Microsoft is rolling out new AI-powered features in Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, including healthcare AI models in Azure AI Studio and advanced data tools in Microsoft Fabric. The upgrades aim to enhance patient care, streamline workflows, and ease administrative burdens for clinicians. A standout feature is Nuance’s DAX Copilot, integrated with Epic EHR, which is already helping doctors reduce note-taking time and see more patients. Microsoft is also advancing AI tools for nurses through voice-powered documentation, in collaboration with major health systems like Advocate Health and Northwestern Medicine. With healthcare-specific AI safeguards and multimodal medical imaging models, Microsoft is empowering…
Author: Abhay Panchal
United European Gastroenterology’s (UEG) report, Enhancing Transitional Care in Digestive Health, highlights the need for early, structured support as young patients transition from pediatric to adult care. Key recommendations include starting transition planning by age 12, improving coordination between care providers, offering personalized emotional support, and ensuring treatment continuity between pediatric and adult guidelines. UEG calls for a coordinated effort to empower patients for lifelong health management.
Physicians play a critical role in hospital finances through their decisions on treatments, technologies, and resource use. However, only a few health systems currently align physician incentives to manage costs effectively. This article outlines key principles for creating incentive programs that empower physicians to cut costs while maintaining high patient outcomes.Incentives can be broad, focusing on managing the overall cost of procedures, or narrow, rewarding physicians for specific cost-saving actions like switching to lower-cost supplies. Broader incentives offer more autonomy and allow physicians to find innovative ways to reduce costs without compromising care.
Researchers from Mayo Clinic and North Dakota State University have identified troubling trends in digestive disease mortality among Native populations, specifically those classified as American Indian and Alaska Native. Their analysis, published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, found that these populations—particularly women—experience disproportionately high death rates from conditions like chronic liver disease and inflammatory bowel disease. Barriers such as limited access to gastrointestinal care, vaccine programs, and systemic racism were highlighted as key contributors to these disparities. The study emphasizes the need for targeted public health interventions and policy changes to promote health equity and reduce mortality rates.
Nashville-based Vanderbilt Health has begun notifying patients of potential exposure to hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV due to improperly conducted endoscopy procedures at a clinic on its main campus. According to WZTV, affected patients only recently received these alarming notifications, despite the procedures being performed months ago—raising fears about potential transmission to family, friends, or others.Vanderbilt emphasized that the risk of infection is low but is notifying patients out of caution. The issue, traced to the way a solution was administered during the procedures, has since been corrected. The Tennessee Department of Health is currently investigating the incident.
The October issue of The American Journal of Gastroenterology brings cutting-edge research on several crucial topics, including insurance-related challenges in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) management, the impact of bowel prep on colonoscopy outcomes and CRC deaths, and cost-effective follow-up strategies for small hepatocellular carcinoma. Highlighted articles include: This issue also delves into topics like opioid effects on the GI tract, pediatric gastroenterology, eosinophilic esophagitis, and chronic pancreatitis. Stay informed on the latest developments—articles and expert commentary are available upon request from the American College of Gastroenterology.
Cylinder, a leader in personalized digestive health solutions, has teamed up with Brown & Brown, a top insurance brokerage firm, to enhance payer benefits with a focus on GI care. This partnership, launched in June 2024, integrates Cylinder’s app-based digestive health management platform into Brown & Brown’s suite of payer solutions, helping employers reduce rising GI-related healthcare costs.
Keeping up with the evolving field of obesity medicine can be challenging. Dr. Mike Albert, a board-certified specialist in internal and obesity medicine and co-founder of Accomplish Health, breaks it all down in this episode. As the leader of a telehealth practice offering comprehensive obesity care—and with a social media following of over 300,000—Dr. Albert offers valuable insights into the latest trends.In this episode, Dr. Albert explores the rise of GLP-1 medications, powerful new treatments derived from gastrointestinal hormones that regulate appetite and energy. These therapies, enhanced by biotechnological advances, are outperforming natural hormones but raise concerns about quality care…
In this Innovation Series episode, Dr. Parikh sits down with Jeff Glueck, CEO and Co-Founder of Salvo Health, to discuss how the digital health platform is reshaping care for chronic GI diseases. Salvo Health’s patented “Whole Self Science” algorithm integrates digital tools with traditional gastroenterology practices, offering enhanced patient support. Tune in to learn how this innovative approach bridges gaps between virtual care and brick-and-mortar GI clinics, promising better outcomes for patients with chronic gastrointestinal conditions.
UnitedHealthcare launched its national Gold Card program on Oct. 1, promising reduced administrative burdens for providers adhering to evidence-based care. However, gastroenterologists are expressing concerns about transparency, fairness, and the impact on medical judgment.The program, which exempts qualifying providers from prior authorizations for certain services, has so far excluded endoscopy procedures, leaving many questions unanswered. Experts like Dr. Andrew Albert worry that the program may penalize physicians for clinical decisions that diverge from corporate-driven guidelines. Similarly, Dr. Maria Abreu warns that the initiative could favor larger practices with more administrative resources, placing smaller, independent providers at a disadvantage.