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Temperature Trajectories to Find Sepsis Subphenotypes
The authors of this study used development and validation cohorts to retrospectively identify temperature trajectories over the first 72 hours from presentation in the setting of sepsis. Patients presenting with hyperthermia that resolved quickly (within the first 24 hours) had lower mortality compared to those with slow resolution or those presenting with hypothermia.
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Candida auris Resistant to Azole Antifungals, Amphotericin B, and Echinocandins
Infection with Candida auris resistant to azole antifungals, amphotericin B, and echinocandins was identified in three patients in New York. Resistance to echinocandins was first detected after the patients had received an echinocandin as treatment.
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The Safety and Effectiveness of Pyrethroid Insecticides as the Battle Against Mosquitoes Continues
There is a statistical association between having a urine test suggestive of exposure to pyrethroid insecticides and increased mortality over the subsequent 14 years.
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Neuraminidase Inhibitors Reduce Hospital Length of Stay in Patients With Clinically Suspected or Laboratory-Confirmed Influenza A
A meta-analysis that included more than 18,000 patients from 70 clinical centers in 36 countries found that neuraminidase inhibitors started at the beginning of hospitalization in patients with clinically suspected or laboratory-confirmed influenza A reduced the length of hospitalization by 19%.
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Wrong Person Receives Bill, OCR Secures $2.175 Million Fine
Sentara Hospitals in Virginia and North Carolina agreed to take corrective actions and pay $2.175 million to settle potential HIPAA violations stemming from a complaint alleging the organization sent a bill to an individual containing another patient’s PHI. OCR determined Sentara mailed 577 patients’ PHI to wrong addresses.
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HIPAA Settlements Hold Lessons on Right of Access, Breach Reporting
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) recently announced two HIPAA settlements that offer lessons for covered entities regarding right of access and failure to notify after a breach. In early 2019, OCR announced it would take steps to enforce the rights of patients to receive copies of their medical records timely and at a reasonable cost. This led to the introduction of the HIPAA Right of Access Initiative.
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Expect More High-Tech Breaches, Attorney General Audits This Year
The trend for HIPAA compliance is toward more breaches and complex breaches than seen in earlier years of efforts to follow the privacy rule, say some experts. A sharp increase in cyberattacks also may be coming this year.
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Appellate Court Reverses Summary Judgment Based on Expert’s Disqualification
This case demonstrates the importance of expert witnesses, which not only can determine a case at trial, but even potentially before trial. Although the outcome of this case remains uncertain, and the patient has not been awarded any monetary damages, the appellate court ruling certainly is a setback for the defendant care provider, and reopens a window of opportunity for the patient to continue the allegations of malpractice.
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Failure to Remove Sponge Results in $10.5 Million Verdict
The facts of the case left little doubt as to whether hospital staff had violated their duty of care. In addition to the ethical requirement to tell the patient about the retained sponge, there is a licensing and regulatory requirement as well.
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Top Factors to Consider in Choosing Outside Counsel
Risk managers may be involved in helping choose outside counsel for the hospital or health system. There are many factors to consider before making the right choice.