Iowa news
New radiation therapy at UI targets tumors more precisely
UI Health Care is the first medical center in North America and the second worldwide to cross over into the next phase of MR-Linac technology, offering even more precise real-time targeting of soft tissue tumors with radiation therapy. MR-Linac technology combines magnetic resonance imaging with a linear accelerator to provide real-time tracking of a tumor during radiation therapy. Besides treating tumors more precisely, the technology reduces radiation exposure for the patient. The new update to MR-Linac technology – comprehensive motion management – uses software that automatically turns the radiation beam on and off during treatment to account for tumor movement. (University of Iowa)
Iowa fails most categories in latest American Lung Association report
Iowa has scored failing grades in most of the American Lung Association’s latest State of Tobacco Control report categories. The report compares state policies to efforts to prevent young people from using tobacco and help adults to quit. The only category Iowa scored a B in is smoke-free air. The report says smoking costs Iowa more than $1 billion in health care costs a year. Around one in every six high schoolers in the state use tobacco, mainly through e-cigarettes. (Iowa Public Radio)
Des Moines Orthopaedic Surgeons notifies patients of data breach caused by “vendor failure”
Wednesday, Jan. 24, Des Moines Orthopaedic Surgeons filed a data breach notice with the Attorney General of Texas after discovering an unauthorized actor accessed the company’s computer network. The unauthorized actor accessed consumers’ sensitive information, which includes their names, Social Security numbers, birthdates, driver’s license numbers, state identification numbers, passport numbers, direct deposit bank information, medical information, and health insurance information. After completing its investigation, Des Moines Orthopaedic Surgeons began sending data breach notification letters to people whose information was affected by the recent data security incident. More information is expected shortly. (JD Supra)
National news
Colorado considers bill to protect health care workers from violence
A bill in the Colorado Legislature aims to prevent workplace violence in specific health care settings. The bill includes two acts: one applicable to hospitals, freestanding emergency departments, nursing care facilities, assisted living residences and federally qualified health centers, and another to comprehensive community behavioral health providers. The summary says both acts require facilities to develop and regularly review workplace violence prevention plans. They must also submit workplace violence incident reports to state officials twice yearly. If an incident occurs, facilities must offer post-incident services to affected workers. (Becker’s Hospital Review)
Cleveland Clinic turns to AI to ease labor shortage
Cleveland Clinic will use artificial intelligence to help cope with the global shortage of health care workers. Cleveland Clinic has already initiated pilot programs incorporating AI solutions. One example is an AI-driven patient portal known as an advice companion. This portal provides people with chronic diseases with prompt, computer-generated responses about their conditions, replacing traditional messages from their physicians. Artificial intelligence is also used to capture patient-caregiver conversations, allowing caregivers to dedicate more time to patients and less to paperwork, with computer-generated notes being reviewed for accuracy. (Cleveland.com)
Mammography AI can cost patients extra. Is it worth it?
AI software that helps radiologists detect problems or diagnose cancer using mammography has been moving into clinical use in recent years. The software can store and evaluate large datasets of images and identify patterns and abnormalities that radiologists might miss. It highlights potential problem areas in an image and assesses any likely malignancies. This extra review has enormous potential to improve the detection of suspicious breast masses and lead to earlier diagnoses of breast cancer. Although studies showing better detection rates are highly encouraging, some radiologists say more research and evaluation are needed before concluding the value of the routine use of these tools in regular clinical practice. (KFF Health News)