Iowa news
UIHC mini-medical school program looks at why pregnancy matters to everyone’s health
The United States is seeing an alarming rise in pregnancy-related diseases and death. UIHC will delve into the intricacies of pregnancy health and how this affects the health of members of society. During this program, UIHC presenters will showcase tools and research discoveries at the UI Carver College of Medicine that will help address the immediate and long-term effects of pregnancy-related disease. From cardiovascular disease to mental health concerns like depression, they’ll share the latest advancements aimed at improving outcomes for mothers, children, and the society at large. (University of Iowa)
One question with UnityPoint Health – Des Moines Market President Jon Rozenfeld
In a recent Closer Look Q&A for the Business Record, UnityPoint Health – Des Moines’ new Market President, Jon Rozenfeld, outlined his role at the hospital system, discussed his path to medicine and pointed out the trends he thinks could define the industry in the next decade. When asked about the next big things for UnityPoint, Rozenfeld said the hospital system is always planning for future growth of its Des Moines-area campuses as health care needs evolve. Specifically, Rozenfeld talked about redevelopment planned for the former Care Inn and Woodland Center sites downtown on Woodland Avenue and High Street, respectively, which were razed in late 2023. (Business Record)
Central Iowa boy collecting stuffed animals to comfort kids during medical emergencies
A Story County boy spent his spring break helping others by collecting stuffed animals for first responders. Tucker Hobbs was inspired to organize the drive after his little brother had to go to the hospital after a fall in November. What was a very scary situation was calmed when the ambulance crew gave his brother a stuffed moose for comfort. Seeing how the stuffed moose made him feel better, Tucker decided he wanted to ensure other kids could be comforted during ambulance rides and hospital stays, too. Tucker’s Operation Emergency Cuddles has collected 127 stuffed animals. Right now, they’ll go to Mary Greeley Medical Center, but Tucker hopes he can get enough to spread the love to other towns. (KCCI)
National news
Health care sector faces ‘elevated’ risks amid U.S. cultural strife
The risks to health care facilities and their staff are on the rise and are expected to remain at heightened levels because of divisive cultural issues such as abortion, gender-related care and lingering tensions from discussions prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic. A confidential briefing memo issued by the Department of Homeland Security says the combination of socially and medically controversial issues, debated both publicly and in legal arenas, will increase the health care sector’s exposure as a potential target for attacks by domestic extremists. (ABC News)
Justice Department begins antitrust investigation into UnitedHealth
The Justice Department has begun an antitrust investigation into UnitedHealth Group. Investigators have been interviewing health care industry representatives in UnitedHealth competition sectors, which includes physician groups. Investigator questions during the interviews have included specific relations between the company’s UnitedHealthcare insurance unit and its Optum health-services arm, which owns physician groups and additional assets. Possible impacts of UnitedHealth’s physician group acquisitions pertaining to rivals and consumers have also been addressed during the questioning. (Becker’s Payer Issues)
Hospital staff experience workplace aggression every 40 hours
Hospital staff members experience 1.17 aggressive events — verbal or physical — for every 40 hours worked, with more aggression events occurring when staff have significantly greater numbers of patients assigned to them, a recent study found. The study examined incidence of patient and visitor aggressive events toward staff at five inpatient medical units in community hospitals and academic hospitals in the Northeast U.S. The data was collected using event counters, aggressive incident and management logs, and demographic forms over a 14-day period in early 2017. (The Joint Commission)