Monthly Archives: June 2017

Today's Top Story Reminder: July 1 deadline for hardship exemption applications under CMS EHR incentive program. The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is reminding providers that July 1, 2017 is the deadline to submit 2018 hardship exemption applications under meaningful use of electronic health records (EHRs). Providers who did not meet meaningful use in 2016 and who have not received a hardship exemption will incur a Medicare payment penalty beginning on Jan. 1, 2018. Hardship [...]

Today's Top Story Bill would implement national caps on noneconomic damages in certain medical liability suits. The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill that would, if enacted, cap noneconomic damages at $250,000 for medical liability claims in which care was provided or subsidized by the federal government. The bill would also implement a statute of limitations for adults of 3 years following injury or 1 year after claimant discovers the injury, whichever occurs first. Read more... [...]

Today's Top Story Study: Operative approach may offer some benefits for patients with displaced midshaft clavicular fracture. Findings from a study published in the June 21 issue of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery (JBJS) suggest that plate fixation for displaced midshaft clavicular fracture may reduce risk of nonunion compared to nonsurgical treatment. The research team conducted a meta-analysis of six randomized, controlled trials covering 614 patients. The investigators found that surgical treatment was associated with reduced [...]

Today's Top Story Senate releases updated version of ACA replacement legislation. The U.S. Senate introduced its own version of the American Health Care Act (AHCA), titled the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA). The Senate version of the bill is similar to the AHCA, which was passed earlier this year by the U.S. House of Representatives as a replacement for the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Key differences include: Both bills end funding for Medicaid expansion, but the AHCA cuts [...]

Today's Top Story CMS proposes changes to increase participation in quality and payment programs. The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a proposed rule addressing alterations for the second year of the Quality Payment Program (QPP). Among other things, the proposed rule includes new flexibilities for clinician participation in either Advanced Alternative Payment Models or the Merit-based Incentive Payment System, and makes it easier for rural and small providers to participate in those programs. [...]

Today's Top Story FDA announces recall of certain Hospira products due to possible contamination. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that Hospira, Inc. is voluntarily recalling 42 lots of 8.4% Sodium Bicarbonate Injection, USP, 50 mL vials, 5 lots of NeutTM (Sodium Bicarbonate 4% additive solution) 5 mL vials, 5 lots of QUELICINTM (Succinylcholine Chloride Injection, USP) 200 mg/10 mL vials and 7 lots of Potassium Phosphates Injection, USP, 45 mM vials due to microbial growth [...]

Today's Top Story FDA issues safety recommendations for use of frameless stereotaxic navigation systems. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a safety communication regarding navigational accuracy errors associated with frameless stereotaxic navigation systems. The agency states that navigational accuracy errors may occur when using such navigation systems, and offers recommendations for surgeons to consider to mitigate associated risks to patients, including repeatedly assessing the navigational accuracy throughout a procedure when using a frameless surgical navigation [...]

Today's Top Story FDA to scrutinize abuse-deterrent opioid formulations, engage public on addiction epidemic. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is looking to take "more forceful steps" to confront opioid addiction, including assessing whether formulations intended to make drugs more difficult to misuse (through injecting or crushing and snorting) are effective or can be improved. FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, said the agency is forming a steering committee to consider regulatory and policy initiatives to address the [...]