How to Keep Employees & Patients Safe During Elective Procedures

Immunity from Civil Liability During the Pandemic

With the uncertainty and ever-changing policies and guidance related to COVID-19, healthcare providers are struggling to keep up with the recommendations while also providing care in a difficult situation.

MGMA20: The Financial Conference

One of the last national conferences held before COVID-19 began spreading, MGMA20: The Financial Conference shared critical information that's now more important than ever.

FDA Approves the First Peanut Allergy Pill

Peanut allergies are the second most common food allergy in children, occurring in about one in 50 kids. "There is no cure for peanut allergies other than avoidance, so families naturally have a lot of concern about accidental contact," says Weily Soong, MD, who practices with Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center.

2020 Chronic Care Management Additions

Several years ago, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services released Chronic Care Management (CCM) to assist in improving the quality of chronic illness care which should result in better patient outcomes.

HIPAA Relaxation during COVID-19

Over the past several months, the Office for Civil Rights ("OCR"), the entity responsible for compliance with and enforcement of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and its implementing regulations ("HIPAA"), has issued several notices (and hosted a few webinars/conference calls) regarding HIPAA enforcement in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Diversion from Life's Path Leads Physicians on a New Journey

UAB emergency room physician Julian Maha, MD and his wife, UAB Pediatric Critical Care physician Michele Kong, MD were living their dream as successful physicians starting a family with endless opportunities ahead on the path of life.

Broken Heart Syndrome

We use the term 'broken heart' to describe someone suffering emotional distress, but not experiencing an actual medical condition. In cardiovascular medicine, however, this phrase is no longer strictly symbolic. Medical professionals now understand that there is a direct link between severe emotional and a serious cardiac condition.

All of Us Looks to Improve Care for Each of Us

The innovative All of Us initiative from the NIH provides researchers with a rich source of data to speed discoveries in both precision medicine and population health.

Meal Timing Strategies Appear to Lower Appetite, Improve Fat Burning

Researchers at UAB have discovered that meal timing strategies -- like intermittent fasting or eating earlier in the daytime -- appear to help people lose weight.

New Trial of Long-Acting HIV Medication

A new clinical trial led by the National Institutes of Health will evaluate the effectiveness of a long-acting antiretroviral therapy, or ART, combined with conditional economic incentives for patients living with HIV who have had a history of non-adherence to daily oral medication and treatment.

HHS Moves Forward with Prescription Drug Import Plan

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a proposed rule that would allow states to pursue pilot programs to import drugs from Canada and a draft guidance that would allow drugmakers to import their own products and sell them under different drug codes.

Proposed Stark Law Changes May Impact Physician Compensation Models

On October 9, 2019, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") proposed sweeping changes to the federal Physician Self-Referral Law, commonly referred to as the Stark Law.

Discussions among Physician Groups - Avoiding Antitrust Issues

Driven by Federal Health Care Reform and a desire to remain independent of hospitals and health care systems, physician groups are actively exploring different collaborative and alignment options, including the formation of independent practice associations (IPAs), integrated care networks (ICNs), and participation in accountable care organizations (ACOs).

HHS Issues Final Rule on Conscience Protections

On May 21, 2019, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued the final regulations referred to as the Federal conscience and anti-discrimination laws.

Genetic Aspects of Pregnancy

Merry Lynn Mann, MD, who practices reproductive medicine at ART Fertility Program, is uniquely credentialed with a fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility combined with board certification in genetics.

New Study Looks at Cost Impact of OTC Birth Control

A new study explores the impact on unintended pregnancies, consistent use of progestin-only OTC birth control pills at various price points.

Nursing During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Courage doesn't mean being unafraid. Rather, it is fortitude and selflessness that move some people beyond their own concerns to do what must be done.

It's Almost like Being There

The birth of a baby is one of the happiest events in a family's life, but when an infant is born prematurely the happiness can be mixed with worry.

Princeton is First to Use Pressure-Volume Loop System for Cardiac Patients in Alabama

Princeton Baptist Medical Center's cardiovascular program has undergone a major transformation, hiring an additional cardiologist, structural heart physician, and two cardiovascular surgeons as well as launching a number of major capital projects.

UAB Leads Team Researching COVID-19 Cure

While most Americans never gave any thought to the possibility of a pandemic until now, a group of researchers and virologists has been working to develop therapies for emerging uncontrolled infections long before COVID-19 came to dominate the headlines.

The Use of Biologic Injections in Orthopedics

The current hot topic within the field of orthopedics is biologic injections (i.e, PRP, stem cells). There is a great amount of research and marketing behind such injections, especially given the potential to help treat joint disease and tendinopathies.

Lanning Kline, MD Named Chair of American Board of Ophthalmology

The American Board of Ophthalmology has appointed Lanning Kline, MD as chair for 2020.

Executives Join Inspirien

Inspirien, a family of companies that includes management of a leading medical malpractice insurer and one of the strongest workers' compensation funds in Alabama, has added two executives to its new operation's leadership team.

Walk-in Orthopedic Urgent Care Clinic Opening in Hoover

The first OS1 Sports Injury Clinic is opening in Hoover on June 15 in The Village at Brock's Gap retail development.

Adam Carroll, MD Joins Grandview

Adam Carroll, MD, who is board certified in family medicine, has joined the Grandview Medical Group Primary Care practice at Lee Branch.

Andrews Sports Medicine Relocates Gardendale Clinic to Larger Location

As of June 1, Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center has relocated their Gardendale clinic to 323 Fieldstown Road.

Assurance Scientific Laboratories Authorized to Test COVID-19 At-home Specimens

Assurance Scientific Laboratories has been approved by the FDA as one of two laboratories to test specimens from Everlywell COVID-19 at-home test collection kits.

Honeycutt Named CEO of Innovation Depot

Drew Honeycutt, who has started and built multiple businesses in industries including software, real estate, and construction, is the new chief executive officer for Innovation Depot.

Encompass Health to Award Frontline Employees

Encompass Health Corp will award frontline employees in its 134 hospitals, 245 home health locations and 83 hospice locations with additional paid time off in recognition of their outstanding efforts during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Lee Burnett, MD Joins UCA Van Scott Cancer Center Team

Lee Burnett, MD has joined Urology Centers of Alabama. Barnett has been board-certified in Radiation Oncology since 2010 and holds committee appointments with the American Board of Radiology, the American Society for Radiation Oncology, and the American College of Radiation Oncology.

Southern AIDS Coalition Holds Lifting the Veil on HIV Summit

The South has a deep relationship with medical mistrust. In 1932, Macon County, Alabama, became home to the "U.S. Public Health Service Syphilis Study at Tuskegee" which is known as the Syphilis Experiment.

Citizens Baptist Celebrates 50 Years

On March 12th, Citizens Baptist Hospital held a celebration to commemorate its 50th year serving Talladega area patients.

Lahti and Pozzo-Miller Selected as Co-Directors

Adrienne Lahti, MD, the F. Cleveland Kinney Endowed Chair in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, has been selected as the director of the UAB Comprehensive Neuroscience Center (CNC).