Guardant Health’s Shield™, a pioneering blood test for colorectal cancer screening, has been included in TIME magazine’s 2024 list of the Best Inventions, which recognizes 200 innovations impacting healthcare, AI, and other fields. Shield, which gained FDA approval and Medicare reimbursement earlier in 2024, is celebrated for its ability to detect colorectal cancer at earlier stages, potentially saving lives by offering a less invasive, accessible screening option. The selection highlights Guardant’s commitment to transforming cancer diagnostics, as the company reaches milestones of 500 peer-reviewed publications and over 500,000 patient tests. Guardant co-CEO AmirAli Talasaz noted the honor as a testament…
Author: Abhay Panchal
A recent study by WovenX Health showcased the potential of on-demand telehealth in cutting emergency department (ED) visits and associated healthcare costs for gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. With GI issues being one of the top reasons for non-admission ED visits, the study estimates that unnecessary ED visits lead to over $30 billion in avoidable spending yearly. Key findings revealed that out of 501 patients using WovenX’s on-demand GI telehealth platform, over 40% would have otherwise sought care in the ED or urgent care.
A recent study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology suggests that individuals with no detectable fecal hemoglobin (f-Hb) in prior negative fecal immunochemical tests (FITs) have a significantly higher harm-to-benefit ratio for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. Led by Esther Toes-Zoutendijk, PhD, the research found that the number needed to screen (NNS) to detect advanced adenomas or CRC was notably higher among individuals with undetectable f-Hb, implying reduced screening effectiveness.
A new book from the American Association for Physician Leadership (AAPL), Private Equity and Healthcare: Leadership, Economics, and Trends for the Future, authored by Max Reiboldt, CPA, delves into the growing influence of private equity (PE) in U.S. healthcare. The book provides a balanced analysis of PE’s impact, equipping healthcare leaders to make informed decisions. It highlights the potential for innovation and efficiency alongside challenges to patient care quality. Contributions from industry experts offer insights into managing these complexities. The book aims to guide physicians and healthcare leaders as they navigate the evolving landscape of PE investments.
Physicians Practice has released its 2024 ranking of the best U.S. states for practicing medicine, using seven key criteria: cost of living, physician density, state business tax levels, malpractice insurance rates, quality of life, women’s healthcare, and Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCI). These rankings provide insights into which states offer the most favorable conditions for physicians, drawing from publicly available data and insights from Physicians Practice partners.
Blue Cross Blue Shield has agreed to a $2.8 billion settlement to resolve antitrust claims from hospitals and healthcare providers, marking the largest healthcare antitrust settlement to date. The lawsuit, filed in 2012, accused Blue Cross of dividing territories to limit competition, inflating insurance costs, and underpaying providers. In addition to the monetary settlement, Blue Cross will implement operational changes, including a new information platform for claims transparency and increased contracting opportunities for providers. The deal, subject to court approval, follows a similar $2.7 billion settlement with subscribers in 2020, which the U.S. Supreme Court upheld earlier this year.
In the latest episode of The Scope with Dr. K, Dr. Lawrence Kosinski interviews Leo Grady, CEO of Jona, about how AI is transforming microbiome research and healthcare. Jona’s AI-driven insights connect gut health to areas like brain function, metabolism, and physical performance, offering personalized recommendations for diet, lifestyle, and medications. The discussion highlights Jona’s future plans for diagnostics and therapeutics, emphasizing the potential for routine microbiome testing to prevent illness and enhance holistic care.
Amazon’s One Medical has unveiled new AI tools, powered by AWS HealthScribe and Amazon Bedrock, aimed at reducing administrative burdens for healthcare providers. These tools will capture real-time patient visit notes for provider review, summarize external medical records, and streamline messaging by routing tasks to appropriate care team members based on patient needs.The initiative reflects One Medical’s strategy to leverage AI to improve care delivery by freeing providers from time-consuming tasks, allowing them to focus on patient care. “Generative AI has the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery,” said Prakash Bulusu, CTO at Amazon Health Services.
IBD clinical trials face growing challenges with recruitment and design. Patients often opt for approved therapies over trials with placebo arms or novel treatments, limiting participation. Dr. David Rubin of the University of Chicago emphasizes the need for more innovative, accessible trial designs, such as head-to-head comparisons and umbrella trials, to improve recruitment and efficacy evaluation.Dr. Marla Dubinsky of Mount Sinai calls for more inclusive inclusion criteria, noting that real-world practices differ from clinical trial protocols, such as requiring long washout periods. She advocates for pediatric drug development to leverage adult data to accelerate approvals.Experts, including Dr. Peter Higgins of…
Iterative Health will showcase five studies at the American College of Gastroenterology 2024, highlighting how machine learning (ML) can enhance endoscopic assessments in IBD, particularly ulcerative colitis. The research demonstrates ML’s potential to improve clinical trial accuracy, link disease severity with EHR data, and support precision medicine.Dr. David Rubin (University of Chicago) and Dr. Vijay Yajnik (Takeda) emphasized the value of ML in refining drug development and advancing real-world care. Iterative Health aims to replace traditional scoring with objective insights, streamlining GI research and driving better patient outcomes.