Moderna, with new data, to seek clearance for COVID-19 vaccine in young children

Study results showed two shots of Moderna's vaccine led to similar immune responses as those observed in young adults, although protection against omicron was modest.

By Ben Fidler • March 23, 2022

Advocate Aurora's 2021 income, revenue rebound as patients return

The boost in non-COVID-19 patient services helped the 26-hospital Midwestern system offset rising labor and supply costs.

By Susan Kelly • March 22, 2022

15K Minnesota nurses are bargaining for new contracts

Current shortages and widespread issues recruiting and retaining staff are a central concern for hospitals, and could lend nurses more leverage in negotiations.

By Hailey Mensik • March 21, 2022

Moderna, citing need for 'flexibility,' seeks broad clearance of fourth COVID shot

Days after Pfizer asked U.S. regulators to authorize another booster for older adults, Moderna has followed with a similar request for all adults, arguing approval would "provide flexibility" to public health officials and doctors.

By Ben Fidler • March 18, 2022

Third of nurses plan to quit their jobs by end of 2022, survey shows

Nurses cited burnout and high-stress work environments as the No. 1 reason for leaving their jobs, followed by pay and benefits, according to a survey from staffing firm Incredible Health.

By Hailey Mensik • March 16, 2022

Pandemic hastens shift away from hospital inpatient care, Moody's reports

The transition to more treatment in the home and in lower-cost outpatient settings will persist, aided by reimbursement changes and advances in medical technology, the ratings agency said.

By Susan Kelly • March 16, 2022

Pfizer, BioNTech seek FDA clearance of 4th shot amid worries over next COVID wave

The companies are forging ahead with plans to provide a second booster to people over 65, citing evidence, largely from observational studies in Israel, that diminishing protection may be restored with an additional shot.

By Ben Fidler • March 16, 2022

Staffing shortages lead ECRI's annual list of patient safety concerns

The lack of workers is actively jeopardizing patient safety with many patients waiting longer for care, even in life-threatening emergencies, according to the report.

By Hailey Mensik • March 14, 2022

6 major regional health systems form alliance to share staffing resources

Advent Health, Atrium Health, Henry Ford Health System, Intermountain Healthcare, Northwell Health and OhioHealth will participate in reciprocal staffing arrangements.

By Hailey Mensik • March 11, 2022

Threats, obscenities, homicide: Healthcare workers stressed by pandemic face elevated violence

Millions of healthcare workers across the country are becoming inured to workplace violence, which can range from verbal abuse and threats to physical attacks and even homicide.

By Hailey Mensik • March 9, 2022

Moderna extends patent waiver for COVID vaccine, but only for lower-income countries

Health advocates say Moderna is narrowing its pledge not to enforce patents worldwide for the duration of the pandemic. But the company maintains that vaccine supply isn't a barrier to access anymore in higher-income countries.

By Jonathan Gardner • March 9, 2022

OSHA stepping up hospital inspections for COVID-19 mitigation efforts

The agency will ramp up investigations at healthcare facilities that previously received pandemic-related citations or complaints to make sure they're effectively prepared and able to prevent the rise of potential variants.

By Hailey Mensik • March 9, 2022

Healthcare job gains in February far exceed recent months

Healthcare added 64,000 jobs last month, though employment in the sector is still down by about 306,000 jobs, or 1.9%, since February 2020.

By Hailey Mensik • March 4, 2022

Primary care physician turnover costs payers almost $1B every year, study finds

Disruptions in care continuity when primary care providers leave their practices was a costly issue even before the pandemic, according to the American Medical Association.

By Hailey Mensik • March 3, 2022

FDA warns about unauthorized versions of rapid COVID-19 tests from 3 manufacturers

The manufacturers have all received emergency use authorizations for antigen tests. But the FDA has learned some unauthorized versions of their diagnostics have entered the country.

By Nick Paul Taylor • March 3, 2022

Biden discusses drug prices, mental health services in annual address

The president also announced a "test to treat" program that would allow people to receive a COVID-19 test at a pharmacy and immediately receive free antiviral pills, such as Pfizer's Paxlovid or Merck's molnupiravir.

By Shannon Muchmore • March 2, 2022

Hospital margins plummeted in January amid omicron

Providers and patients again delayed non-emergent care, either to mitigate the spread of the virus or preserve resources for patients with more urgent needs, according to Kaufman Hall.

By Hailey Mensik • March 1, 2022

Mayo Clinic's 2021 operating income climbs to $1.2B

In reporting its annual results, Mayo Clinic also said it is giving eligible staff members a 4% minimum salary increase in 2022.

By Susan Kelly • March 1, 2022

For-profits focus more on outpatient care as inpatient volume remains depressed

Inpatient volumes for non-COVID-19 care have flagged throughout the pandemic, leading some operators to focus more heavily on outpatient service lines like ASCs and freestanding emergency departments.

By Hailey Mensik • Feb. 28, 2022

HHS sets out plans to make medical device, diagnostics supply chains pandemic-proof

The department wants to shore up the public health supply chain by investing in personal protective equipment, durable medical equipment and testing. 

By Nick Paul Taylor • Feb. 28, 2022

Moderna bets on booster demand, advancing new 'bivalent' COVID-19 shot

The biotech will start trials in the U.S. and U.K. of a vaccine that targets both the original coronavirus strain and the omicron variant.

By Jonathan Gardner • Feb. 25, 2022

Another survey shows pandemic's persisting toll on healthcare workforce

Over half of the healthcare workers recently surveyed by USA Today and Ipsos Research said they are burned out. Nearly 40% agree with the statement: "The American healthcare system is on the verge of collapse."

By Hailey Mensik • Feb. 23, 2022

Sanofi and GSK, after delays, to seek clearance for COVID-19 vaccine

The companies' vaccine provided strong protection against severe illness in a large clinical trial. The long-awaited results could position it as a booster for people who have received other shots.

By Jonathan Gardner , Ben Fidler • Feb. 23, 2022

As pandemic lingers, more nurses consider leaving their jobs, survey finds

Roughly a third of nurses surveyed by McKinsey said they're considering quitting their jobs. That's up from 22% in a poll conducted last February.

By Hailey Mensik • Feb. 22, 2022

CommonSpirit posts operating loss in quarter, hurt by surging labor costs

One of the nation's largest nonprofit health systems also disclosed an agreement to acquire a pair of hospitals in the central U.S. for $135 million.

By Susan Kelly • Feb. 16, 2022