The computer will see you now: Artificial Intelligence usage grows at Florida hospitals
Central Florida’s two major health systems, Orlando Health and AdventHealth Central Florida, are widely using Artificial Intelligence for administrative work and, increasingly, to sound early alarms about potential illnesses, including deadly pancreatic cancer and sepsis. Eventually, some experts think AI could even be used to diagnose patients and make treatment decisions.More from the Orlando Sentinel and Medical Xpress.
Measles cases are popping up across the country. How many are in Florida?
Measles outbreaks are continuing to emerge across the country, including in Florida where reported cases amount to 20% of the total this year, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So far, the U.S. has recorded 41 measles cases within the first two months of 2024, already nearing last year’s total count of 58 cases, according to Friday’s CDC update. Ten of the cases were reported in Florida in February. [Source: Miami Herald]
Sunshine State looks to require some insurers to cover costs of skin cancer screenings
Lawmakers are poised to make it easier and cheaper for Florida residents to undergo potentially lifesaving skin cancer screenings by ensuring that all costs are covered by health insurance. Florida would be the second state – and first in the South – to offer such subsidized screenings. Florida estimated it would cost insurance companies, including UnitedHealth, Aetna, Florida Blue and Capital Health Plan – a total of $357,580 to $416,503 extra per year. [Source: Health News Florida]
Florida Senate approves a bill creating ‘rural emergency hospitals’
The Florida Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed a bill that would create a new category of “rural emergency hospitals” in the state, with supporters saying it would help ensure access to health care in rural areas. The bill (SB 644), sponsored by Sen. Corey Simon, R-Tallahassee, came after a federal law allowed the creation of rural emergency hospitals and made them eligible for Medicare payments. The hospitals are required to be licensed by states, creating a need for the bill. [Source: News Service of Florida]
As the climate warms, disease-carrying mosquitoes can adapt to temps, a UF study says
The mosquito’s ability to adapt to changing temperatures may be contributing to the spread of diseases, like dengue fever, Zika virus, and chikungunya virus. “We’ve been interested in climate change for awhile trying to understand why we get more disease in one location than another. And how these patterns of risk might change, as climate warms,” said Matthew Thomas, the director of the Invasion Science Research Institute within the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Science. [Source: WUSF]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› A new cellular therapy lab in Orlando will reduce chemo on kids with cancer
A new pediatric cancer treatment facility lab will be offering more innovative ways to fight off the disease in the form of cellular therapy On Wednesday, AdventHealth held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Cellular Therapy facility, which will allow lab techs to create immunity cells as a means of destroying cancer cells.
› Largo hospital nurses protest understaffing they say puts patients at risk
Frustrated that their concerns are not being listened to, close to two dozen nurses protested Monday morning outside the Largo hospital hoping to bring attention to a practice they say compromises patient care and safety and is causing burnout of registered nurses. The rally was one of several at HCA hospitals across Florida, including HCA Florida Oak Hill in Brooksville, that were coordinated by National Nurses United.
› Dozens of lives saved thanks to donations at CBS Miami Blood Drive event
There’s a critical blood shortage across the country, but just one donation can impact three lives. On Thursday, CBS News Miami teamed up with OneBlood and HCA Florida Healthcare to host two blood drive locations in Miami-Dade and Broward. In all, 45 units were donated, which translates to 135 lives impacted or saved. Pat Michaels with OneBlood explained the need to diversify the blood supply, particularly in South Florida.
› Court records paint dire financial picture of Steward’s Brevard hospitals
Steward Health Care System, which owns hospitals in Melbourne and Rockledge, is in trouble. Across the country, hospitals owned by Steward are under fire. In each case, the story is largely the same as the for-profit company leaves bills unpaid and goes silent when pressed by public officials.
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