Iowa news
Mercy acquires new breast specimen imaging system
Cedar Rapids-based Mercy Medical Center has acquired the first CT (3D) breast specimen imaging system in the state of Iowa, according to hospital officials. The Clarix Imaging VSI-360 breast specimen imaging system will help Mercy’s breast cancer surgeons identify tumors more easily during lumpectomy procedures, as well as provide patients with greater peace of mind by knowing they are less likely to need additional procedures later. (Corridor Business Journal)
University of Iowa Health Assessment reveals rising student risk habits in 2023
A new University of Iowa health assessment shows risky habits among undergraduate and graduate students have gone up in 2023 compared to 2021, including a sharp rise in consuming energy drinks. It’s important to remember that many students were still taking classes online back in 2021 and living with their families, so this year’s assessment is a bit limited when compared to assessments done prior to the pandemic. The assessment showed 20.5 % of the students surveyed reported they had an energy drink or an energy shot at least 5 days in the last month compared to just 9% who said they did back in 2021. (KGAN)
Here’s where COVID-19 hospitalizations stand in Iowa as summer 2023 nears an end
New data from the CDC shows COVID-19 hospitalizations nationally increased 19% in the last week. Iowa has seen 109 patients admitted with the virus, a 51% increase from the previous week. Dr. Aneesa Afroze, an Infectious Disease Consultant with MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, says this uptick is to be expected with viruses like COVID-19, pointing to the general rises we see of influenza and RSV throughout different parts of the year. (WOI)
National news
HHS selects first drugs for Medicare drug price negotiation
For the first time, thanks to President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act – the historic law lowering health care costs – Medicare is able to negotiate the prices of prescription drugs. Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, announced the first 10 drugs covered under Medicare Part D selected for negotiation. The negotiations with participating drug companies will occur in 2023 and 2024, and any negotiated prices will become effective beginning in 2026. Medicare enrollees taking the 10 drugs covered under Part D selected for negotiation paid a total of $3.4 billion in out-of-pocket costs in 2022 for these drugs. (Department of Health and Human Services)
Kaufman Hall releases August National Hospital Flash Report
Hospitals’ financial performance worsened in July with all volume indicators declining amid the continued effects of Medicaid eligibility redeterminations, according to data from Kaufman Hall’s latest National Hospital Flash Report. The median calendar year-to-date operating margin index for hospitals was 1.3% in July, down slightly from the previous month. However, operating margins are still showing improvement compared to 2022. (Kaufman Hall)
Over-the-counter opioid overdose antidote Narcan to hit shelves next week
The first over-the-counter naloxone, a drug used to reverse opioid overdose, will be available in retail stores and online as soon as next week, its manufacturer said Wednesday. The medicine, with the brand name Narcan, will have a suggested retail price of $44.99 per carton of two doses, maker Emergent BioSolutions said in a news release. It will be available initially in stores and online from retailers including Walgreens, Rite Aid, Walmart and CVS. (CNN)