A recent cross-sectional study involving over 200 adults has found a correlation between the severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and an increased prevalence of hypertension. The study aimed to provide insights into the association between hypertension and the severity of biopsy-proven NAFLD in adults with obesity, especially since previous research on this topic was limited and mainly focused on Asian and European populations. Key findings from the study include:
Author: Abhay Panchal
Genpact, a global professional services firm, has announced a new multi-year agreement with GE HealthCare to transform and manage its US leasing and lending operations. The collaboration will utilize Genpact’s digital technology solutions, particularly its business-process-as-a-service (BPaaS) operating model. This model is integrated with Genpact’s AI-powered platform, Genpact Cora, providing a scalable and agile solution tailored to GE HealthCare’s requirements. The platform features an open architecture, integrating generative AI and other emerging digital technologies. By adopting this platform, GE HealthCare will gain access to essential business benchmarks, insights, key performance indicators, and the flexibility to adapt to changing market and…
Cigna Healthcare, a subsidiary of The Cigna Group, has announced the removal of nearly 25% of medical services from its prior authorization (or precertification) requirements. This move, which involves the elimination of over 600 additional codes, means that since 2020, Cigna has removed prior authorization for more than 1,100 medical services. The aim is to simplify the healthcare experience for both patients and healthcare providers. David Brailer, MD, executive vice president and Chief Health Officer of The Cigna Group, stated that the company’s objective is to ensure patient safety, enhance health outcomes, and make care more affordable. By reducing administrative…
Suki, a leading voice AI technology provider for healthcare, has announced an enhancement for Cerner, building on its previous introduction of bi-directional ambient sync for Epic. This latest version of Suki Assistant enables Cerner users to quickly create clinical documentation with increased efficiency. The tool uses ambient note-taking, dictation, and intuitive commands to produce documentation that integrates seamlessly into the system of record, updating relevant sections automatically. With the bi-directional sync feature, users can effortlessly transition between Cerner and Suki to initiate and finalize their documentation. This provides flexibility in their workflow. Additionally, users can now reference essential patient chart…
The global digital health market, which was previously a favorite among venture capital investors, has seen a decline in funding. According to a report by CB Insights, the second quarter of 2023 witnessed the lowest funding level since Q3 2017, amounting to $3.4 billion. The total digital health funding for the first half of the year was $6.9 billion, which is only half of the previous year’s total. The number of deals was also at its lowest since Q2 2015. The U.S. contributed to nearly two-thirds of the digital health funding in Q2, but this was an 80% decrease compared…
Generative AI is making significant strides in the healthcare sector. Rich Birhanzel, Accenture’s global health industry lead, discusses the transformative potential of generative AI in healthcare. Here are the key points: Harmonizing Humans and Machines: The healthcare industry has seen a surge in technological advancements that have doubled life expectancy over the past century. The challenge now is to harmonize the way humans and machines collaborate. The primary concern in global healthcare is patient access due to a shortage of physicians and nurses. Generative AI can help address this by reducing administrative burdens, allowing healthcare professionals to focus more on…
Epic and Microsoft have announced an extended collaboration aimed at integrating generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools into Epic’s electronic health records (EHR) system. The partnership aims to swiftly introduce a variety of AI technologies, such as clinical note summarization, medical coding suggestions, and data exploration tools. These tools are designed to address gaps in clinical evidence using real-world data. The primary goal of this expanded collaboration is to expedite the development and deployment of AI tools in the healthcare sector. Eric Boyd, the corporate vice president of AI platform at Microsoft, emphasized the importance of introducing this technology as swiftly…
The American Foregut Society has issued new guidance on best practices for transoral incisionless fundoplication for the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease. TIF, which reestablishes and augments the gastroesophageal flap valve to restore its function, is a “great option to treat GERD, with an excellent safety profile and high level of patient satisfaction,” said Olaya Brewer Gutierrez, MBBS, the director of endoscopy at Sibley Memorial Hospital, in Washington, D.C., and a lead author of the white paper. TIF and concomitant TIF (cTIF), in which TIF is combined with laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair in patients with a hiatal hernia larger than…
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed several coding changes in its Medicare Physician Fee Schedule that are crucial for anesthesia leaders, as highlighted in a blog post by Rita Astani, the president of anesthesia for Coronis Health. Key changes include:
Colon cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Over the past two decades, there has been a notable rise in early-onset colorectal cancer (EO-CRC) cases, defined as those diagnosed before the age of 50. This increase accounts for about 10% of CRC mortalities. The rise in EO-CRC is alarming and has led to global efforts to understand its trends, diagnostic challenges, and potential future interventions. Several factors, such as Western dietary patterns, smoking, and obesity, have been suggested as potential causes. Additionally, the gut microbiota’s role in influencing obesity, immunity, and inflammation is being explored as…