Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Faulty Pulse Oximeter Design Likely Hurt Care For Darker-Skinned Covid Patients
The Wall Street Journal: Pulse Oximeters Are Less Accurate Among Black, Hispanic And Asian Covid-19 Patients
Pulse oximeter measurements among Black, Hispanic and Asian Covid-19 patients were less accurate than measurements for white patients, a study showed, underscoring shortcomings in a critical device used to monitor the disease’s riskiest outcomes. The discrepancies may have led to some patients of color with severe disease receiving delayed or no treatment despite having oxygen levels low enough to warrant it, researchers said Tuesday in a study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine. (Mosbergen, 5/31)
Stat: Faulty Oxygen Readings Delayed Covid Care For Darker-Skinned Patients
Undetected low oxygen levels led to delays in Black and Hispanic patients receiving therapies such as the drugs remdesivir and dexamethasone. Widely used pulse oximeters, which measure oxygen levels by assessing the color of the blood, have been under increasing scrutiny for racial bias because they can overestimate blood oxygen levels in darker-skinned individuals and make them appear healthier than they actually are. A 2020 study comparing oxygen levels measured by the devices with readings taken from “gold standard” arterial blood samples found pulse oximeters were three times less likely to detect low oxygen levels in Black patients than in white patients. (McFarling, 5/31)
Nevada demands answers after faulty covid tests —
Las Vegas Review-Journal: Northshore’s COVID Tests ‘Terribly Wrong,’ Lab Supervisor Says
The Nevada public health laboratory supervisor who detected that a Chicago-based lab’s COVID-19 testing was missing most positive cases said the operation’s data was so flawed as to suggest it had not even run the tests. Skeptical that Northshore Clinical Labs’ COVID-19 testing operation on the University of Nevada, Reno campus was providing accurate results, a university official sent specimens to both the Chicago lab and the Nevada State Public Health Laboratory. The Nevada state lab determined that Northshore’s PCR testing had missed 96 percent of positive cases, a finding reported in a ProPublica investigation, which said officials never arrived at a clear explanation for the unreliable results. (Hynes, 5/31)
Las Vegas Review-Journal: Susie Lee Says Northshore Exploited Nevada With Faulty COVID-19 Tests
Rep. Susie Lee demanded accountability for Northshore Clinical Labs, a company that contracted with local governments in Nevada for COVID-19 testing but whose results were almost entirely wrong. “This lab exploited Nevada and other states for its own gain when we were at our most vulnerable,” said Lee, D-Nev., in a statement to the Review-Journal. “Through its reprehensible actions, it encouraged the spread of COVID-19 and put an even heavier burden on our already strained hospitals,” Lee said. “These bad actors must be held accountable.” (Martin and Robertson, 5/31)
On vaccines —
Bloomberg: Covid Booster Shots Are Key To Stopping Severe Infection: Study
A third dose of messenger RNA Covid-19 vaccine provides a key boost to immunity against the coronavirus, regardless of the original type of immunization, researchers said. An mRNA booster following an initial course of two shots of the same type is the most effective way to prevent non-severe Covid infections, according to an analysis of studies published Wednesday in the BMJ medical journal. Adding a third mRNA shot to other primary vaccination regimens raises protection to almost the same level, the authors from the Chinese University of Hong Kong said. (Hernanz Lizarraga, 5/31)
Axios: Novavax (Finally) Prepares For Takeoff In The U.S.
As one of America's first big bets under Operation Warp Speed, Novavax's COVID vaccine is notably late to the party as the Maryland biotech seeks a potential FDA emergency use authorization for its COVID shot. But company leaders say they see a clear runway to market success for its protein-based product — not only as a booster for the vaccinated but as an alternative first-line defense for those who've refused mRNA shots. (Reed, 5/31)
Axios: The Evolution Of Omicron Potentially Creates A New Vaccine Dilemma
Efforts to update COVID vaccines can't seem to keep up with changes in the virus itself. New variants appear to be even more immune-resistant than the original Omicron strain, raising the possibility that even retooled vaccines could be outdated by the time they become available this fall. Preliminary data suggests that the most recent Omicron subvariants are significantly different from the original version that began spreading late last year. (Owens, 6/1)
On ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine —
St. Louis Public Radio: Missouri Bill Would Block Pharmacists From Ivermectin Advice
A bill passed by the Missouri legislature this past session prohibits pharmacists from telling patients about dangers related to certain medications — specifically, ivermectin or hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets. If signed into law by Gov. Mike Parson, House Bill 2149 would prevent pharmacists from questioning physicians or patients about the two medications, both sometimes used to treat COVID-19 despite having no FDA clearance for that use. (Woodbury, 5/31)
The Washington Post: San Diego Doctor Jennings Staley Sentenced In Hydroxychloroquine Scheme
In March and April of 2020, as the coronavirus spread and people isolated in their homes, a doctor in San Diego boasted that he had his hands on a “miracle cure,” according to prosecutors — hydroxychloroquine. In mass-marketing emails from his business, Skinny Beach Med Spa, Jennings Ryan Staley said the drug was included in his coronavirus “treatment kits,” despite the medication becoming increasingly scarce. But Staley had a way of getting it, he later told an undercover federal agent. He planned to smuggle in a barrel of hydroxychloroquine powder with the help of a Chinese supplier, prosecutors said. Staley was sentenced last week to 30 days in prison and a year of home confinement for the scheme. He pleaded guilty last year. (Peiser, 5/31)
