Category: Medical

BioIntelliSense, a leader in continuous health monitoring and clinical intelligence, and Hicuity Health, a leading provider of tech-enabled virtual care services, today announced a strategic partnership to offer fully managed, end-to-end continuous patient monitoring to hospitals and health systems. This partnership addresses critical infrastructure and staffing challenges faced by hospitals and health systems, empowering them to deploy proven, scalable monitoring solutions for in-hospital care, hospital-at-home programs, post-hospital discharge and chronic remote care management.

Through this partnership, the BioIntelliSense FDA-cleared BioButton® multi-parameter device and BioDashboard™ clinical intelligence system will integrate seamlessly with Hicuity Health’s 24/7 virtual patient monitoring services, to provide nurses and other clinicians with actionable health insights and workflow efficiencies. Hicuity Health services are designed to reduce the workforce burden of on-site clinical teams and leverage decades of experience and leadership in high-acuity patient monitoring, delivering over 11 million hours annually of patient monitoring across its nationwide client base.

“The BioIntelliSense award-winning medical-grade solution, combined with Hicuity Health’s extensive experience in patient monitoring services, ensures that health systems of all sizes can now deploy and scale continuous care programs from in-hospital to home,” said James Mault, MD, CEO and Founder of BioIntelliSense. “This partnership addresses current staffing challenges for health systems by offering a comprehensive tech-enabled solution for scalable continuous care that is proven to enable earlier interventions, better patient outcomes, and more efficient use of clinical resources.”

The addition of the Hicuity Health patient monitoring service is an ideal option for hospitals and health systems looking to either initiate or expand their virtual care programs. The rechargeable, wireless BioButton® wearable continuously and passively monitors patient vital signs and biometrics, automating the collection of 1,440 measurements per patient per day. The BioDashboard clinical intelligence engine provides algorithmic-based analytics and vital sign trends which are then securely monitored by Hicuity Health. Hicuity Health’s clinical teams follow predefined workflows and escalation protocols in collaboration with the health system to support timely interventions and better patient outcomes.

“At Hicuity Health, we are committed to transforming the way healthcare is delivered through trusted and innovative virtual care solutions that scale to the needs of hospital systems nationwide,” said Lou Silverman, CEO of Hicuity Health. “By partnering with BioIntelliSense, we’re bringing an unparalleled level of support, flexibility and scalability to hospitals and health systems, helping them provide the highest level of care for patients in-hospital and at-home.”
NewsBit Bureau

The head of the World Health Organization insisted on Monday it was “now or never” to strike a landmark global accord on tackling future pandemics, despite the United States withdrawing from negotiations.

WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said no country could protect itself from the next pandemic on its own — three days after US President Donald Trump’s administration formally told the United Nations health agency it would play no further part in the pandemic agreement talks.

“We are at a crucial point as you move to finalise the pandemic agreement in time for the World Health Assembly” in May, Tedros told WHO member states at the opening of the week-long 13th round of negotiations at the organisation’s Geneva headquarters.

“It really is a case of now or never. But I am confident that you will choose “now” because you know what is at stake.”

A further one-week session is planned to finalise the agreement before the WHO’s annual decision-making assembly.

In December 2021, fearing a repeat of the devastation wrought by Covid-19 — which killed millions of people, crippled health systems and crashed economies — countries decided to draft a new accord on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

While much of the draft text has been agreed, disputes remain over some key provisions, notably over sharing access to pathogens with pandemic potential and then equitably sharing the benefits derived from them, such as vaccines, tests and treatments.

– ‘Protect future generations’ –

“You remember the hard-won lessons of Covid-19, which left an estimated 20 million of our brothers and sisters dead, and which continues to kill.

“They are why we are here — to protect future generations from the impact of future pandemics,” said Tedros.

“The next pandemic is a matter of when, not if. There are reminders all around us — Ebola, Marburg, measles, mpox, influenza and the threat of the next disease X.”

Hours after returning to office on January 20, Trump signed an executive order to start the one-year process of withdrawing from the WHO, an organisation he has repeatedly criticised over its handling of Covid-19.

The order also said that during the withdrawal process, Washington would “cease negotiations” on the pandemic agreement.

Tedros said Washington had formally notified the WHO on Friday of its withdrawal from the agreement talks.

“No country can protect itself by itself. Bilateral agreements will only get you so far,” Tedros said, adding that prevention, preparedness and response was the responsibility of all countries.

“Like the decision to withdraw from WHO, we regret this decision and we hope the US will reconsider,” he said. AFP

The number of workers terminated by the Trump administration at the National Institutes of Health has been revised to 1,165, according to an NIH internal email seen by Reuters on Sunday, down from an initial 1,500.

The email, sent to senior NIH leaders on Saturday night, said some names were removed from the list but new ones may have been added. Affected staff will be placed on administrative leave starting on Monday.

They have received termination letters and will be on administrative leave for four weeks before they are officially terminated, an NIH official told Reuters.

The number accounts for around 6% of the 20,000 people employed by the NIH, an agency overseeing 27 institutes and centers and the top public funder of medical research on everything from vaccines for emerging pandemic threats to targets for new drugs.

It has long been in the crosshairs of newly confirmed Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who said in November he would act quickly to fire 600 people there and replace them all with new hires.

It was unclear if those terminated this week, most of whom were probationary workers let go as part of President Donald Trump’s overhaul of government agencies, included the 600 employees referenced by Kennedy, an avowed vaccine skeptic and critic of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and the NIH, agencies now under his watch.

The Trump administration also terminated employees at the FDA on Saturday night, Stat News reported, citing sources.

It wasn’t immediately clear how many FDA employees were affected nor how many parts of the agency may be involved, the report said, adding that some of those cut worked in the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

The FDA did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours.

About 5,200 probationary employees across the Department of Health and Human Services were being let go, STAT News reported, amounting to 6% of its 80,000 employees, including those at the FDA, NIH and the CDC, which saw half of its probationary workers terminated on Friday.

The U.S. government began firing thousands of people at multiple agencies on Thursday as Trump and billionaire Elon Musk accelerate their purge of America’s federal bureaucracy. Reuters

An automated oral biopsy device developed by a professor of SOA University has received a US patent.

The user-friendly automated pen-like device, which is expected to revolutionise oral biopsy procedures, has been developed by SOA’s pro vice-chancellor (research and collaboration) Prof Neeta Mohanty.

The device has simplified the process of biopsy and eliminated the need for extensive instrumentation along with features of tele-screening and fiber-optic light.

“Biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis and unskilled biopsy often leads to erroneous and delayed diagnosis resulting in life-threatening conditions. This device will benefit the patients immensely with early diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases without compromising on the expert opinion and reducing the burden of oral diseases, specially oral cancer,” Prof Mohanty said.

She had filed for two Indian patents for the same product in 2018 which were granted in 2023 and 2024 respectively, and she got a design patent in 2019. “I filed for the US patent in 2019 which was published in 2020 and the patent was granted a few days ago,” she said.

This innovation had won her the Global Outreach Dental Innovation Award in 2021. It was selected by the Science and Technology Department of the Odisha government for being showcased at the Global Bio India 2024 held at New Delhi.

Prof Mohanty’s research was funded by the Department of Science and Technology for prototype development and approval was received from Startup Odisha for need-based assistance. New Indian Express

Resistance to digitisation of patient health records by many healthcare providers is because they do not want to be accountable, said Indu Bhushan, former chairman of National Health Authority and former CEO of Ayushman Bharat.

Speaking at a panel discussion on “Future of Care: Revolutionising Healthcare Through Digital Innovation and Collaboration” at the Global Investors’ Meet on Thursday, Dr. Bhushan cited an example of doctors who prescribe investigation tests and antibiotics unnecessarily. “They also do not want to be accountable, because, in response, there is no benefit. Instead, it increases their workload,” he said.

“There are doctors who prescribe unnecessary antibiotics or unnecessary tests. They do not want to have it on record through digital means, because currently when you do it on paper, it is very difficult to audit that. But through digital health you can see that this doctor always prescribes antibiotics, irrespective of what kind of ailments the patient comes with. So they will be more accountable,” he explained.

He said it also holds good with interoperability of health records. “Many hospitals do not want their patients to leave the hospital and go to another hospital. That is why they would like the patient records to be with them. I am not casting aspersions on all hospitals. But, this is the reality,” said Dr. Bhushan, who was instrumental in rolling out the Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission (ABDM) in the country.

Inequitable technology use
Pointing out that technology use is inequitably distributed, Dr. Bhushan said there are some hospitals where digital technology is working very well. “They send reports on time. They link current reports to the previous ones. But again, there are others who are not doing this, or other patients who are not receiving the same service.”

“However, acceptability will increase in the next five years, similar to digital (UPI) payments. In the initial phases, there will be divergence. But once we have a critical mass, it will be the insurance payers who will insist that we should have digital records because it is easy to monitor. In all countries where digital health has taken root, it is largely because insurance companies and payers have insisted on this because they have a vested interest in ensuring that all the records are digital,” he said.

Public health policies
Asserting that public health infrastructure and the public health policies will drive the digital adoption in the country, Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, Managing Director of Fortis Healthcare sought to know why the government has not made ABDM mandatory for all hospitals.

ABDM aims to digitise healthcare delivery by building an ecosystem that rides on collaboration between the government and the private sector. However, it is optional.

“Public sector is much more organised because repetitions do not happen. So the wastage is minimal. But in the private sector, the patients go to one place, do some set of investigations, then go to another place, do another set of investigations. By the time the patients come for the procedure, they have self exhausted all their financial resources. So I think there are a lot of challenges,” he said.

Sonal Asthana, Programme Director of Liver Transplantation at Aster group of Hospitals, who moderated the session, sought to know from the panelists the challenges faced in digital adoption. “What are the specific security needs we should think about in an Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven world for healthcare?” he asked.

Shashank N.D., CEO of Practo, emphasised the importance of anonymisation in technology, particularly in FinTech and HealthTech to protect personal information without compromising on functionality.

The panelists also discussed the crucial aspect of slow adoption of healthcare insurance in India and if digital innovations can help in creating novel financial models for payment. The Hindu

Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dinesh Gundu Rao said on Monday, February 17, that the government will increase the payment being made to paediatricians, gynaecologists and anesthetists working at government hospitals.

Speaking at the quarterly meeting of Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) Review Committee the Minister said that the decision to hike the payment is to attract those doctors to work at government hospitals to meet the dearth of doctors.

Earlier, Dhananjaya Sarji, MLC and also a doctor, suggested the Minister that authorities of all government hostels in Dakshina Kannada should get the students tested by dermatologists at least twice a year. It is because many students at government hostels faced skin infections.

“Girls at hostels do require the guidance of gynaecologists to create awareness on female health issues. The government should do the needful for the same. In addition, as Dakshina Kannada is facing drug addiction issues hostel students should get counselling service from clinical psychologists or psychiatrists,” he said.

Water contamination
Drawing the attention of the meeting Dr. Sarji said that farmers should be guided on the proper use of fertilisers, particularly related to quantity. If more aluminium content joined water bodies consumption of those water can cause severe health issues, including brain disorders, and liver and bone damages, he alerted.

Bharat Mundodi, chairman of Dakshina Kannada committee for implementing the guarantee schemes, and Bhagirathi Murulya, MLA, Sullia said that arecanut growers affected by Yellow Leaf Disease and Leafspot Disease should get a package from the government for growing alternative crops.

U. Rajesh Naik, MLA, Bantwal said that some farm land have submerged due to storing of water in the newly built vented dam (across the Netravathi) at Jakribettu up to five metres high. Some people have complained that water has entered into their dwelling premises. The engineers concerned should address the issue by reducing the storage level at the dam.

There were heated arguments between the Minister and D. Vedavyasa Kamath, MLA, Mangaluru City South over the inauguration of Jeppu enclave in the city recently and over the adherence to protocol. The blame game lasted for some time and subsided later. The Hindu

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) announces its strong support for the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act. AANP thanks Senators Merkley (D-OR) and Lummis (R-WY), and Representatives Joyce (R-OH-14), Bonamici (D-OR-1), Kiggans (R-VA-2), Underwood (D-IL-14) and Rogers (R-AL-3) for introducing this bipartisan legislation in the U.S. House and Senate, which would improve health care access for Medicare and Medicaid patients and modernize the programs by removing barriers to practice for nurse practitioners (NPs) and other advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).

“This important legislation takes a necessary step toward modernizing outdated policies that limit patient access to timely care,” said AANP President Stephen A. Ferrara, DNP. “Nurse practitioners are essential providers in our nation’s health care system and removing these barriers ensures patients can receive the high-quality care they need—when and where they need it.”

NPs provide high-quality health care to Medicare and Medicaid patients across all geographic areas and health care settings. Approximately 40% of Medicare beneficiaries receive care from NPs, and NPs are the fastest growing Medicare provider group. Yet, despite the essential health care NPs provide to Medicare and Medicaid patients, outdated barriers still exist within the programs that prevent the effective and efficient delivery of care.

The ICAN Act would increase access to health care services for patients across the country by removing outdated federal barriers to care. This bill would authorize NPs to order cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, certify when patients with diabetes need therapeutic shoes, fully include NPs’ patients in the beneficiary attribution process for the Medicare Shared Savings Program, refer patients for medical nutrition therapy, certify and recertify a patient’s terminal illness for hospice eligibility, perform all mandatory examinations in skilled nursing facilities and more.

“Now is the time for Congress to act,” Ferrara added. “By passing the ICAN Act, lawmakers can help ensure Medicare and Medicaid patients receive the comprehensive, patient-centered care they deserve. This legislation strengthens the health care workforce and empowers providers to deliver care more efficiently.”

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) is the largest professional membership organization for nurse practitioners (NPs) of all specialties. It represents the interests of the more than 385,000 licensed NPs in the U.S. AANP provides legislative leadership at the local, state and national levels, advancing health policy; promoting excellence in practice, education and research; and establishing standards that best serve NPs’ patients and other health care consumers. As The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner®, AANP represents the interests of NPs as providers of high-quality, cost-effective, comprehensive, patient-centered health care.
NewsBit Bureau

Several hospitals in the Sunshine State, including six in Central Florida, are suing UnitedHealthcare for underpaying for emergency services provided, according to court records.

The suit alleges that the healthcare company failed to pay the amount required by Florida law for the services the hospitals offered.

“United has unilaterally and consistently decided to underpay the Hospitals these claims at only a fraction of the billed charges, at amounts well below the level of payment required by Florida statute,” according to the lawsuit.

In Central Florida, Osceola Regional Hospital, Central Florida Regional Hospital, Poinciana Medical Center, Marion Community Hospital, Oviedo Medical Center and UCF Lake Nona Hospital are listed on the suit along with 11 others in Florida. All of the hospitals listed in the suit are part of HCA Healthcare, Inc.

According to court records, none of the claims involve Medicare Advantage or Managed Medicaid plans.

“The claims at issue in this litigation involve only Affordable Care Act health insurance exchange products,” according to the suit.

The hospitals named in the suit seek damages in the amount of the difference of what UnitedHealthcare paid for the emergency services and the usual provider charges for similar services in the community where they were provided.

The hospitals named in the suit are:

• Osceola Regional Hospital
• Central Florida Regional Hospital
• Poinciana Medical Center
• Oviedo Medical Center
• Marion Community Hospital
• UCF Lake Nona Hospital
• Putnam Community Medical Center of North
• North Florida Regional Medical Center
• Notami Hospitals of Florida
• West Florida Regional Medical Center
• Fort Walton Beach Medical
• Tallahassee Medical Center
• Okaloosa Hospital
• Bay Hospital
• Lawnwood Medical Center
• Okeechobee Hospital
• HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital

The suit continues, saying in part that even though the hospitals listed and UnitedHealthcare do not have a contract, the hospitals must still provide emergency services to any patients who seek care at their facilities.

“Despite being excluded from United’s HIX plan network, the Hospitals provided emergency services and care to United HIX Members on more than 5,500 occasions from January 2022 through the present, and continue to do so on a daily or almost-daily basis.”

According to the lawsuit, the hospitals allege that UnitedHealthcare’s strategy for paying for out-of-network providers is “motivated by its desire to maximize its own profits at the expense of the very hospitals that care for its Members.” ClickOrlando

Novo Health Care Service and Encore Surgical Supplies developed the HealPACK as an innovative surgical dressing solution that enhances the post-surgery healing process, delivered to the patient’s door for treatment in the comfort of the patient’s home. HealPACK is a convenience pack of premium line of surgical dressing products trusted by physicians nationwide. HealPACK comes with a specifically development HealPACK app that supports the prescription and insurance verification process needed to order the product. The app also assists with relevant documentation required for proper reimbursement of the dressings. Each physician-prescribed, patient-specific order is shipped directly to the patient, eliminating risks around the interruption of continued care, increasing patient’s wound care compliance, and saving physicians’ practice time and money.

Miro Kesic, Encore’s CEO said, “In a short amount of time, we have become a market leader in empowering physicians to deliver post operative and conservative therapies for their patients. With a great team, advanced technology, and timely execution, Encore has delivered a superior platform to the market. This has resulted in the exponential growth and success of Encore Surgical.”

Neall French, Encore’s President added, “The next phase in continuing to deliver constant innovation and enhancements, is to align the HealPACK with one the industry’s best, in Tiger BioSciences. Tiger has an exceptional leadership team, impressive portfolio of companies, and a relentless mission in delivering superior clinical outcomes for patients.”

“The HealPACK and HealAPP is a fantastic addition to Tiger’s already impressive Wound Care product offering. Encore Surgical Dressing, LLC will be a new division of Tiger BioSciences that will have access to our vast network of customers in the orthopedic, podiatry as well as plastic surgery divisions. We are looking forward to the continuation of collaboration with Miro’s and Nealls’s team to ensure that more patients can benefit from our overall product offering,” said Oliver Burckhardt, Co-CEO of Tiger BioSciences.
NewsBit Bureau

Medical device maker Dexcom beat fourth-quarter sales estimates helped by resilient demand for its continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) used by patients with diabetes.

Dexcom’s shares fell nearly 37per cent last year, largely due to a slump in July after the company slashed its annual revenue forecast, blaming a restructuring of its sales team, fewer customers and lower revenue.

In July, the company said that based on the compounding effect of lower second-quarter new customer starts, it expects the growth rate in the back half of the year to be impacted.

It reiterated its previous 2025 revenue estimate of $4.60 billion. Analysts on average were expecting revenue of $4.61 billion, as per data compiled by LSEG.

The company reported fourth-quarter revenue of $1.11 billion slightly above the analysts’ consensus estimate of $1.10 billion.

The California-based device maker is pinning its hopes on Stelo, its recently launched device for adults aged 18 and older who do not use insulin, making it the first CGM available for over-the-counter sales.

Increasing diabetes care awareness, wider insurance coverage, and preference for devices that do not need finger pricks have benefited CGMs such as Dexcom’s Stelo and G7. Rival Abbott launched its own OTC CGM, Lingo, weeks after Dexcom’s Stelo debut.

The company is counting on further international expansion to drive growth after it said it had improved access to its devices in markets such as Japan and France last quarter.

On an adjusted basis, the company earned a profit of 45 cents per share, compared to estimates of 50 cents per share. Reuters