Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Popular Sepsis-Predicting Algorithm Not As Accurate As Touted, Study Finds
Stat: A Popular Algorithm To Predict Sepsis Misses Most Cases, Study Finds
It was a win-win. Hospitals needed to prevent patient deaths from sepsis, a complication of infection; and Epic, the nation’s largest seller of medical records, needed users for its new product — an algorithm that could predict which patients would develop the condition so doctors could intervene earlier. Over the last few years, hundreds of hospitals have plugged in the algorithm without verifying its advertised 80% accuracy rate. Then a group of researchers at the University of Michigan started asking questions about its performance. (Ross, 6/21)
In other public health news —
Indianapolis Star: Toxic Cancer-Causing Contamination In Franklin May Have Spread, Report Says
A new study of the contamination in the groundwater under Franklin calls into question whether the toxic chemicals have spread farther beneath homes and the city than originally thought. Toxic sludge was first released into the sewers underneath the Johnson County city more than 50 years ago. But it wasn’t until just the last five years that federal and state agencies conducted extensive testing at and around the site to determine how far the contamination had moved. Then they began to clean it up, digging up the sewers and surrounding soils. (Bowman, 6/22)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Study Shows Emotions Key In Improving Heart Health In People With Obesity
A non-judgemental approach can play an important role in boosting heart health in people with obesity. The European Society of Cardiology concluded people who have obesity improved their heart and mental health in 10 weeks. They attended a non-judgemental, personalized lifestyle modification program during this period. Participants lost weight and saw improvements in anxiety, depression and blood pressure. (Willis, 6/21)
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer: Fatal Overdoses Linked To Fentanyl-Laced Drugs In GA
Officials in a coastal Georgia community have issued an “urgent” warning after reports of several overdoses linked to a batch of fentanyl-laced drugs, including marijuana. Officials responded to several calls involving a person unconscious or unresponsive on Friday, according to Camden County’s Emergency Management Agency. Responders used CPR and Narcan, a drug used to reverse opioid overdoses, to treat the victims — some of whom could not be revived, the agency said. (Kenney, 6/21)
Also —
NBC News: 'Friends' Actor James Michael Tyler, Who Played Gunther, Shares Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
James Michael Tyler, the actor who played sarcastic coffee shop employee Gunther on "Friends," opened up about his struggle with prostate cancer since being diagnosed in September 2018. Tyler told "TODAY" on Monday that the illness had not been caught early and had advanced to other parts of his body. (Breen, 6/21)
Carroll County Times: ‘Aiden’s Impact Will Be Forever’: Westminster Family Turns Tragedy Into Community Service
A Westminster couple took a tragic life event and decided to turn it into something that would help a number of other families struggling through difficult times. A year after losing one of their 2-year-old triplets, Aiden, to open heart surgery, Katelin and Tom Krueger created the Krueger Hat Trick Foundation, a nonprofit devoted to providing financial aid and hope for families affected by congenital heart defects/disease (CHD). According to the organization’s website, every year nearly 40,000 babies are born with CHD, which is nearly 110 children per day. Despite these numbers, they say CHDs are not widely known about and research is underfunded. (Bateman, 6/22)
