This week’s Friday Recap hosts links to articles on such topics as the pending Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of a much-anticipated antibiotic, an infographic depicting how and why healthcare organizations are using “the cloud,” and a new care-management assessment tool for high-risk patients.
- Sivextro, a new antibiotic developed by Cubist Pharmaceuticals, was designed to combat antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in the treatment of severe bacterial skin and soft-tissue infections, like methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (commonly known as MRSA). Modern Healthcare reports the highly anticipated drug was granted the Qualified Infectious Disease Product designation, which expedited its review and acceptance by the FDA.
- Florida has officially become the 23rd state to legalize the use of medical marijuana, as Gov. Rick Scott signed the “Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014” into law on June 16. The South Florida Business Journal explains the bill currently allows only the use of a low-THC strain of marijuana, called Charlotte’s Web, to be used for a range of medical conditions, including seizure disorders.
- HIT Consultant shares an infographic developed by HIMSS Analytics that shows how and why the 150 healthcare organizations surveyed use “the cloud” in healthcare. Many chose the connected-server computing model to better manage costs, give faster access to data and programs, and as a back-up and disaster recovery method.
- The Advisory Board Company launches a new care-management assessment tool for utilization with high-risk patients, such as those with chronic illnesses, behavioral health comorbidities, and psychosocial needs. The tool uses simple dropdown menus to help segment patient population and choose appropriate care plans.
- MedPage Today analyzes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s annual National Health Interview Survey of more than 100,000 people. Among the many data points gleaned: more than 33 million people persistently lacked access to healthcare for more than a year.
Have a wonderful weekend!
