OMNY Health has announced a new partnership with leading U.S. gastroenterology practices and integrated delivery networks to launch novel real-world data and evidence solutions tailored for research in gastroenterology. This partnership brings over 5,000 GI providers into OMNY’s research network, representing care for more than 10 million patients, thus significantly expanding OMNY’s real-world data ecosystem. The focus is on using de-identified data from patient electronic health records to support compliant research partnerships and provide insights on patient demographics, care patterns, treatment outcomes, disease severity, and the impact of social determinants on healthcare. The data gathered will help in understanding disease…
Author: Rutali Thakur
Key Points: A new survey conducted by Wolters Kluwer Health shows increasing enthusiasm among physicians for generative AI (genAI), with 81% believing it improves care team interactions with patients. 89% of physicians demand transparency regarding the sources of clinical decision support data, preferring it to come from practicing medical experts. More than half of the surveyed physicians (54%) believe that genAI can save them at least 20% of the time spent searching for data relevant to clinical decisions, while 68% find it helpful for quickly searching medical literature.Lack of Organizational Guidelines: Many physicians report a lack of clear organizational policies…
Key Points: The HemoPill monitor is a photometric capsule endoscopy device designed for non-invasive diagnosis and long-term monitoring of potential sources of bleeding in the upper GI tract. It is attached to an over-the-scope clip and introduced via standard gastroscope. The device was tested in a patient with fundus variceal hemorrhage treated with cyanoacrylate. The patient was monitored for 28 days to assess the capsule’s performance and the patient’s condition. The capsule transmits data to a receiver that displays a HemoPill index (HI), with an HI value ≥1.0 indicating active bleeding. The patient underwent regular follow-ups including daily telephone contact,…
Nearly 60 million people aged 45 to 85 years are at average risk and eligible for CRC screening in the U.S., according to data from a cross-sectional study published in JAMA Network Open. The study notes significant advancements in CRC screening over the last decade, including the introduction of a multitarget stool DNA test and the lowering of the starting age for screening to 45 years. Despite these advancements, a significant portion of the population remains unscreened. The study found that 59.3% to 61.8% of those eligible were up to date on screening, leaving 44.7 to 47.7 million people still…
The collaboration aims to create a center of excellence for digestive health, elevating the level of care available to the community and addressing the growing need for specialized gastrointestinal services. The partnership will bring nine new GI providers to McLaren Greater Lansing, including six general gastroenterologists and three colorectal surgeons, enhancing the hospital’s capacity to provide advanced preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services. The services offered will include endoscopy, such as colonoscopies and screenings for colorectal cancers, and treatment for chronic diseases like Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome. Dr. Albert Ross and Dr. Daniel Coffey will serve as medical directors…
Key Points: The summit emphasized collaboration between startups and venture capitalists to advance GI technologies. Innovative companies presented their technologies to a panel of expert judges. Arithmedics won, recognized for its use of generative AI and data intelligence in healthcare billing to reduce errors and claim denials. Aspero Medical emerged as the crowd favorite. Aspero Medical with their PillarTM balloon overtube solution, enhances GI tract procedures through improved friction and anchoring. read more
In a podcast for Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Naresh Gunaratnam interviews Dr. Srinadh Komanduri, discussing public education efforts on esophageal cancer and advanced diagnostic tools. They emphasize the importance of identifying high-risk patients, such as those with Barrett’s Esophagus, who can benefit from endoscopic eradication therapy to prevent cancer. The TissueCypher test at Northwestern helps assess cancer risk through molecular biomarkers. The discussion highlights strategies to manage patient care effectively to prevent the onset of esophageal cancer. read more
Key insights: Studies have consistently shown AI outperforming physicians in various medical domains, including emergency medicine, cardiology, neurology, ophthalmology, and primary care. While many physicians express concerns about AI making diagnosis and treatment decisions, a significant percentage are enthusiastic about using AI as an adjunct to their practice. The rapid advancement of AI in healthcare highlights the need for medical education reform to prepare future physicians for working alongside AI technologies effectively. AI’s capabilities extend beyond physical health to mental health, with the potential to analyze subtle clues and democratize access to therapy. read more
Multitarget stool-based tests are emerging as promising alternatives for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in average-risk individuals, potentially surpassing the current standard fecal immunochemical test (FIT). These new tests, while similar to FIT in principle, extend their scope by incorporating additional DNA, RNA, or protein biomarkers associated with CRC for enhanced early detection. Current CRC screening recommendations include standard FIT, stool FIT-DNA, and guaiac fecal occult blood test (gFOBT), each with its limitations such as false positives and cost concerns. Three new multitarget tests under investigation — Cologuard 2.0 (DNA-based), ColoSense (RNA-based), and CRCbioscreen (protein-based) — show promise in improving sensitivity…
Key Points: Average reimbursement for gastrointestinal (GI) procedures, including colonoscopy and biopsy, decreased significantly from 2007 to 2022. In 2024, the average cost of a colonoscopy in the U.S. is $1,608. Facility fees for colonoscopies at U.S. hospitals covered by private health insurance are significantly higher compared to those at Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs). The article presents a year-by-year comparison of the costs of diagnostic colonoscopies at ASCs and Hospital Outpatient Departments (HOPDs) from 2018 to 2022. read more