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CMS 2020 Final Rules: Infection Control in Inpatient and Long-Term Acute Care
Antimicrobial resistance represents a serious risk for Medicare beneficiaries and for the public overall. CMS is finalizing an alternative new technology add-on payment pathway for antimicrobial products designated by the FDA as Qualified Infectious Disease Products (QIDPs). Under this policy, a QIDP will be considered new and will not need to demonstrate that it meets the substantial clinical improvement criterion; it will only need to meet the cost criterion. CMS also is increasing the new technology add-on payment to 75% for an antimicrobial designated as a QIDP.
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CMS Issues 2020 Final Rules for Inpatient and Long-Term Acute Care
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued its final rule in August to update the Medicare payment policies for hospitals under the Inpatient Prospective Payment System and the Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System for fiscal year 2020. Changes were made to the rural hospital wage index, all-cause readmissions, and interoperability.
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Mental Health Conditions May Be Linked to Unnecessary Oophorectomies
Results from a new study identify mental health conditions associated with an increased risk of unnecessary bilateral oophorectomies, despite nonmalignant indications. Related research indicates that hysterectomy is associated with an increased risk of long-term mental health issues, including depression and anxiety.
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Early Clinical Trial Data Suggest Potential Chlamydia Vaccine Safe for Use
Results of an early trial of a potential chlamydia vaccine indicate it is safe for use. While the vaccine, the first to reach Phase 1 clinical trial status, demonstrates promising early signs, further studies are needed to determine whether the immune response fully protects against chlamydia infection.
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Research Discovery May Lead to New UTI Treatments
Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) are extremely common. In a primary care setting, 53% of women above age 55 years and 36% of younger women reported a recurrence within one year. Recent research indicates that some UTIs may stem from a persistent reservoir of E. coli residing in the intestine.
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Pharmacist Prescribing of Hormonal Contraceptives Available in Utah
Contraceptive access has expanded for adult women in Utah, as pharmacists have begun to prescribe hormonal contraceptives. As of September 2019, pharmacies in more than 75 Utah cities signed up to participate in the program. In 2018, the Utah legislature passed Senate Bill 184 to allow women aged 18 years and above to obtain hormonal contraceptives from a qualified pharmacist without a visit to a healthcare provider.
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Experts Push for Adolescent HPV Vaccination
New information indicates that an estimated 92% of HPV-related cancers could be prevented by vaccine. Several national professional organizations have come together to emphasize the critical importance of immunization visits to help teens receive the HPV shot and other needed immunizations.
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Research Examines Effect of Immediate Postpartum Use of DMPA in Breastfeeding Moms
While the contraceptive injection DMPA is a popular birth control option for many women, there is no definitive evidence on its immediate postpartum effect on breastfeeding. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development has awarded funding to Ohio State University researchers to evaluate the effects of immediate postpartum initiation of DMPA on breastfeeding and on long-term patterns of contraceptive use.
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Trained Dogs Detect C. diff in the Environment
A Canadian hospital is using highly trained dogs to sniff out C. diff in the environment, in a methodical manner akin to the way canines find drugs and explosives.
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CDC Drafts Infection Control Guidelines for Staph in NICUs
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued draft guidelines to prevent invasive Staphylococcus aureus infections in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).