Abstract Introduction: Residents who use multifunctional wheelchairs before nursing home admission often face discontinuation of such devices after nursing home admission. However, basic data on this issue remain limited. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to provide preliminary data by investigating the occurrence of fall-related fractures after nursing home admission, stratified by the type of wheelchair used before nursing home admission. Methods: We used linked long-ter

Abstract Importance   Hospitals have reported growing difficulty in discharging patients in a timely manner, often citing bottlenecks in postacute care. Medicare Advantage plans, now the dominant form of Medicare coverage, may contribute to these delays due to administrative and network constraints, yet national evidence is lacking. Objective   To quantify changes in hospital length of stay for Medicare Advantage vs traditional Medicare beneficiaries. Design, Setting, and Par

Abstract Background Closing the toilet lid before flushing is widely recommended to minimize the dispersal of pathogen-laden aerosols. However, an often-overlooked issue is that aerosols can still escape through the air gap between the bowl and seat even when the lid is closed. Methods We conducted a pilot investigation on how the gap height and lid influence droplet and bioaerosol escape in a seated toilet. Three microbes were studied, including one bacterium Escherichia col

Abstract Objectives To assess whether innovation in medical procedures and products—proxied by the expansion of Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes linked to Medicare Coverage Determinations (MCDs)—is associated with declines in disability among U.S. adults from 1997 to 2019. Methods We link HCPCS codes to ICD condition categories using Local Coverage Determinations (LCD) and merge these with Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data to construct 21 con

A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine  reveals a growing crisis in U.S. healthcare: nearly 5% of physicians left clinical practice in 2019—a 40% increase in just six years. Burnout, bureaucracy, and declining reimbursements are pushing doctors out of medicine. For every hour spent with patients, physicians spend nearly two on documentation, leaving little time for family or rest. Fear of malpractice lawsuits further fuels “defensive medicine,” where unne

St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne has sparked controversy after introducing a policy that fast-tracks Indigenous patients in its emergency department by automatically classifying them as “Category Three,” ensuring treatment within 30 minutes. The hospital argues this move aims to close the gap in emergency care outcomes after internal research showed Indigenous patients waited longer than others. However, critics, including Indigenous leader Nyunggai Warren Mundine, have con

A major European study published in the New England Journal of Medicine  suggests that prostate cancer screening can reduce deaths by 13%, strengthening the case for a UK screening program. The research, involving 162,000 men across eight countries over 23 years, found that one prostate cancer death was prevented for every 456 men invited for screening and for every 12 diagnosed cases. Experts say the results are comparable to those from breast and bowel cancer screening prog

New research presented at IDWeek 2025 revealed that deaths from Clostridioides difficile  infection (CDI) are significantly more common among White Americans and people living in large urban areas. Between 1999 and 2023, 83.9% of the 216,311 CDI-related deaths in the United States occurred in White individuals, compared with 8.1% in Black and 5.5% in Hispanic populations—despite their smaller share of the population. Researchers found that 83.8% of deaths were in metropolitan

Abstract Objectives Sacral neuromodulator implantation (SNM) is an advanced line of treatment for patients with overactive bladder (OAB) or underactive bladder (UAB). The procedure has two steps; patients who respond to temporary SNM proceed to permanent implantation. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the overall effectiveness of SNM in our patient population, as well as to identify potential correlations between patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and procedura

New research indicates that nearly 1 in 5 urinary tract infections (UTIs) in Southern California are linked to Escherichia coli  strains originating from food-producing animals, particularly chicken and turkey. Scientists from George Washington University and Kaiser Permanente Southern California analyzed over 5,700 E. coli  isolates from UTI patients and retail meat, using genomic sequencing and models to trace the bacterial origin. They found that 18% of UTIs were caused by

With the spread of the epidemic in 2019, hospitals became overcrowded, creating a need to relieve them of patients. This is how the Hospital at Home program actually appeared. The program has become a comfortable and efficient solution for both patients and hospitals. Many people have the opportunity to use this program, including patients with limited mobility and  urinary incontinence . In the United States, the Hospital at Home program was launched in 2020 with the support

Caring for a bedbound patient, especially one with dementia or in pain, can be challenging and stressful. Many caregivers face resistance when changing briefs, with patients pushing, shouting, or grabbing to prevent care. Nancy from Hospice Care Plan emphasizes the importance of preparation: always explain each step to the patient, use a turn sheet to avoid pulling on their body, and remain calm and reassuring. If the patient shows signs of pain, consult the hospice team or P

Accessible travel and outdoor recreation can offer enriching experiences for individuals with mobility challenges, as demonstrated at the North of North Resort in Ely, Minnesota. The resort features fully accessible cabins with roll-in showers, adjustable sinks, and easy dock access, allowing guests in wheelchairs to enjoy lakeside walks, canoeing, and nature exploration. Visitors navigated challenges such as uneven terrain and heavy equipment, highlighting the importance of

Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are increasingly targeting patients with complex chronic conditions, even as overall plan availability declines. Open enrollment for 2026 has seen a reduction in standard MA offerings in 35 states, with major insurers like Aetna and UnitedHealthcare shrinking their presence and some, such as Ochsner Health Plan and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, exiting certain markets. Contributing factors include reimbursement changes under the Biden admini

The concept of dying well is evolving in Australia, moving beyond the medicalization of death to embrace family-led and personalized deathcare. Zenith Virago, founder of the Natural Death Care Centre, exemplifies this shift. After personally guiding her friend’s post-mortem care, she has trained thousands of “deathwalkers” to support families in navigating dying, death, and bereavement with practical guidance and emotional presence. Family-led funerals, where loved ones parti

Abstract Background/Objectives : Falls are a major public health concern among older adults, often resulting in injury, mortality, and loss of independence. Understanding fall-related risk factors is essential for developing effective prevention strategies. This study examined the multifactorial risk assessment of falls among Thai community-dwelling older adults, aiming to identify and prioritize modifiable risk factors for targeted interventions in the Thai context. Methods

Abstract Background People living with long-term indwelling urinary catheterization at home are increasing globally. Few studies on prevalence have been done globally and none in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigated the prevalence and indications of long-term indwelling urinary catheterization (IUC) at home in Northwestern Tanzania and to determine the reasons for staying long with an indwelling urinary catheter after diagnosis of benign prostatic hypertrophy was confi

Amazon Pharmacy has launched in-office kiosks to help patients receive their medications immediately after doctor appointments, starting December 2025 in select One Medical locations across Los Angeles. This innovation aims to address a major health care gap—nearly one-third of prescriptions in the U.S. go unfilled, and many patients delay treatment due to the inconvenience of visiting a pharmacy. The kiosks bring the pharmacy directly to the point of care, allowing patients

Abstract Objective To evaluate the clinical outcomes and economic feasibility of Aquablation therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia...

Summary Background Conditioning with an alarm is one of the first-line treatments for enuresis. It is safe and has well-documented...