Survey Reveals that HMOs Made Improvements in Quality of Care During 1999
The nonprofit National Committee for Quality Assurance, which helps employers gauge the quality of their health insurance plans, studied clinical quality measures and reported that the industry had made significant gains in 1999. The analysis is based upon 466 health plans that insure about 51 million people. The most noteworthy progress is in improvements in heart-disease prevention and childhood immunizations. The survey also reported areas that need improvement. Two major areas of concern are patients with asthma and preventative medicine (e.g., diabetic-eye exams and cervical-cancer screening). For more information visit www.ncqa.org.
Long COVID: Urgent Findings, Including Brain Alterations, Call for Renewed Public Health Focus
October 21st 2024New research highlights long COVID’s global impact, cognitive decline, and societal consequences, urging renewed focus on prevention, including vaccination, mask use, and better air quality.
Health Care-Associated Burkholderia multivorans Infections Traced to Contaminated Ice Machines
October 14th 2024Contaminated ice machines caused Burkholderia multivorans infections at hospitals in California and Colorado. Health officials recommend stopping ice machine use during clinical care to prevent further outbreaks.