Author: Abhay Panchal

US Digestive Health (USDH), one of the largest gastroenterology practices in the United States, has announced its expansion into York, Pennsylvania. This expansion includes the addition of Dr. Chris Evans, DO, a highly skilled surgeon, to its team of healthcare providers. Dr. Evans will offer General Surgical services and procedures while advancing his endoscopic practice at the new USDH location in York. Dr. Rajesh Panchwagh, DO, FACG, will also serve at this new office location. Both physicians bring extensive experience in providing gastrointestinal care in York and the broader Pennsylvania region. Jerry Tillinger, CEO of US Digestive Health, emphasized the…

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Vial, a global tech-driven contract research organization (CRO), has announced a strategic partnership with Mason America Inc., a provider of mobile infrastructure for smart hardware products. This collaboration will see Mason providing Vial with hardware as a service for clinical sites, enabling remote management of devices for eSource on a global scale. The partnership aims to accelerate the development of new therapies and devices for sponsors and patients by leveraging cutting-edge technology and hardware infrastructure. Simon Burns, CEO and Co-Founder of Vial, emphasizes that this alliance will bring innovation and efficiency to clinical trials by enabling direct data capture and…

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Forward Health, led by CEO Adrian Aoun, has launched a new healthcare innovation called CarePods in 2023. These are self-contained, standalone medical stations equipped with advanced technology, including body scanners, smart sensors, and AI algorithms for diagnosing various ailments. CarePods are designed to be conveniently located in malls and office buildings, allowing users to perform a range of clinical tests such as blood draws, throat swabs, and blood pressure readings without the need for a doctor or nurse present. The diagnosis is powered by custom AI, with doctors available behind the scenes for prescriptions and further instructions. The service costs…

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llumina, a genomics company, has announced the launch of a new generation of its liquid biopsy assay, TruSight Oncology 500 (TSO 500) ctDNA v2, for the genomic profiling of solid tumors. This assay represents an advancement in the field of cancer diagnostics and research. Summary of the Article:Enhanced Features: The new version of the TSO 500 ctDNA assay offers faster molecular analysis, greater analytical sensitivity, and a more streamlined workflow compared to its predecessor. Comprehensive Genomic Profiling (CGP): The assay is designed for CGP of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) from blood samples. It is particularly useful when tissue testing is…

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The recent updates finalized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to its physician fee schedule for 2024 and the rule for next year’s Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) have sparked dissatisfaction among provider groups. Summary of the Article:Physician Fee Schedule for 2024: CMS has set the physician fee schedule conversion factor for 2024 at $32.74, down from $33.89 in 2023. This represents a decrease of $1.15 or 3.4%. The updated rule will reduce physicians’ Medicare payments by 1.25% in 2024, following a 2% reduction in 2023. Provider Groups’ Reaction: Provider groups, including the American Medical Association, have…

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The Medscape article titled “MASLD, MASH Projected to Grow by 23% in the US Through 2050” discusses a study predicting a significant increase in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD, formerly known as NAFLD) in the United States over the next three decades. Summary of the Article:Study Overview: Conducted by Phuc Le, PhD, MPH, and colleagues at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, the study used a mathematical model incorporating data on U.S. population growth and the natural history of MASLD/NAFLD. Projected Increase: The model forecasts a 23% relative increase in MASLD among U.S. adults from 2020 to 2050.…

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This approval is specifically for patients who have undergone prior treatments including fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin- and irinotecan-based chemotherapy, anti-VEGF therapy, and, if applicable, anti-EGFR therapy. Summary of the Article:Fruquintinib’s Role: Fruquintinib, an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor of VEGF receptors 1, 2, and 3, was previously granted fast track designation and review by the FDA for this indication. Clinical Trials: The FDA’s approval was based on results from two randomized phase 3 studies, FRESCO and FRESCO-2. These studies evaluated the safety and efficacy of fruquintinib among adults with previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer who had disease progression after standard therapies. Study Results:…

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Insights from Dr. James Leavitt, the director of clinical innovation for Gastro Health. He discusses the evolving landscape of private medical practice and the changes anticipated in the near future. Key Points from the Article:Consumer-Oriented Approach: Dr. Leavitt emphasizes the increasing importance of a consumer-oriented approach in healthcare. He suggests that private practices need to be more attuned to social implications, including maintaining a strong social media presence, ensuring good online reviews, and optimizing search engine visibility. This shift is driven by patients’ growing reliance on the internet for healthcare information and provider selection. Patient Experience and Engagement: The quality…

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A study conducted by Dr. Raghav Bassi, chief internal medicine resident at UCF-HCA Healthcare in Gainesville, Florida. The study reveals a correlation between obesity rates and colon cancer incidences in the United States, particularly in southern states. Summary of the Article:Study Findings: The research analyzed data from 289,196 HCA colon cancer patients across the nation. It found that those living in southern states had a higher incidence of colon cancer compared to those in midwestern or northeastern states. Obesity and Colon Cancer Link: The states with the highest incidences of colon cancer also had the highest obesity rates. This correlation…

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This U.S.-based spinoff, named Intelligent Scopes Corp., is focused on developing and delivering endoscopic image processing and AI-assisted diagnostic solutions for urology and gastroenterology. Key Points from the Article:Claritas HealthTech’s Initiative: Over the past two years, Claritas HealthTech has been pioneering technology for precise AI detection of conditions in endoscopic imaging. This has led to the creation of Intelligent Scopes Corp., which will concentrate on research, development, and delivery of these technologies. Focus on Gastroenterology and Urology: The spinoff will specifically target the fields of gastroenterology and urology, aiming to enhance diagnostic accuracy and efficiency in these areas through advanced…

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