given free-of-charge to Sentara cancer and surgery patients. The Health and Wellness Pillow Making Project began as a volunteer-driven, community service project that would help support individuals facing cancer diagnoses. People find relief from acute pain by holding the pillows to their chests. Just as importantly, they find reassurance in knowing that people care.

California Hospital Association sues Anthem Blue Cross over discharge delays
(Fierce Healthcare – April 24, 2024)

The California Hospital Association (CHA) has filed suit against Anthem Blue Cross, alleging the insurer’s authorization protocols for post-acute care leave patients stuck with long waits for discharge. The lawsuit claims that Anthem failed to maintain an adequate network for these services and that it does not pay for additional hospital services incurred by patients who are waiting for discharge. The organization filed the lawsuit in state court on behalf of its 400 member hospitals and health systems. The lawsuit seeks an injunction that would prevent Anthem from “engaging in these illegal and harmful business practices,” according to a press release.

Montana: Behavioral health commission reviews proposals to split $300 million in funding
(Montana Public Radio – April 23, 2024)

A state commission charged with rebuilding Montana’s mental and behavioral health system went over proposed recommendations this week. Three hundred million dollars is available for the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations Commission to divide among potential initiatives. Lawmakers, state and private health care workers on the commission this week heard big-picture proposals for how to spend the money. Those included reinvesting in state case management services, expanding crisis response and stabilization services and funding more in school-based behavioral health programs. The commission and state health officials will refine a report for specific funding proposals by July 1. Gov. Greg Gianforte will then approve or decline to move forwards with specific commission recommendations.

Vermont confirms first measles case since 2018
(VT Digger – April 23, 2024)

State officials have confirmed a case of measles in Vermont, officials announced Tuesday, the first confirmed case in the state since 2018. The individual who was confirmed to have the disease had come to Vermont for an “international group program,” according to a Department of Health press release, and had stayed at the Hampton Inn in Colchester earlier this month. “The health risk to members of the public in Vermont is low,” the department said in its press release. “However, there was a limited possibility of exposure at the hotel where some of the travelers were staying.” State officials are urging anyone who was at the hotel on Wednesday, April 17, prior to 3:45 p.m. to take certain measures to ensure they didn’t contract the disease.

First patient receives combined pig kidney transplant, heart pump
(The Hill – April 24, 2024)

Doctors in New York City performed the first-ever combined heart pump implant and pig kidney transplant on a terminally ill patient. Surgeons at NYU Langone Health carried out the first-of-its-kind operation on Lisa Pisano in two stages over the course of nine days earlier this month, according to a Wednesday statement from NYU Langone. Pisano, 54, is a New Jersey native who had heart failure and end-stage kidney disease. Chronic medical conditions prevented her from being a candidate for a human heart and kidney transplant, the statement said. In order for her to receive a mechanical heart pump, the possibility of a kidney transplant was required since there is a high mortality rate in patients on dialysis with such pumps, doctors noted.

Genetic analysis reveals H5N1 flu virus outbreak in cows likely started earlier than thought
(STAT News – April 23, 2024)

The H5N1 bird flu outbreak in dairy cows in the United States has likely been going on for months longer than was previously realized, and has probably spread more widely across the country than the confirmed outbreaks would imply, according to an analysis of genetic sequences that were released Sunday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The genetic data point to a single spillover event that probably occurred in late 2023, Michael Worobey, an evolutionary virologist at the University of Arizona, told STAT on Tuesday.

More women are falling behind on breast cancer screenings, study shows
(CBS News – April 23, 2024)

A simple mammogram can be life-saving. The problem is that not enough women are getting them. Dr. Debra Houry, the chief medical officer of the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said about 40,000 women die each year from breast cancer and having these screening mammograms can save lives. A new CDC Vital Signs study found that only about 65% of women ages 50-74, with three or more health-related social needs, are up to date with their mammograms. Social needs can include things like food insecurity or lack of access to reliable transportation.

Parents are feeling lonely. Here’s why it matters
(CNN Health – April 24, 2024)

Despite working a full-time job in human relations and caring for her 6-year-old son Chase and 3-year-old daughter Millie, Anne Helms often feels isolated and lonely. “I work from home, and when I have video meetings or calls with our employees, it’s very focused on the subject at hand. I don’t get a lot of personal interaction such as ‘How are you? How’s your family doing?’” said 36-year-old Helms, who lives in Powell, Ohio. “There’s obvious benefits to working from home — it allows me to avoid a commute that eats into my time with my children and husband in the evening,” she said. “But there are some days when my most personal conversation is with my dog.”

Remnants of bird flu virus found in pasteurized milk, FDA says
(Associated Press – April 23, 2024)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday that samples of pasteurized milk had tested positive for remnants of the bird flu virus that has infected dairy cows. The agency stressed that the material is inactivated and that the findings “do not represent actual virus that may be a risk to consumers.” Officials added that they’re continuing to study the issue. “To date, we have seen nothing that would change our assessment that the commercial milk supply is safe,” the FDA said in a statement. The announcement comes nearly a month after an avian influenza virus that has sickened millions of wild and commercial birds in recent years was detected in dairy cows in at least eight states. The Agriculture Department says 33 herds have been affected to date.

20M fewer Medicaid enrollees means trouble for providers
(Modern Healthcare – April 23, 2024) SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED

Over the past year, states have removed more than 20 million beneficiaries from Medicaid after suspending eligibility redeterminations during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Thousands of those people are Clinica Family Health patients. The Lafayette, Colorado-based community health center felt the pain of lost reimbursements when patients went from having Medicaid coverage to being uninsured, a fate that has befallen almost one-fourth of these former Medicaid enrollees nationwide, according to KFF.

Business groups sue to block FTC’s ban on noncompete agreements
(Axios – April 24, 2024)

Two powerful business lobby groups filed suit Wednesday against the Federal Trade Commission seeking to overturn its ban on noncompete agreements just one day after it was finalized. The lawsuit will likely delay the ban from taking effect — or derail it entirely, and test the limits of the FTCs power. Noncompetes are clauses in employment contracts that prohibit workers from taking jobs with their employer’s competitors. They have become more widely used and criticized in recent years for unfairly restraining employees — particularly at the lower end of the income scale.

White House updates national suicide prevention strategy
(VOA – April 23, 2024)

The White House on Tuesday unveiled an updated national strategy on suicide prevention that includes more emphasis on health equity and diversity and the mental-health impact of social media, revising its decade-old plan amid a national rise in suicide rates. Second gentleman Doug Emhoff launched the new strategy at the White House, which he prefaced with words of comfort and encouragement. “It’s OK to talk about this, as tough as this topic is,” he said. “So, that’s why it’s good that we’re all here today together. It’s important we do this, because as we all know, suicide affects everyone. Doesn’t matter your age, race, gender or where you live. It impacts all of us.”

Xavier Becerra plots political future after Biden administration
(Politico – April 23, 2024)

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra’s plans to leave the Biden administration and run for California governor are more advanced than previously known — with hiring discussions and spending further developed than he’s letting on. Not only has Becerra had conversations over the past weeks about making the move, he or emissaries have approached political firms about standing up a gubernatorial campaign to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2026, two people briefed on those discussions told POLITICO.